Bongo Fury

Hello,

Just back from A 2 week tour of scotland, before we left i had the bongo in garage for a service and also had the atf changed. While we were away the bongo started playing up in the mornings. Every morning it would just stall every time i put my foot on the gas. I had to bounce it in and out of gear to get it going, once going it would be ok for the whole day. There was also sometimes a scraping sound.

So...... when i got home i took it back to the garage. I left it with him over night so he could see for himself. i returned today he said gearbox is f***ed! "the bit that tells gears to stop when brake is on is broken" something like that!

So.... What to do?
1: Second hand box
2: Recon Box
3: Give up and sell bongo(very Tempted)

How much would it cost to have box reconditioned?

i really can't afford to spend anymore on it!

Thanks Alex

You need to find a garage that specialises in automatic transmissions -- repairing the existing transmission could well be the cheapest option.

ok my mechanic kept the bongo for a couple of days, he said he found a dodgy spring in the gearbox and replaced it. The next morning when he tried the gearbox it was fine no problems. so i was happy i drove it all day yesterday and it was perfect all day.

then this morning...Exactly the same as before!!! I think ill have to take your advice and take it to a specialist.

Anyone know of a Bongo Friendly Specialist in or around coventry??

Thanks for your Help!! Alex.

May be worth giving Dunnings Automatics in Weymouth a ring on 01305783113, they may be able to help or know of someone up that way, if no-one local comes up with anything or there's nothing in the Bongo friendly garage list in the Members area.

is it a 2wd or 4wd bongo???

contact ian taylor (japcarinports) on 01630 656006 as he has a good 2wd gearbox for sale and if you are in the AA or RAC they can get you there and job done

its a 4wd im so dissapointed i may have to get rid!! there are a few gearbox specialists in coventry. just dont know if there anygood with bongos. ill have to give em a try eh? i'll try Dunnings aswel!

Thanks Alex

It may be cheaper to fit a secondhand box from a breaker such as Bellhill, if you can get the bongo recovered to them, they'd fit it too I think.
If you want to go for a repair & your local gearbox guys aren't au fait with the bongo, I'm sure Dunnings would help them out if they needed, but I guess an autobox is an autobox, if it's your trade, it shouldn't be too hard.

there is a gearbox specialists in hednesford by the railway station if thats any good to you

The bongo auto box is a nissan unit that is not too uncommon, and is a very conventional design according to the automatic transmission specialist who replaced the solenoid pack in my bongo's trans. A specialist should be able to give you an estimate for parts and labour to repair -- and you could also ask how many hours of labour it would likely be to replace your trans with a second-hand one. However -- if your trans works fine except for the one fault, then it may be better to stick with it rather than replace with a used box.