Bongo Fury

Hi everyone, we have recently become the proud owner of our very own Bongo! It is fantastic and we are both chuffed to bits with it. However, the high pitched squeal/noise the engine makes will not go away. The noise occurs (is noticable) at low revs (1500-3000) when the accelerator pedal is pressed only. Good examples, pulling out of junctions or at traffic lights. The noise is still there even when turning. I have discovered today that after a short run (20 miles to Newbury), the noise disappears, (perhaps the engine is warm) .

(Many thanks for the recommended Mazda Bongo friendly garages, as listed on the BF website. My friendly garage were ace. Even though I had never spoken spoken to them before, Fred very kindly took my bongo for a spin to have a look. Sure enough when you want the noise to perform, it didn't, it was quiet as a mouse. ......

Fred kindly offered to have another look when the engine was cold. I politely declined, as the garage whom I purchased the Bongo from, have agreed to take a look.

Previous threads on the Forum have suggested that the problem could be a damaged/sheared manifold stud. However, if it was a damaged manifold stud, surely one would hear the noise, at all times? I do not suspect problems with fan belts, etc as they were all replaced at time of purchase.

The performance of our Bongo does not appear to be affected and we can certainly live with it. Although, it does get a little irritating at times.

I am very curious to find out what causes our bongo to squeal. I would be very grateful to receive any thoughts on the problem or where I can find further information.

Many thanks

Simon

The cylinder head, and manifold will expand slightly as they get warmer, as they do, the gap between the head and manifold gets smaller, sealing the leak.

I don't recall hearing of this issue on the V6 before.

The sheared exhaust manifold stud is on the diesel models only AFAIK.
New belts may well need adjusting after a short time. They are also more likely to be noisy when it's very cold (as it has been lately) because they are stiffer than normal - noise goes when they get warm and more flexible.

Hi,
I agree with Franco,sounds like your belt (s) slipping to me.
Retensioning slightly could stop the squealing

Yup - classic symptoms of a slipping belt. That'd be my first check

Hi,

Many thanks for your kind responses.

I will get the belts checked out asap and I will let you all know about the outcome.

Many thanks again

UPDATE

Sure enough when I arrived at the Garage, (where we purchased our Bongo), the noise had disappeared, after a 90mile journey. The garage sprayed the 'belts'. However, when I left the Garage (after the Bongo had rested for about 1 hour) the noise was back and on good form. I went back to the Garage and we took the Bongo out for a spin. Thankfully the noise was still there.

Garage diagnosis: the belts are new and need to be 'worn in'. To be fair, we do not use our Bongo that often, at the moment, probably once every 7 -10 days. We have done approx 700 miles since we bought our bongo. The noise is expected to disappear in the short term and certainly by the Summer.

Apart from the noise, our Bongo appears to be in super condition and drives beautifully! I will keep monitoring the squeal/noise and hopefully it will go away.

Many thanks again for all your responses!

Simon & Caz

Slightly cynical about belts needing to be worn in, would this expected period of "running in" then put the bongo outside of the warranty sounds like the pulleys may need deglazing to me at the very least. I'd expect a more positive result personally, but I may be wrong.

I agree with Kirsty, I've never heard of belts wearing in either. They often need adjusting after a few hundred miles, but they won't wear in and get better all by themselves

Tell me,did the mechanic give a sharp intake of breath before making that
remarkable statement.I have never heard such a ridiculous opinion,but then
i could be mistaken (NOT).What did he spray on the belt WD40 lol

Rubbish...belts breaking in...Rubbish. They are loose..tighten em'

Hi
Perhaps if you put your location in your details, someone local will be able to help, and , yes, running in a belt is a total lie. Make them fix it or pay for someone more competent to do so
Cheers
Helen

Many thanks for your kind responses!

We agree and think it would be best to have a second opinion. We will let you know how we get on!

Thanks again

Si & Caz
Oxford

simoningledew wrote:Many thanks for your kind responses!

We agree and think it would be best to have a second opinion. We will let you know how we get on!

Thanks again

Si & Caz
Oxford

Good luck you guys and keep us posted. I'm still smiling at the 'forthright opinions' offered above. It's what needs to be said though, in your best interest.

UPDATE

Our Bongo has finally returned after 4 weeks at the Garage. Sadly, the noise is still there

In a nutshell, the garage have acknowledged there is a noise. However, they do not know what the problem is.

Apparently, our Bongo was also sent to an independent garage, for a second opinion, without a sucessful diagnosis. There may be a problem with 'transmission/torque'. However, they said that this is an expensive repair and they are unwilling to incur the costs until they know for certain what the problem is.

Conclusion: The garage requested that I bring the Bongo back when the noise gets worse or 'something breaks'. They also verbally agreed to repair any consequential damage that may occur.

Sadly,an unsatisfactory conclusion.

Our Bongo still drives superbly despite the noise. No apparent problems with the automatic gearbox. The noise is very difficult to describe. My Wife thinks it sounds like a high pitched 'Hum', whereas I think it sounds like a 'moaning' Sea Lion with a high pitch.

I suspect it is probably in our best interests to pay for an independent inspection.

Will keep you posted.

Si & Caz