Finally Got A Bongo !
Finally Got A Bongo !
Bought myself a bongo aft today after months of looking . It seems pretty solid no bangs or rattles from the suspension , no signs of over heating and the cambelt said been done . The seller was a really nice guy too overall I'm well happy . Pick it up on Friday looking forward to it !
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/322291510567
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/322291510567
- mikeonb4c
- Supreme Being
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- Joined: Sun Nov 05, 2006 10:49 pm
- Location: Living with Mango Bongo in the North West but with a tendency to roam
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Re: Finally Got A Bongo !
Looks like an honest motor from an honest vendor so fingers crossed it serves you well. Fit a low coolant alarm if it hasn't got one, and budget for ongoing rust related repairs, check around underneath including vulnerable metal pipes especially the one underneath half way down the drivers side that supplies the rear heater unit. Other than that, get out and enjoy the drive 

Re: Finally Got A Bongo !
Second what Mikes said,and welcome and enjoy the mota
Confucious once said " To be fluent in Bongolese is to hold the key to the world!"
Re: Finally Got A Bongo !
Well done. 

Re: Finally Got A Bongo !
Looks like a nice van for that money, welcome to the mad-house!
Re: Finally Got A Bongo !
Don't want to be a party pooper, but you need to have an extensive inspection of theses vehicles for Rust and Corrosion, in particular the front and rear cross members. Lot of peeps have regretted not having a full inspection carried out. (ask Bongolia)
You can check out some of the MOT history online by simply entering the Registration number, but this is no substitute for a professional examination/inspection.
Good Luck.
You can check out some of the MOT history online by simply entering the Registration number, but this is no substitute for a professional examination/inspection.
Good Luck.
Re: Finally Got A Bongo !
Looks a good price for a genuine sale.
I wish you much happy
Bongoing.
I had a quick browse through gumtree a few days back and couldn't believe the prices being asked for bongos, even old ones. Done well.
Second the warnings in earlier posts. If your not a mechanic or savvy DIY'er well worth taking it to one of well reputed Bongo garages for a once over, including things Rita mentions. Unfortunately not all garages are pro Low Coolant Alarms; the overwhelming advice here would be that they are a good idea. Also however nice the seller may be, make no assumptions about the cooling system and watch it like a hawk (coolant level and temperature) until you are confident.
IF only the speedo was converted to mph (which is very common) the odometer may still be reading distance in km. Semantics I know, but worth knowing whether you are measuring distance in miles or km. Not sure how mileage was worked out as I get 2,000 more - not particularly important.
Then relax and enjoy the adventure



Second the warnings in earlier posts. If your not a mechanic or savvy DIY'er well worth taking it to one of well reputed Bongo garages for a once over, including things Rita mentions. Unfortunately not all garages are pro Low Coolant Alarms; the overwhelming advice here would be that they are a good idea. Also however nice the seller may be, make no assumptions about the cooling system and watch it like a hawk (coolant level and temperature) until you are confident.
IF only the speedo was converted to mph (which is very common) the odometer may still be reading distance in km. Semantics I know, but worth knowing whether you are measuring distance in miles or km. Not sure how mileage was worked out as I get 2,000 more - not particularly important.
Then relax and enjoy the adventure

Chris with BertieB
'96 White unconverted AFT 2.5L Diesel 4WD
'96 White unconverted AFT 2.5L Diesel 4WD
- mikeonb4c
- Supreme Being
- Posts: 22877
- Joined: Sun Nov 05, 2006 10:49 pm
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Re: Finally Got A Bongo !
Better still, read up on here about what to look for, and go looking, with a sharp screwdriver. And don't be depressed if you find some - it has to be expected on these old cars, which is why i suggested above that you budget for welding.rita wrote:Don't want to be a party pooper, but you need to have an extensive inspection of theses vehicles for Rust and Corrosion, in particular the front and rear cross members. Lot of peeps have regretted not having a full inspection carried out. (ask Bongolia)
You can check out some of the MOT history online by simply entering the Registration number, but this is no substitute for a professional examination/inspection.
Good Luck.
I'm not sure where you go to find a good professional examiner for an unusual vehicle like the Bongo. You'll probably do as well asking questions from knowledgeable people on here like Rita and then getting to know your Bongo through regular inspections.
Re: Finally Got A Bongo !
I can second third and fourth that and I am a professionalrita wrote:Don't want to be a party pooper, but you need to have an extensive inspection of theses vehicles for Rust and Corrosion, in particular the front and rear cross members. Lot of peeps have regretted not having a full inspection carried out. (ask Bongolia)
You can check out some of the MOT history online by simply entering the Registration number, but this is no substitute for a professional examination/inspection.
Good Luck.



A good idea is to get a fresh MOT test done that will give you an indication. Your current MOT will still stand.
Whats the saying "Do as I say not as I do"

Have a look at the posts on http://igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/view ... =3&t=72827
Take a look at the early inspection ones as they will give you an idea of where to look.
They are spread across Photobucket and Google photos.
Nothing is irreparable.

Good luck.
Re: Finally Got A Bongo !
These are invaluable for checking inside box sections and behind panels etc without the need to strip out.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/7mm-6-LED-USB ... yLkLsZ8BOQ
Add one of these
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Micro-USB-Cab ... xy4dNSu2ya
An Android app for your phone like Play store Scopecam and your sorted!
Does movies & snapshots too.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/7mm-6-LED-USB ... yLkLsZ8BOQ
Add one of these
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Micro-USB-Cab ... xy4dNSu2ya
An Android app for your phone like Play store Scopecam and your sorted!
Does movies & snapshots too.
- mikeonb4c
- Supreme Being
- Posts: 22877
- Joined: Sun Nov 05, 2006 10:49 pm
- Location: Living with Mango Bongo in the North West but with a tendency to roam
- Contact:
Re: Finally Got A Bongo !
And don't forget your sharp screwdriverBongolia wrote:These are invaluable for checking inside box sections and behind panels etc without the need to strip out.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/7mm-6-LED-USB ... yLkLsZ8BOQ
Add one of these
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Micro-USB-Cab ... xy4dNSu2ya
An Android app for your phone like Play store Scopecam and your sorted!
Does movies & snapshots too.

But seriously, useful looking kit. Assume the endoscope has a light on it so it can see in the dark? Interesting thought occurs - you could strap a fertan/waxoyl/whatever delivery tube to it so that what it saw could be instantly treated. Need to give some thought to how to ensure the endoscope doesn't get coated/wrecked in the process but by projecting tube beyond it and delivering whilst retreating, it might work. At the low purchase price its almost a disposable item!
Have to say that it was me and not the MOT station that spotted my upcoming rust problems, probably a few years before they would have become MOT failures. There's a lot to be said for self examination

Re: Finally Got A Bongo !
Cheers for the replys guys , I would like to get the bongo inspected by someone who really knows them . My main concern is the cooling system , would like to replace any hoses that are dodgy possibly the radiator if it needs it just for piece of mind . Old mot history doesn't look to bad , car has been welded before on sills they seem solid as does body although rear arches are on way out although I'm not really concerned about this . For £3200 it looks like a good deal .
Could anyone recommend a bongo specialist who could check over cooling system in or around Glasgow ?
Could anyone recommend a bongo specialist who could check over cooling system in or around Glasgow ?
Re: Finally Got A Bongo !
I have one these in a USB female lead and if I can I pop that in first. The light from the endoscope is OK but with the cob light its brilliant and switching the camera light off saves the phone battery too.
A really useful little inspection light. You dont get the bounce back when looking into small openings as you do with a torch style inspection light and when welding it can be taped to the face shield or goggles.
A really useful little inspection light. You dont get the bounce back when looking into small openings as you do with a torch style inspection light and when welding it can be taped to the face shield or goggles.
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- Apprentice Bongonaut
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Re: Finally Got A Bongo !
The main concern is that it should especially provide a very large budget for the repair while already invested everything in the implementation of the project.mikeonb4c wrote: ↑Sun Oct 16, 2016 11:06 pm Looks like an honest motor from an honest vendor so fingers crossed it serves you well. Fit a low coolant alarm if it hasn't got one, and budget for ongoing rust related repairs. check around underneath including vulnerable metal pipes especially the one underneath half way down the drivers side that supplies the rear heater unit. Other than that, get out and enjoy the drive![]()