Bongo Fury

thinking out loud really and just wondering wether anyone is listening so here goes...bumped into a mate today who runs a diesel vitara. after changing the fuel pump a while ago to one that is happy to run on veggie-fuel , the vit sounded like a bag of spanners at idle. however , following a bit of "tweeking" to the pump timing it now runs like a sewing machine. anyway , cutting to the chase. our bongo starts , runs & performs very well and beautifully smoothly , with the exception of being a bit "clattery" at idle. i know it is a diesel but it seems a bit noisy till the revs pick up. the pump has not been "played with" since we have had the bongo and got to thinking wether the timing could have "slipped" at all and wether a pro set up may help quieten things down a little? i certainly would be going down the have a fiddle route!

You've kind of half answered your own question here. Your mates pump timing didn't slip, it was out because he changed the injector pump and the timing wasn't initially set right. I'm a time served motor mechanic though I've not worked as a mechanic for over 20 years but I've never had one single case of a pump timing being out unless it was related to pump removal/refitting or cam belt changes. It's incredibly rare for pump timing just to slip for no reason whatsoever. Diesel clatter can be perfectly normal depending on how bad it is but it's worth checking the valve clearances.

Joe Malone wrote:You've kind of half answered your own question here. Your mates pump timing didn't slip, it was out because he changed the injector pump and the timing wasn't initially set right. I'm a time served motor mechanic though I've not worked as a mechanic for over 20 years but I've never had one single case of a pump timing being out unless it was related to pump removal/refitting or cam belt changes. It's incredibly rare for pump timing just to slip for no reason whatsoever. Diesel clatter can be perfectly normal depending on how bad it is but it's worth checking the valve clearances.

s'pose i did really! just beating some idea's around. it's not particularly noisy but i'm sure it could be a little quieter. once off idle it is smooth and sweet. maybe have a bit of an investigate at next service time.

Surely if the pump timing was out it'd be a bitch to start from cold as the pump wouldn't be sending fuel at the correct time, i could well be talkin complete 5h1te ( usually do ) .

Has it got its protective undertray fitted, as more noise reflects off hard road surface if not. Also, mine has sounded quieter since I fitted a carpet liner inside the tray to replace the knackered old sound insulation. If noise is in the cab, check engine cover latches are holding engine covers tightly shut. They can be bent a bit to improve their performance if not.

mikeonb4c wrote:Has it got its protective undertray fitted, as more noise reflects off hard road surface if not. Also, mine has sounded quieter since I fitted a carpet liner inside the tray to replace the knackered old sound insulation. If noise is in the cab, check engine cover latches are holding engine covers tightly shut. They can be bent a bit to improve their performance if not.

tray is in place & intact. catches have already been "re-profiled" to stop the damn things rattling like a big issue sellers coco tin! i may , in the short term either try some ear plugs (nah) or possibly lay in some extra sound-proofing under the front carpets/centre consol area. i may just try ignoring it though!

nicstrike wrote:

mikeonb4c wrote:Has it got its protective undertray fitted, as more noise reflects off hard road surface if not. Also, mine has sounded quieter since I fitted a carpet liner inside the tray to replace the knackered old sound insulation. If noise is in the cab, check engine cover latches are holding engine covers tightly shut. They can be bent a bit to improve their performance if not.

tray is in place & intact. catches have already been "re-profiled" to stop the damn things rattling like a big issue sellers coco tin! i may , in the short term either try some ear plugs (nah) or possibly lay in some extra sound-proofing under the front carpets/centre consol area. i may just try ignoring it though!

I've certainly found mine quieter since relining the undertray. Need to use common sense in choice of material so it isn't too sensitive to heat plus don't block throughflow of air, esp. around the gearbox. Shag pile is off limits ha ha!