Bongo Fury

I have a 1996 Mazda Bongo 2.5 turbo diesel automatic, 60,000 miles, I bought it in May this year off one previous UK owner who had owned it 9 years
I had a full service in July New belts in August x 3

To Cut a long story short
After overheating a few times within 10 mins of starting up, I took it to my regular garage who said it was the head gasket, wanted £250 for diagnostics and 1000 plus for the work, I called around for quotes at local garages and on the way to one I broke down and had it towed to LA Cars in Benfleet ( recommended on this forum ) The mechanic has told me the water pump failed and a pressure test showed the cylinder head has blown, he is checking with his suppliers for a new one and will get back to me about cost, it will be fixed by the end of the month

How much am I looking at for parts and labour approx ?

I am obviously car less and struggling to get to work and back as I work shifts, Is this normal ? Should my regular garage have seen there was an issue ? It had been in there a few weeks before ? after saving up for the van I didn't expect such huge maintenance and repair costs and once back on the road are there any other issues I can expect
Regards Tara

Sorry to hear of your woes.

None of this is 'normal', a properly maintained Bongo should work ok in all conditions without overheating or blowing the head gasket. If it has blown the head you need to be sure why that was otherwise it'll do it again. Failed waterpump is a possibility, as are low coolant, partially blocked radiator, air in coolant etc. Has it got a low coolant alarm fitted? If not get one as part of the repair.

Ok for 9 years then this? Sounds almost like it was being driven with no coolant in it. Very sorry to hear of your woes and hope you get it sorted.

Really sorry to hear this.

Bongos really need to be looked after by garages that understand them, and must not be driven if there is any cooling problem.

Let's hope it isn't too bad for you.

sorry to hear of your problems hope you get everthing sorted with not too much expense, but I was surprised to see that it had only done 60,000 miles and its a 96 model, that seems very low milage to me, that averages out around 3,300 miles per year

They say the water pump failed
A low coolant alarm would not of saved it
Just shows how important it is to have engine temp alarm or modded temp gauge as well as a LCA

Gasy wrote:They say the water pump failed
A low coolant alarm would not of saved it
Just shows how important it is to have engine temp alarm or modded temp gauge as well as a LCA

You're right - I missed the obvious

A temp alarm would probably have saved it

a low coolant alarm saved mine when my water pump failed, drove to work no problems on the motorway, came out to go home turned key no coolant in it. .

Thanks for all your replies, first time I have been able to look at messages, once the work is complete I will get a low low coolant alarm fitted, plus read through the forum for any other help I can pick up to maintain my van, plus get to one of your meet ups to gain more knowledge me thinks

Thanks Tara

Be good to see you.