Bongo Fury

Hello Bongonauts,

Having bought my first Bongo early February this year and having put about a 1000 mile on it already, I assumed all was well.

I should have paid attention to the signs. They were there.

Last Friday I prepare the Bongo for a short one night trip. I did not get far before the temperature gauge was off the scale. Turns out there was little to no water in the cooling system.

The Bongo had sat for about 3 weeks without being driven or having the engine turned over.

The signs...

Having started the Bongo to raise and lower the roof I noticed a small (7cm in dia.) patch of fresh oil on the ground under the gearbox. Soon after there was (only) a few drips of water coming from under the radiator. After driving for roughly 3 miles and parking the radiator fan remained on. 3 miles later the temperature gauge was off the scale!!!

I parked up, opened everything, let the Bongo cool and having noticed that the header tank was empty topped it up.

Taking the chance I started the Bongo up and cautiously drove back home. With water in the cooling system... all appeared to be fine. The temperature was good and the Bongo was performing as I would expect it.

Did I get away with it!?

Anyway - I am not trying to write a short story here... my question to all you very experienced and capable Bongo Mechanics is...

What do you make of the attached photos? Ah... how do I attached pictures?

Ok a description...

On the drivers side there appears to be a significant amount of fresh engine oil on the engine block from the cylinder head/engine block line down. What is this indicative of?

Do I have a blown Cylinder Head Gasket? The fact that I have put 1000 miles on the Bongo without a problem and the oil patch appeared on the ground before the engine was up to temperature might suggest not.

My thoughts were to give the engine a good clean, find and fix the water leak and take the Bongo on a short trip while keeping an eye on fluid levels and periodically checking the engine for oil leaks.

My fear is that I could do some serious damage if I have not fully appreciate the route cause of the initial issue and the potential subsequent damage!

Again, your experience and expertise on the subject would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you in advance,

David

Hi David, and welcome to the Forum.

The cooling system must be bled, topping it up will not do.

There are three You Tube videos on this if you have a quick Google around.

Sadly this doesn't sound good for you.

what engine

if diesel you need to bleed it not just chuck water in

sounds like you need a new radiator

Bob/Wonkanoby,

Thank you for your input.

The Bongo is a '95 Diesel Friendee.

Yes - although I am yet to use it (sound like I will be very soon), I am aware of the peculiarities of the bleed hose.

One thing that I need to check is the condition of said hose. I hear that they can come free and that they can develop hole along their length from rubbing. This could be the source of my leak! Could it be that easy?

The oil on the engine block is a huge concern. However, does that concern warrant dismantling the top half of the engine?

Having said this, I am very tempted to do it anyway. I would take the opportunity to change all of the gaskets, timing belt, water pump, auxiliary belts...

All I need now is the time to do it!

In the mean time can I drive it (after correctly bleeding the cooling system).

Oh... some more information.

With a hot engine a very small amount of vapour rises out of the rocker cover when the cap is removed. It is a small amount and I suspect it is simply a constituent of the oil evaporating. What do you think?

Also, there is not evidence of emulsified old on the underside of the rocker cover cap, the dipstick or within the header tank.

Other than performing a pressure test on the cylinders and the cooling system (or driving the Bongo until it breaks), is there another way to test the integrity of the cylinder head gasket!?

Thanks again Bob and Wonkanoby and I welcome anyone else's comments/input.

Thanks,

David

if not sure if they have been renewed i would chasnge the following hoses for sure

1 top hose under driver seat to engine

2 hose of block side goes over starter

3 bleed hose

chance are you may have done head/gasket

but the rocker cover id often cause of oil over blockl

Thanks Wonkanoby.

Yeah - I would check and replace any suspicious hoses if I were to go to the extent I was previously describing.

The oil over the engine block starts from the where the cylinder head gasket is. There is some residue around the rocker cover gasket on the passenger side, but I believe this to be a separate issue.

This is not looking good and the more I am describing it the more I am facing the inevitable - replacing the head gasket!

It is going to be an expensive and time consuming job, however I will then know that the engine has had a good bit of attention.

The kitchen unit will need to wait!

Thanks again.

Mine is a petrol Bongo ..

But reading posts over the years it seems quite common for the rocker cover gasket to leak .. also the covers retaining sealing bolt / washers .. But very rare for the head gasket to 'blow' ..

Thanks Mike.

Yeah - I am not so concerned about the rocker cover leaking a little oil (unlike the head gasket the rocker gasket does not separate the compression and cooling system - as I understand it).

Thanks for your input.

David

they dont have a rocker cover cap, do you mean oil filler??.

the oil leak isnt much to worry about most do it, it maybe from the front camshaft seal.

12-601 on this link.
http://lushprojects.com/bongopartsmk2/c ... mgno=.html.


where abouts are you, i may be able to tell you if the heads gone by the way it bleeds, as in the 3 bleeding vids.

I meant part number ..10-237 Washers, sealing - head covers for the .. 99794-0630 retaining bolts ..

The head has a habit of cracking when overheated, it is not necessarily just a head gasket issue - if this is the problem.