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Bongo Cambelt, LPG conversion?

Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2016 1:13 pm
by SmidGe
Hello bongo peeps,
I am a newbie and I was hoping that someone could help me?
I own a 2.5L V6 Mazda bongo. I need to get a Cambelt (timing belt) change as it has done over 125,000km a water pump change and a full service. Any idea who the best reliable garage is to go to?
Also is it worth getting a LPG conversion at the same time?
Thank you in advance.
:)

Re: Bongo Cambelt, LPG conversion?

Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2016 2:53 pm
by cmm303
Welcome to the forum.

If you let us know where you are people can help you better. Many pop a rough location in their displayed details.

Re: Bongo Cambelt, LPG conversion?

Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2016 3:10 pm
by Bob
Welcome to BF. :D

Allans in Plymouth, Wheelquick in Wigan, others in between. 8)

Re: Bongo Cambelt, LPG conversion?

Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2016 4:39 pm
by SmidGe
Ah no worries cheers for the info, I am located in Farnborough, Hampshire :) I will update my displayed info. I am not too bothered if I have to travel to get it done, just want to done properly :)
Thanks again

Re: Bongo Cambelt, LPG conversion?

Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2016 9:06 pm
by Simon Jones
I'm near Salisbury and I took mine to Allans in Plymouth for cambelt. Don't forget to have the crankshaft and camshaft oil seals done at the same time as they will need doing.

Re: Bongo Cambelt, LPG conversion?

Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2016 9:50 pm
by SmidGe
Thanks for the advice! I will make sure I get those done aswell! How much did they charge you? I got quoted for a full service and Cambelt just under £1000 (by someone else).

Re: Bongo Cambelt, LPG conversion?

Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2016 11:21 pm
by Simon Jones
Well, this was about 4 years ago, but the cambelt and oil seals was just north of £500 (that was excluding the hydraulic tensioner which I'd been advised should be good until at least the next belt change). For a full service (all fluids and filters) I would guess it would come in a fair bit less than you have been quoted, but it's difficult to say without seeing exactly what's included.

Re: Bongo Cambelt, LPG conversion?

Posted: Tue Mar 08, 2016 7:49 am
by SmidGe
Ok thank you! Really appreciate the info!! :) I will
Call Allan's to see what they say. I will
Keep you posted.

Re: Bongo Cambelt, LPG conversion?

Posted: Tue Mar 08, 2016 9:12 am
by ParkerNorris
I have my Bongo serviced here, and have done since 2007. A bit nearer to you.

http://www.lakesidegarageservices.co.uk/mazda-bongos

Re: Bongo Cambelt, LPG conversion?

Posted: Tue Mar 08, 2016 9:48 am
by jimmo62
Also ADS in Bristol would be worth a look, they also specialise in Bongos

Re: Bongo Cambelt, LPG conversion?

Posted: Tue Mar 08, 2016 11:09 am
by mikeWalsall
My personal advise on LPG is to get a good converter ... close to you .. Maybe better than doing a round trip of x amount of miles to sort out a little glitch .. lap top tune up .. service etc: ..

Also make sure they are members of the UKLPG network and your motor is put on the LPG register ...

With my last two motors (Bongo and Alphard) I have had a 'spot check' done at my home by a UKLPG guy checking that the installations where up to spec.

Re: Bongo Cambelt, LPG conversion?

Posted: Tue Mar 08, 2016 8:39 pm
by New Forest Terrier
Discount Trucks at Ashworth Near Newbury did my V6 cam belt last year. Highly recommended and really know their stuff. Cam belt oil seals and water pump £650. Its running beautifully, was before, but seals just starting to go. The water pump was changed on mileage grounds as it is difficult to get at on a V6.

I have a Prins LPG conversion and was worried it would be disturbed by the cam belt change but all fine. I agree with Mike, use a local converter so you can can easily get it serviced or deal with any problems. Some obscure makes have a total lack of spares, so avoid anything that seems to be fitted by only one place.

Posted: Mon Mar 14, 2016 9:12 pm
by SmidGe
Thank you for all your input/advice and help guys! I have gone with discount trucks as it is the closest for me and a good price. Meanwhile whilst my bongo has been at home some trouble makers decided to rip off my wingmirror... And scratched my door all down the side.. Just keeps getting better..

Re: Bongo Cambelt, LPG conversion?

Posted: Mon Mar 14, 2016 9:23 pm
by roosmith
Re the LPG, I would think about it long and hard. I had my non Bongo done a year ago and have been keeping a spreadsheet on how much I've saved (I run the car for work). And after 25k I'm still £400 short of breaking even on the conversion cost. This is mainly due to the worse MPG on LPG ( I get 24 MPG vs 33 on petrol) and my local garages selling LPG for 62p a litre. Also found out that two of them (BP) are stopping LPG as soon as their existing tank full runs out. Unless you do really high mileage and have garages all around you supplying it, it'd think twice.

Re: Bongo Cambelt, LPG conversion?

Posted: Tue Mar 15, 2016 3:18 pm
by lpgimports
must be running very rich on LPG