Bongo Fury

Our Bongo is not starting from cold. It takes about five minutes of repeated key turning and then eventually (hopefully) it finally starts with a mass of black smoke. Once warm it is fine and can be restarted easily. Can anybody diagnose? Could it possibly be something to do with the glow/plug coil (if that's what it is called) not operating?
Thanks for your help

Most cases of this kind are down to one or more glowplugs failing.

Mine does the same unless I leave the ignition on for a few seconds after the glowplug light goes out, I tend to wait for the roof/sediment lights to dim & the radio to come on before cranking then it's crisp & smooth rather than lumpy & smokey,

Give it a go.

Yep sounds like glowplugs - is the light coming on and going out after a few seconds?

The black smoke is all the unburnt fuel you've pumped in during the churning over.

Try turning it off and on again a few times when the light goes out before trying to start it, to see if that helps.

Had the same problem a few weeks back. It were them danged glowplugs! Bought a new set and changed them using the Data-Sheet on this site; also helps to have a good set of sockets, especially the long reach ones.
Cold early morning start needs 15 sec wait after turning on ignition; you'll hear the relay switch off. Then turn the key and it will start like a dream. Also allow the engine to warm up; let it idle for 5 - 10 mins.
Pete.

Some glowplug sizes differ on bongo's, if you decide it's a garage job, it may be worth mentioning to the mechanic.

In the meantime, much along the lines of scanner's suggestion, do a three or four cycle of "glowplug" light, then let the light extinguish, wait 5 seconds, then crank the engine, with a spot of "gas".

Chances are that only one plug is iffy/lazy, but, as with spark plugs, i suggest replacing all four.