Bongo Fury

I was away in my Bongo this weekend and on the way back it developed a problem with acceleration. When I press the accelerator the engine revs but the speed takes ages to build up. It's not very responsive at all. If I build up speed the van will go to 55/60mph reasonably comfortably (even if it takes an age) but no higher and any kind of incline decreases the speed dramatically. Pressing the accelerator on a hill simply causes the engine to struggle and doesn't help the speed at all. I thought I felt something slip/go under the drivers side/handbrake area.

Any suggestions for what this might be? Should I take my van to my usual garage, who are very good, or do you think I need a Bongo specialist? I am based in Stockport if you can recommend a Bongo specialist.

First check the transmission oil level assuming it's an auto, and make sure the brakes aren't binding. But check the ATF level first.

I'm in Manchester if it's any help.

Thanks. Yes it's an automatic, I'll check the fluid level.

sounds like fuel, have you got bad fuel or are the fuel filter ( S ) blocked .

Not clear what you mean from your description of the fault. Do you mean the revs increase on the rev counter but the vehicle speed decreases or remains the same , like a slipping clutch on manual or that the engine sounds flat and has no pulling ability?
Is it petrol or diesel?
Did the fault appear suddenly?
What were the weather conditions?

hugsjugs,you can test for clutch slippage by rpm and mph,should give you an idea what you are looking for all being OK.


Gear Ratios
(mph/2000rpm) for each
gear.
1st – 11.2MPH
2nd – 20.4MPH
3rd – 32.0MPH
4th – 50.3MPH

+/- 8%

Thanks guys.

It's a diesel. The revs increase on the rev counter but the vehicle speed increases very slowly, the engine still feels like it pulls but not very fast and only to a point. The fault appeared suddenly. i thought I heard something slip/disconnect under the drivers side.
The weather was average. Dry but not particularly hot or cold.

Thanks for the gear ratios. The revs were definitely higher over 30 mph or so.

Diesel OK then I doubt the weather question would apply here.
My advice initially would be to get it to an auto box specialist with a good rep and ask there opinion. That way you can eliminate box side of things. They may charge you but most will take it for a test drive with you for no fee,just a drink, a tenner or something. Someone on here may be able recommend a specialist in your area that has been used before.
Did the ATF level look OK?

you say you heard a noise, this maybe the turbo pipe that has come adrift or has got a hole in it, remove and check the air filter, this is under yer bum and if something has been sucked into the filter this could give your symptoms, a noise on your side and loss of performance.

Checked the ATF level and it's fine. The fluid is the right colour and doesn't smell of burnt toast. Checked the filter too and that looks fine. Can't see anything obviously broken/torn etc
Next step I think is to take it to a specialist. I found a couple of places online. We're in Stockport. Does anyone have any recommendations.

Thanks all for your help so far. We've learnt a little bit more about our bongo.

check the turbo area closely, there is a rod that moves the wastegate valve, this could be stuck or have fallen off. check the 20mm pipe that goes between the top of the turbo and the bottom, this may have come off.

under the drivers side on the top of the fuel pump is a diaphragm , this is operated by a suction pipe that goes forward to the air inlet manifold elbow, has this come off, or is it full of oil, if oil is there remove the diaphragm and clean out the oil, this would stop it accelerating.

hugsjugs wrote:Checked the ATF level and it's fine. The fluid is the right colour and doesn't smell of burnt toast. Checked the filter too and that looks fine. Can't see anything obviously broken/torn etc
Next step I think is to take it to a specialist. I found a couple of places online. We're in Stockport. Does anyone have any recommendations.

Thanks all for your help so far. We've learnt a little bit more about our bongo.

BF member Turbodave used these guys:

Autotrans, 72A Cross Lane, Marple
STOCKPORT, Cheshire SK6 7PZ
T. 0161 449 9894

He said of them:

".a great , knowledgeable chap who did a service on my Bongo for £110 plus vat. He diagnosed my issue, but improved the running of the box...he advised on the part that needed to be replaced, which isn't available at the moment (potentiometer) and showed me how to replace it myself when the part becomes available...money well spent and a reassuring experience! "
HMO 27/2/16

Petleg Pete from yorkshire had a similar problem with his 2.5 diesel auto.
Loss of power, and less up hills.
Turned out it was some vacuum pipe come adrift on the drivers side of the engine,near the front.Connected it back and all was well
Not a teckie,so dont know the name of the pipe

Brian

thats the one on the top of the pump brian.

Northern Bongolow wrote:thats the one on the top of the pump brian.

Oh

Brian