Bongo Fury

It was minus 10 degrees (or lower) in many parts of the UK last night. We have had 3 reports this morning of Bongos that will not start at all, and on inspection the coolant in the header tank has frozen solid. Others will know more than me, but I suspect this is caused by not having enough antifreeze in the coolant. Or perhaps none at all. Bu whatever you do, don't attempt to thaw the vehicle and then start the engine as you may crack the cylinder head.

If the coolant in the header tank has frozen you should also check that any core plugs have not been pushed out on the engine block as the water freezes in the block.

No problems with mine yet, but can anyone tell us where these core plugs are via the lush Project diagrams and give an indication on how to get them back in place when engine has thawed out. Do you just hammer them with a rubber or wooden mallet or are they just nuts that require tightening up again. Almost a foot of snow outside so my Bongo is hibernating for the winter after a recent coolant change at 50/50 strength.

Tony

MountainGoat wrote:No problems with mine yet, but can anyone tell us where these core plugs are via the lush Project diagrams and give an indication on how to get them back in place when engine has thawed out. Do you just hammer them with a rubber or wooden mallet or are they just nuts that require tightening up again. Almost a foot of snow outside so my Bongo is hibernating for the winter after a recent coolant change at 50/50 strength.

Tony

Not sure where the core plugs are Tony, but with a recent antifreaze replacement you should be OK. When your van was converted was the rear heater matrix by-passed. If not get a bit of insulation under the pipes wherer they pass up through the chasis behind the drivers door, if you are not running the van for a while. Don't go mad with the sledging and snow ball fights now!!!

All the best

David.

The plugs are listed in the diagrams V6 ones here http://www.lushprojects.com/bongopartsm ... no=.html#4
Diesiel ones here http://www.lushprojects.com/bongopartsm ... mgno=.html
2.0l petrol here http://www.lushprojects.com/bongopartsm ... mgno=.html

They are marked as Plug or Plug blind, no idea if they are replaceable without taking the engine out! I do know that on old tractors it was a common problem and yes if not damaged / split they could be hammered back in - not sure that is viable these days!!

Fit new ones if you can if they pop out, fitting with a length of wood same size as inside after a light smear of the outside edge with hermatite or Silicon then tap home, access is usually the problem though.

Had 2 Bongos phone me co's they were frozen solid.......one had used heaters to thaw and all the rusty water poured out of the bottom (no antifreeze).....only had it 3 weeks Bought it from a Bongo company/converters in the South......"wonderful"

haydn callow wrote:Had 2 Bongos phone me co's they were frozen solid.......one had used heaters to thaw and all the rusty water poured out of the bottom (no antifreeze).....only had it 3 weeks Bought it from a Bongo company/converters in the South......"wonderful"

I guess it is easy to aportion blame..... I would just add though that a) you would have thought a Bongo company would have made sure any vehicle would have correct coolant in....not just for cold protection but for hot protection too before sale.....and b) you would also thought a Bongo owner would also be knowledgeable , at purchase,about whether the coolant had been changed or not and so protected especially with winter close by.
I guess hindsight is a wonderful thing and assumptions could have been made, rightly or wrongly by a) the Bongo company and b) the owner that the vehicle would be okay..... a lesson for us all....

Time to keep a bonfire going under the bongo at night like the russians did in the war to stop the fuel freezing

Or move to Panama for the winter after watch Robson Green's 'Extreme Fishing' last night

I don't think there is any excuse for a company to sell a vehicle without at least giving it a 'once over'

mikexgough wrote:

haydn callow wrote:Had 2 Bongos phone me co's they were frozen solid.......one had used heaters to thaw and all the rusty water poured out of the bottom (no antifreeze).....only had it 3 weeks Bought it from a Bongo company/converters in the South......"wonderful"

I guess it is easy to aportion blame..... I would just add though that a) you would have thought a Bongo company would have made sure any vehicle would have correct coolant in....not just for cold protection but for hot protection too before sale.....and b) you would also thought a Bongo owner would also be knowledgeable , at purchase,about whether the coolant had been changed or not and so protected especially with winter close by.
I guess hindsight is a wonderful thing and assumptions could have been made, rightly or wrongly by a) the Bongo company and b) the owner that the vehicle would be okay..... a lesson for us all....

Surely ANY vehicle sold without adequate coolant in the system is "not fit for purpose" - I'd be
looking to the seller to put it right.

haydn callow wrote:I don't think there is any excuse for a company to sell a vehicle without at least giving it a 'once over'

Haydn - don't get me started - extremely sore point at the moment!!


Thank goodness that I have pored over this website and forum prior to collection - it went straight into Discount Trucks who did the necessary with flushing out the old coolant and getting the UK grade coolant into it for me (thats my v technical explanation - hope you all managed to follow it!)

Hugs to all those people have problems though - its sickening

May i bring your attention to a topic i started way back in warm sunny september


http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/ ... =3&t=43741


I can't believe that people are still ignorant to the needs of any water cooled engine

I think that the problem is that modern cars are generally so reliable that unless you are of the generation where you could do your own servicing the day to day details pass you by.

The vast majority of vehicles don't get looked at from one service to the next. Look at the frightening statistics about tyre wear and inflation.

Bongos are probably better than most because its a bit of a speciality vehicle which most owners take personal care of.

I agree though that its not on for a vehicle to be sold by a dealer and checked properly.

Sounds like one of a couple of "Bongo specialists" round here, who are in fact only specialists in the joinery used for the conversion.

A horrible trap to fall into, buying from a dealer, you should be able to assume the basics have been checked. Probably it never crossed the purchasers mind that there would be no antifreeze. I suppose the Bongo is so difficult to bleed that the absolute cack handed and ignorant just steer clear.

Apart from the real experts, it takes a fair few weeks to get the hang of something as different as a Bongo. Realising the weak points and what could be bodged and codged needs a serious study of the forum, plus some acquaintance with the workings of the motor trade. The difference between a proper service and a "pre delivery inspection" as offered by some dealers is not obvious to a novice. A full check of all levels is assumed, as opposed to "got four wheels Bert? There's five here, six with the steering one. Some one's in luck then, check over".

A different experience from buying an almost new mainstream car with full service records. This does sound like a case for trading standards though. Auctions and dock sides are buyer beware, dealers should not be.