Just bought myself a lovely 1996 Bongo 2.5 diesel auto with full professional side conversion. I've had v-dubs and motorhomes when my kids were younger but I absolutely love my new Bongo!!!
This is my first Bongo so I'm on a fast learning curve and I have a few questions which I'd really appreciate some help with. Could any of you kind souls please point me in the direction of the correct guidance? Many thanks...
1. The engine makes a really loud screeching sound when I accelerate. It only screeches when I actually welly it. If I coast or just cruise it's not quite so bad, but it's always there apart from at very low speeds. The pitch or volume of the screech doesn't go with the revs of the engine - nor does it go with how far the accelerator is depressed. Instead it goes with how hard I push the engine. On the motorway for example it seems not so bad on the level below about 30mph, but the harder I accelerate the higher pitched and louder the screeching sound. Once I reach cruising speed and slacken off the gas a bit then it quietens down a fair bit, but then if I wanted to overtake or climb a hill it comes back with a vengeance. The screech is always there - it's just much louder when I ask the engine to work hard. It's been suggested that all Bongos make that noise. It's also been suggested that it's the turbo bearing. I have my doubts. I've also read something on here about a missing manifold stud. The dealer said a new turbo is about £20 and a couple of hours labour, but I wasn't sure about that. He said he would send me a replacement turbo. Any ideas fellas?
2. It all looks a bit rusty underneath. I'm aware that they were never undersealed in their oriental incarnation and that ideally they should be now that they've arrived here in these damp salty climes. Should I get this done? If so how much should I expect to pay and where could I get it done (SE London or NW Kent)?
3. Does anyone know a good, reliable, reasonably priced, trustworthy specialist Bongo garage in SE London or NW Kent?
4. The dealer had acquired this Bongo with a cracked head. He replaced it and the rad, and gave it a full service. From what little I've now read, Bongos are prone to cooling problems from incorrect fluid maintenance and coolant bleeding. When I viewed it I turned on the engine and let it tick over for about 40 mins. Then I test drove it. Then I let it tick over for another 30 mins. The temp needle gradually rose to about a quarter of the full gauge after the 1st 10 minutes and then stayed there for the rest of the time. 'Good' I thought. Then I bought it and took it on a 2 hour motorway drive home. About 20 mins into the journey the gauge dropped off the scale (cold) and stayed there for the rest of the journey home, even through London traffic towards the end of my journey - apart from a random period on the motorway when it rose to a quarter for about 10 minutes and then back off the zero scale again. In hindsight I probably should have stopped, but the engine performed faultlessly, delivery cracking (but squeely) power. Also the heater seemed very inefficient. All in all it just felt like the engine was running really cold. Now that I've read a bit more it seems more likely that the coolant needs bleeding properly. Am I right, or is this a different problem?
Many thanks in advance for anyone's help.
Cheers
Chris
are you under warranty from your dealer.
I'm afraid I agree with Ady, the only reason I can see that the temp gauge would drop off when you actually get out for a run is the lack of stat, I would have this vehicle checked over by a third party and then return to the dealer with the findings and a list of things to put right or my money back.
Get in touch with Trading Standards for their advice. Even without a warranty, I believe the goods have to be of merchantable quality and,as they've worked on the cooling system, they should know about a missing thermostat. 
The trouble seems to be that you don't know if that will cure the problems you've described.