Need a new head gasket ??????

[yorkshirelass]

Hi everyone,
My bongo : Big juddering noises on start up, then loads of white smoke from rear lasting a 2/3 minutes; losing all water in water bottle.
Local garage [new to me] did mot and service about 4 weeks ago, told them re start up juddering,I thought it needed a new glow plug ? None put on, yet juddering gone on pick, but returned next day + +. Back to garage today as noticed a warm smell yesterday. Found water bottle empty. So taken to garage this morning. THEY say it could be that water has somehow got into the engine and it may need a new head gasket Any ideas please, they have only had one bongo in before mine and I don't know for how long etc. This garage deals with local cars and farm machinary too [ I'm in North Yorkshire national park]. Do I trust them....? I've left it with them today, but may not be seen until tomorrow at earliest. If it is the head gasket...is this really really bad or just not good etc. If its split.....does this mean a new engine ???????????

[mikeonb4c]

Hi everyone,
My bongo : Big juddering noises on start up, then loads of white smoke from rear lasting a 2/3 minutes; losing all water in water bottle.
Local garage [new to me] did mot and service about 4 weeks ago, told them re start up juddering,I thought it needed a new glow plug ? None put on, yet juddering gone on pick, but returned next day + +. Back to garage today as noticed a warm smell yesterday. Found water bottle empty. So taken to garage this morning. THEY say it could be that water has somehow got into the engine and it may need a new head gasket Any ideas please, they have only had one bongo in before mine and I don't know for how long etc. This garage deals with local cars and farm machinary too [ I'm in North Yorkshire national park]. Do I trust them....? I've left it with them today, but may not be seen until tomorrow at earliest. If it is the head gasket...is this really really bad or just not good etc. If its split.....does this mean a new engine ???????????

Good to hear from you Yorkshirelass though sorry its under these circumstances. Sounds very much like a headgasket problem. Ought to be perfectly repairable though it will cost, and it may be the head itself that is damaged also. If the garage are conscientious they ought to be able to do it but, as ever, they must take advice on the right way to bleed the coolant system after the mechanical work is done. I wonder what caused it to go (if it is a blown head sasket). Good luck, keep us posted. Mike

[mikeonb4c]

Oh and I did hear tell of a Bongo savvy garage in Thirsk, in case that's anywhere near. I'd need to find out what this garage is called though as I can't remember where I heard the rumour.

[yorkshirelass]

Hi everyone,
My bongo : Big juddering noises on start up, then loads of white smoke from rear lasting a 2/3 minutes; losing all water in water bottle.
Local garage [new to me] did mot and service about 4 weeks ago, told them re start up juddering,I thought it needed a new glow plug ? None put on, yet juddering gone on pick, but returned next day + +. Back to garage today as noticed a warm smell yesterday. Found water bottle empty. So taken to garage this morning. THEY say it could be that water has somehow got into the engine and it may need a new head gasket Any ideas please, they have only had one bongo in before mine and I don't know for how long etc. This garage deals with local cars and farm machinary too [ I'm in North Yorkshire national park]. Do I trust them....? I've left it with them today, but may not be seen until tomorrow at earliest. If it is the head gasket...is this really really bad or just not good etc. If its split.....does this mean a new engine ???????????

Good to hear from you Yorkshirelass though sorry its under these circumstances. Sounds very much like a headgasket problem. Ought to be perfectly repairable though it will cost, and it may be the head itself that is damaged also. If the garage are conscientious they ought to be able to do it but, as ever, they must take advice on the right way to bleed the coolant system after the mechanical work is done. I wonder what caused it to go (if it is a blown head sasket). Good luck, keep us posted. Mike

Aw...thanks Mike...good to hear from you too love ! Am a bit jittery re this potential bad news from the garage....but have seen some write ups and hearing from you too does seem to confirm that it very probably is the head gasket. Hope its not split/cracked tho' ..as this is worse. Thanks for the tip re 'draining the coolant system'...will pass this on to them. Fingers crossed now !!!!!

[Bob]

Really bad luck, but good to hear from you, as Mike says.

Do search out a Bongo savvy garage.

[Northern Bongolow]

pam if they dont know bongo;s dont let them touch it, they may kill it.

ask yer mate stilldesperate to take a look, or give me a shout. if it does need a head/gasket (they may say) get it confirmed by someone who knows, peglegpete may help as he is nearby and has been through the same.

i know a place local who knows bongo's and will do the work if its needed.

regards ady.

[yorkshirelass]

Just to let you know...I am in WHITBY now not
Ilkley. Anyone know of a bongo savvy chap/ garage in this area... Y021...... It's URGENT please !

[Dodgey]

Such a lot of panic about garages. Bongos are a simple engine. All the garage needs to know is that it needs thorough (vacuum) bleeding or it gets localised hot spots and damages the head/block. Once they know that there is no reason it's any different to other simple diesel engines.

Just make sure your garage is instructed to bleed it 100% thoroughly and you should be ok.

[Bob]

Trouble is many garages won't listen to bleeding instructions.

"I've been a mechanic 45 years, just leave it with me..."

A Bongo savvy garage will also have parts or know where to get them, rather than order from Mazda, should be here in 3 weeks.

[Dodgey]

Sounds more like you need a good garage more than anything. I use one that explains everything, listens, and tells me when something might be a waste of money . golden ☺

[Bob]

Agree with that, a good garage is worth a lot.

[yorkshirelass]

Just been told that they've done a pressure test and the gasket has blown......but don't know if it's cracked as well . Also, they cannot do the work for approx 3 weeks and it would take best part of a week to fix, including sending it away, and cost anywhere between £600 - £1000. I'm now going to try the main dealers in whitby as seems all small garages around here are very busy .
Will post again later. Thanks for all your help/ comments lads.
Pam.

[Simon Jones]

I doubt a main dealer will touch it & their labour rates would be extortionate.

[yorkshirelass]

Am swiftly going bonkers here....a main garage will do work, no quotes...depends on this..that..minimum £1000.... May need new head ,can cost £500 !!!! That's on top ,could be around £2000 mark in the end. I don't know what to do. I need a bongo friendly garage in north yorks, nearest I found on here was in Thirsk...40 miles away. Dare I drive it that far, will it blow up etc. BIG PANIC ON HERE........HELP PLEASE/ best way forward ?

Panicking Pam !!!!

[Ian]

If I was you I'd contact Simon at Contract Mechanics, see his ad here.

http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/market ... #servicing

He will travel to you and sort it all out. But he's difficult to get hold of as he's a popular man!