Clogged-up running?!

[steamydave]

Hi,

I've always been impressed with the power and acceleration of my Bongo. Often out-pulling other cars who deliberately go into the 2nd lane at traffic lights so as not to be stuck behind the "camper van"!

However, a while ago I noticed that the performance was getting worse and worse. To the point where it would take a couple of seconds before the Bongo would accelerate away.

First thought was a fuel blockage. However, once the Bongo picked up revs (eventually) it would then pull away nicely - so that suggested that the fuel was able to flow!

Changed the fuel filters no change.

It seemed a classic case of turbo-lag!

Since then, I have found that if I give the engine a good blast (ie over 4,000 rpm for a few seconds), it seems to clear the system out (sometimes with a good puff of black smoke), and the Bongo goes back to the beast it used to be for a week or so.

I try to drive economically, which I think ends up sooting up the turbo.

Anyone else had a similar problem?

Dave

[daveblueozzie]

Try the simple approach first. Have you used injector cleaner, that might help ,it may be just blocked fuel jets that need a clean.
Simple to use, just unscrew fill the fuel filter ,empty the diesel out ,fill with injector fluid and away you go.
Just give it a bit of an Italian tune up to clear the jets, it might work and nothing to loose, and clean jets.
And dont forget to check the banjo filter on top of the fuel pump just to make sure its not blocked.

[bigdaddycain]

Does your bongo have the winter pack fitted Steamy?

[missfixit70]

Wonder if it's the egr valve playing up, could be time to blank it off if it hasn't been done already?

[steamydave]

Thanks for the replies.

I've not noticed the winter switch as described and I like to think that I know what all the switches on the dash do, but you know how it is, its probably there and I've missed it! I don't think so though.

I don't think the egr valve has already been done. Maybe that then.

At the moment I'm happy to give it a blast from time to time, but something to keep an eye on I suspect.

Having a pre-mot check and MOT this week, so I'll see if anything comes to light whilst we are under she prodding and poking!

Dave

[dandywarhol]

When did you last look at the air filter condition - while you're at it - might be worth seeing there's no wildlife jammed in the air intake...........................

[steamydave]

Hi,

The air filter was checked and blown-through a couple of months ago.

I still have a gut-feeling that it is the way I drive. On mostly B roads, I rarely go above 2,000 rpm (other than pulling away), and the Bongo usually pops into top gear most of the time so bumbles along at 1,500 or so for a lot of the journey.

A good blast chucks out a lot of soot in the form of black smoke from time to time, but once clear no more black smoke, so its not oil being burned or anything more serious (I hope!).

The other thing is, once cleared, the symptoms go away again, so I don't think it is anything mechanical or a blockage otherwise the symptoms would be there more often.

Thanks

Dave

[mikeonb4c]

Hi,

The air filter was checked and blown-through a couple of months ago.

I still have a gut-feeling that it is the way I drive. On mostly B roads, I rarely go above 2,000 rpm (other than pulling away), and the Bongo usually pops into top gear most of the time so bumbles along at 1,500 or so for a lot of the journey.

A good blast chucks out a lot of soot in the form of black smoke from time to time, but once clear no more black smoke, so its not oil being burned or anything more serious (I hope!).

The other thing is, once cleared, the symptoms go away again, so I don't think it is anything mechanical or a blockage otherwise the symptoms would be there more often.

Thanks

Dave

Out of interest, what happens (or would happen) if you put some of that diiesel injector cleaning additive into a tank of fuel?

[wonkanoby]

best im aware thats how they say use it

[dandywarhol]

If you're bumbling along at a couple of thousand revs then the turbo is hardly spinning - not surprising you're chucking out coal when you open up

Remove the fuel filter, empty the canister (replace it if its old) and fill it with injector cleaner. That'll soon clear its lungs!