Bongo Fury

I sent the Bongo in for a service yesterday only to find it has a oil leak by the intercooler and on the rocker cover and possibly the head gasket needs to be changed as well as a fuel leak from the pump. To top it off they also said the exhaust was in bad condition and hanging on by a thread.

I am going to take it back next week for the additional works as I knew about the intercooler leak and had a suspicion about the head gasket so you cant be to careful. Does anybody have any idea what I might expect to pay for everything, leaks, exhaust and pump etc.

Are you sure the rocker cover and head gaskets aren't just the goo from the EGR? It is always found at the front of the engine on the driver's side.

Definitely sounds like you would be well advised to have it into a garage who are familiar with Bongos for a second opinion. As Francophile says - the shiny "leak" visible on the front of the engine on the driver's side is not uncommon (almost all have this), and is not a problem - certainly not a head gasket leak.

Fuel leaks from the pump are more of an issue, but not the end of the world.

Is the garage you used familiar with Bongos? They do have their own 'known features', and for that reason it's best to use a garage who are familiar with these.

We have had the Bongo since September last year and the oil has been on the rocker cover since then but I know the inter-cooler problem is a problem because its leaking on the drive.

I took the Bongo into GJB Autos of New Romney Kent which I got from the list of garages on here but if anyone knows of somewhere else in the South Kent area I am open to suggestions.

The leak near the intercooler could be the transmission connection at the bottom of the radiator...or even the pinion oil seal on the power steering ......both easy and cheap fixes....

Definitely take it to a bongo garage, saw 2 cars recovered to 321 last week (as closest garage), 1 had big AA sticker, dont start, head gasket gone/leaking, even had a work sheet saying the car had failed sniffer test etc, err no, just hadnt been bled properly!, second was RAC different circumstances but still as stupid!!

What symptoms do you have hat make you think you have a head problem? As stated, the rocker leak is most likely cause for 'head gasket leaking', garages look at it running down the side of the block and get confused! fuel pump is just the seal replacement.

Oil leak by intercooler is as above power steering/transmission cooler or intercooler needs cleaning out/pipes have started to allow oil so seep through. Intercoolers leak air, not oil!

The moral of the story? 'DONT beleive they hype! unless your dealing with someone who knows bongos'

Julian

A bit like saying I agree with Nick (and most of us wish we hadn't) but I do agree with Julian, some garages either mis interpret what they are seeing or talk it up into a big job or just simply don't understand what they are doing, you have to make your own mind up which sadly.

certainly needs intercooler cleaned out and pipes and then rockercover and block and anywhere else covered in oil cleaned of and then rocker cover bolts nipped up and all hoses tightened and then when cleaned checked again in a week or so, rocker cover gasket may need replacing and may be getting some gunk coming off the EGR valve but these may then be fairly minor and can be put up with as they are a trait of Bongo's. Diesel pump seal or a loose union again a normal job on a Bongo. I have had to do loads with diesel everywhere and it was no more than a loose injector pipe after repairs by a numpty garage or a leaking copper washer, and the customer had been advised major work was required and quoted £££-££££ for repairs..

Paul

Well you heard it from the pros - what more could you ask for


Every reason to be optimistic with your Bongo - just get to a decent garage. there's a good guy in South Croydon. Might also be worth PMing Alacrity as he is on the SE coast (Hastings? Eastbourne?): he is an autobox specialist so would not help directly (useful to know about though), but he is a top dog and a Bongo owner and ought to be able to direct you to a sensible mechanic.

Good luck

Thanks guys it would appear the common thought is that the gasket is ok but I will need to get the oil leak on the intercooler and pump leak attended to.

Below are some pictures of my block and rocker cover so you can see the problem.

View of rocker cover from passenger side.

View of engine from drivers side.

View of rocker cover from drivers side

Oil on block on drivers side
Oil on block on drivers side

your engine in pics looks just the same as mine! As others have stated before, my rocker cover also weeps a little, the gunk from the EGR the same, and I have today just replaced the top pinion seal on the power steering, which as stated before drips onto the intercooler. The intercooler is only air-fed, it cannot leak fluid, so from under the bonnet, follow the steering column down until you can peep under the rubber dust cover below the UJ. Bet it's that leaking. Good luck getting it sorted, always a worry, Bongo's.

Mine also looks pretty much exactly the same.

I've given the passenger side a good clean when I swapped the thermostat and am planning to do the drivers side when I get a moment.

Hey everyone,

I am New in the forum and i was wondering if anyone knows a good bongo garage near Reading, Berks. I was servicing it at a guy in Newbury (Discount Trucks) but I cant find him any more, maybe he closed the shop down.

Best Wishes
Dio

If you mean this Discount Trucks, it looks like they are still in business.....