Headgasket gone!

[creepyc]

My 1998 2.5 TD Bongo expired today, Overheated followed by lots of smoke!
RAC recovery diagnosed , it as a head gasket, followed by a mechanic friend diagnosing the same.
Loads of bubbling in the water tank, lots of pressure built up in the radiator, now it does not even start.

I've been pricing up the following parts to get the work done

Head gasket set £80
Waterpump £39
Cambelt Kit £57
Thermostat £15
Head bolts £27
Head skim £60-£70

Looking for advice or guides, things that I may have overlooked and a realistic idea of labour time so I can get an idea on costs....the big question is it really worth it

Any help appreciated

[francophile1947]

I'm afraid it's more common for the head itself to have gone and you are looking at a total of £1200 - £1500 Yours does sound pretty bad as it will not even start

[haydn callow]

Yep..get the head tested.....you might see small cracks around the exaust valves.....even if the head passes the test it could still be faulty...personally I would just replace it anyway....TOP TIP..get it to a Bongo Fury approved garage....
Make sure they check the top of the block for being true
Many others have tried and failed.

[creepyc]

Cheers all.....I think it decission time!
The had all of the body work done in the summer and the rust is already creeping back through.
Heated does not work, Speedometer works when it wants...lots of small problems together with this huge problem.....If it was a £700 or below job then I'd fix it but this sounds critical!

Any tips or contacts for breaking Bongo's?
Unfortunetly I don't have the space to break it down and sell parts on eBay

Sad day...time for a bottle if wine or two!

[mikeonb4c]

Very sad to hear your news creepyc. I noticed some supply and fit prices on ebay that I wonder might not make an interesting alternative. But if there's a load of other stuff (esp the rust) looking to add to the troubles, I can see your dilemma. Ebay might well be worth a go as I think there is a small market of people who are happy to buy a broken Bongo cheap and get it on the road, becuase they have the skills, tools and enthusiasm. You might get £1000-£1500 for it that way (complete guess but...based on one or two I'e seen go on ebay like that... )

[francophile1947]

Sad news If you could get it started, it might be worth trying Steel Seal (see http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/ ... al#p366067) - it only costs about £30 but probably won't work if it's chucking out loads of water from the exhaust.

[mattnicks]

Had the same recently, was devastated.. personally I wouldn't bother skimming head, I put new one on mine cost about £570 for the head. if your interested can get you details of engineering firm I got it from.

Matt

[creepyc]

Had the same recently, was devastated.. personally I wouldn't bother skimming head, I put new one on mine cost about £570 for the head. if your interested can get you details of engineering firm I got it from.

Matt

Cheers for the replies, if you don't mind me asking, how much did it cost all in with all parts and labour?

Many thanks

[mattnicks]

Luckily the garage were I got it from picked the bill up as t was just outside of the warranty.. fair play to them.

They sent the head to the engineering company and the stripped it and put the valves etc into new one then sent it back, that cost came to total of £570 give or take a quid. then your looking at belt kit,water pump,head bolts and labour etc.
let me know if you want details of engineering company..

matt

[mister munkey]

2 years ago my brand new head was £1100 all in.

3 weeks ago replaced head gasket £360.

[creepyc]

Thanks for the info all...

I think I'll sleep on it but if its looking like no change from £1K then I think it may be a sad day for the Bongo

[You've Been Bongod]

pm sent

[creepyc]

Thanks for all the information, bit the bullet and sold it!

It's cost me far too much money recently with it's "Features" so this was onare issues to far...

[mikeonb4c]

Thanks for all the information, bit the bullet and sold it!

It's cost me far too much money recently with it's "Features" so this was onare issues to far...

Sorry to hear that but wow - sounds like it sold quick anyway, which might not always be the case with any old car. Hope you got something OKish for it and that new owner may restore it to roadworthiness. Take care dude