Bongo Fury

Hi Bongoists, I am a new Bongo owner after having wanted one for sometime, and love it in so many ways. It is the first automatic vehicle I have owned and I find I am really stuggling with the lack of control that I have where gear changes are concerned, and as a result the apparent inefficiency where fuel consumption is concerned.

Now I do realise that this vehicle was made in a time when manufacturers were less concerned with fuel efficiency and there may be very little I can do about it, but wondered if I have any options for an improvement in this area. Ideal for me would be a 6-speed manual box but I realise this is probably unlikely, so is there anything else I can do, altering the timing or gearing ratio's maybe.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

regards and Merry Christmas

Welcome to the Forum!
Worth adding the type of vehicle you have in your signature and a rough location to your profile here http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/ucp.php?i=164

I don't think you will find any options on the gearbox at least I have never heard of one being mentioned on here!
MpG on Diesels seems to be around 25-28, on a V6 its around 20-25.

i have V6,

found when u want to drop gears come off peddles and gears drop for lower revs. however still only have 4 gears.

if on petrol get an LPG conversion. same mpg but half the price

luke

Madmango wrote:Hi Bongoists, I am a new Bongo owner after having wanted one for sometime, and love it in so many ways. It is the first automatic vehicle I have owned and I find I am really stuggling with the lack of control that I have where gear changes are concerned, and as a result the apparent inefficiency where fuel consumption is concerned.

Now I do realise that this vehicle was made in a time when manufacturers were less concerned with fuel efficiency and there may be very little I can do about it, but wondered if I have any options for an improvement in this area. Ideal for me would be a 6-speed manual box but I realise this is probably unlikely, so is there anything else I can do, altering the timing or gearing ratio's maybe.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

regards and Merry Christmas

You don't say whether you bought private or dealer but either way it is worth getting the TPS (Throttle Position Sensor ) checked to ensure that your bongo is changing gear at the correct time / revs / load, the TPS is located on top of the fuel pump on a diesel and is a 2 minuite job for an auto electrician to check the settings, next could be changing the oil in the gearbox to ensure that good clean oil is in there, most importantly tho is your driving style remember the bongo is built for comfort not speed be gentle with the throttle and read the traffic to ensure that your driving is at its optimum and not stop start as the bongo is over 2 tonnes to get moving, also clear all the stuff out you don't need, i only put my gas bottle in the van when we're going camping saving 7kg day to day. finally as the Bongo is your new toy are you over using it to show her off around town ? plan ahead where you go do you really need to take the bongo or could you walk cycle or have a smaller more fuel efficient car to do the round town stuff and keep the bongo for what it was designed for.

I use my camper converted bongo daily for getting to work and yes its not the most fuel efficient vehicle i have ever had but its on par with the vw t25 camper and a whole lot more reliable that i had before so i live with it and not being a drinker or smoker its my little peice of pleasure and worth the extra few quid of fuel i have to put into it

Do you want an economical car or do you want something that is big, spacious and can do numerous different tasks with ease?

If the first you SHOULD have bought one, if the latter you HAVE bought one.

In the members area, which is open to all at the moment there is a topic about how to get more MPG, give it a go.
My 4x4 diesel does anything from 23-30mpg depending on the road and manner of driving.

Daz

I remind myself how cheap the Bongo has been on bills, and how much pleasure and use I've had out of it. That always cheers me up.

i have a manual box bongo, and in itself is not much better mpg.
it is lower geared than the auto, but i find easier to drive economicallly as you can be in top gear at 30mph.
4 wheel alignment, good hard tyres, even bigger wheels/tyres will help.
i think the manual needs another gear, or even better another two. if you find anything lots of peeps would be interested.

The Great Pretender wrote:Bu**er me...................It must be the season of good will as I agree with scanner...........

See - it's not difficult

scanner wrote:

The Great Pretender wrote:Bu**er me...................It must be the season of good will as I agree with scanner...........

See - it's not difficult

The Great Pretender wrote:Bu**er me...................It must be the season of good will as I agree with scanner...........

Ruddy heck - it's a miracle

There must be a Santa

no hes just been on the cooking sherry again .

Northern Bongolow wrote:no hes just been on the cooking sherry again .

...............Vintage port and brandy with a finest Havana cigar rolled on the thighs of a virgin if you don't mind.......

merry christmas mate , enjoy the drink and the cigar.