Bongo Fury

Hi Everyone,

Bongo just passed MOT (only 2 new tyres needed).... however had noticed a small amount of oil leaking when parked at times and asked the garage to check it out (not Bongo specialist, but have used for Bongo since we got it and seem to do a good job, also works on a couple of other Bongos in the area). They said that that there was quite a bit of oil and cleaned it all off and thought there appeared to be a coupe of leaks, advised to run it for a week, keep checking the oil level and bring it back so they could have a proper look.
Took it back a week later for them to check it out and they advised that the turbo pipes had refilled with oil (suspect worn turbo), also oil leaking from cylinder head gasket, and oil leak between engine and gearbox (suspect rear crankshaft oil seal) also slight diesel leak from rear of injection pump.

All in all sounds expensive, (garage advised ?£2000 for the work to be done).

Any advice would be helpful, specifically does this sound right? is the pricing right, it's a lot of money? Could I for instance get the work on the turbo done first and the other work done at a later date? if I did this is there anything I need to do apart from check the oil at regular intervals.

thanks for reading any advice/information would be helpful as I am not technically minded at all!


thanks

Neil

Hi
Would you be able to post some pictures up?....diagnosing by writing is very hit and miss. Some symptoms like a description of engine sounds, smoke from exhaust, oil lost, water top-ups, smells...and so on
Don't get dismayed YET, until we've seen what we're dealing with
Cheers
Helen

Hi,

I don't own the diesel variant of the Bongo, however I'm fairly mechanically minded etc. But your garages quote does seem rather on the high side.
Perhaps they are being over the top to cover themselves should they get the work & it does start to get pricey.
Try and get some advice from a Bongo specialist if you can & if possible a second quote.
As labour is a big cost, I would say that the best thing would be to get the bulk of the work done at the same time.

Best of luck getting it sorted at hopefully a good price.

Cheers

sounds like the usual egr gunk in the inlet pipes, do a search on here for blanking off the egr. it takes 2 metal shim/plates,and about 15 mins to do. or check its running the correct engine oil.
the head gasket leaking oil probably wont be, it maybe the rocker cover gasket. because the engine has a slight rearward tilt this runs down to the next (step) which is the head gasket lip, this then runs to the rear and onto the front of the gearbox. 2 (leaks) fixed with a simple,cheap, rocker gasket.
total for job without labour about £50 quid.

Hi
Ady...
I had similar thoughts, but didn't want to give too much false hope....anyway...my Bongo has the dirtiest car engine i've ever had...the oil bakes on to a lovely shiny finish, doesn't it!
Cheers
Helen

Where are you based? Not common to hear of diesel Bongos dropping quantities of oil on the road except for leaky fuel injector/diesel. You want an assessment by a Bongo specialist: 2k sounds very high!

Hi Mike
The gunk that most Diesel Bongos drip gets soaked in the mat on the undershield....even when my fuel pump seals leaked, it didn't show...the gearbox leak between engine and gearbox is another matter...it CAN happen, but as Ady said, it ins more likely to have dribbled back on the engine along the head gasket lip...mine was the same...when I did the rocker gasket last year, I hadn't hoped for a complete cure for drippy oil, but it made a fair bit of difference...but, funnily enough, it uses virtually no oil between services, but like a spill of water on the floor at home....a little goes a long way...I did the EGR years ago, and that made a colossal difference....but never anything on the floor...but I have a super soggy undershield
Cheers
Helen

Once I'd got my leaking injector seals done, I took of my engine undertray, removed the oil sodden remains of the liner, relined with a bit of old carpet, and now have a quieter engine and a bone dry clean carpeted undertray. Result

Hi
Mike...
I remember you mentioning that some time back....I wish you hadn't reminded me....it's ANOTHER job on the list, now.....ggggrrrrr
Cheers
Helen

Hi
Mike...I forgot to ask...with a tray re-lined with carpet, does one have to wear slippers for servicing???
Cheers
Helen

and does it meet the flame retardant laws for soft furnishings.

Northern Bongolow wrote:and does it meet the flame retardant laws for soft furnishings.

That's actually a serious point, and one I thought about. I doubt very much it does, but I reasoned that the diesel soaked old liner didn't either. For the rest, I used an offcut of short pile wool (not going to melt), and checked there was good clearance all round. And the fuel is diesel not petrol, so no low flashpoint issues. No evidence of any issues after 3 years in service so I think I got my sums right

And do you use Shake and Vac to clean it?

blobber wrote:And do you use Shake and Vac to clean it?

Ha ha you jokers. It's actually a rather fetching beige colour, contrasts beautifully with the dark oily sheen of the engine