Bongo Fury

Evening folks. Not long to go now til our Bongo is on the road. I want to get the cambelt changed as soon as it is, and had a quote today for £200 to do it. This would be using pattern parts, the kit for which is apparently £60-£70. I've got a couple of other places to ask yet, both of which have done satisfactory work for me in the past. I can't help but think £200 is a bit steep. Am I right?

Toby

You haven't said what engine you have, but if it's a V6 then that price would be good as there is a lot to do to change one on that. If it's a diesel I wouldn't know as I don't have experiance, but someone on the forum will soon give you some idea.

Cheers

It takes a couple of hours to change the cambelt on the diesel engine. If the £200 quote includes the £60-£70 for parts then that's not a massively excessive price although it may be worth calling some other Bongo savvy garages for comparison. For the V6 engine, it's a much bigger job and you should always change the crankshaft and camshaft oil seals which will set you back about £500 all in.

If its a V6 please tell me where I'll be rushing there! Nearer £400-£600 for a V6 depending just what you have done, however diesel is another matter altogether!

Doh! Forgot about that. It's a 2.5 diesel. I know the guy relatively well, and he said he's worked on Bongo's before, but isn't really a specialist as such. Heard good things about his work though.

Toby

i got mine done last year, it's a diesel. the labour was 4 hours at £40 per hour, plus v.a.t.
therefore, i reckon £200 is about right.
regards,ken tait

Do it yourself....not that hard a job...

Would love to, it'd save a fortune. Given the location of the engine, doesn't it need to be up on a ramp to get to it properly?

Toby

Yep you need it up nice and high.

Hi
It can all be done from the top. I did mine...normally about 3 hours or thereabouts...I am not able to do many things because of illness/ disability, so I took 3 days...a little bit each day...and, yes, it's better to DIY, then you can take special care lining things up...If I can manage to succeed , so can you!
Cheers
Helen

Had mine done on the 2.5 diesel last week. Belt,spring and tensioner changed, 3 hours labour (I supplied my own parts) £133 including VAT. Saved me rolling around in the rain.

Factsheet here: http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/member ... ambelt.pdf. It is definitely easier if you have access from below to get the cover off & turn the crankshaft bolt (38mm socket required). Ramps or axle stands will be fine.

As mentioned before.....a cheap socket for turning the engine is the 38mm socket used to change some Vauxhall oil filters. It is not man enough to crack the crank bolt nut, but able enough to turn the engine over.

Helps if the glow plugs are removed of course.

£200 is fair price if your having the tensioner swapped out too, if not about £150 for just a belt change

Julian