New Exhaust - do I actually need the winter pack?

[bongo&4kids]

Hi guys,

I need to get a new exhaust fitted on my 95 Diesel Bongo, (back box and centre section). This was an advisory on the MOT as well as being picked up at a routine service.

I have the Winter Pack fitted, but live in the South of England and have never needed to use it + I have heard some suggestions that it is not advisable to use it anyway?

As I need to work on the exhaust anyway, do I actually need to keep to keep the winter pack? Is it worth buying the long pipe also and bypassing it? or is it not worth the hassle and best to just leave it as it is?

Thanks!

[roosmith]

A lot of people get rid of it, it is highly unlikely to be of any use to you and probably doesn't work anymore either.

[cmm303]

As Roosmith said, Nope!

They can go around the flanges that join the winter pack valve section which forces the decision so have a check.


Replacing the down pipe is not difficult and because they last longer than the rest of the exhaust I got a used one from Bongospares. Whole exhaust is easy DIY with the side popped up a few inches on ramps.

Get the supplier to throw in new crush washers.

[Merlot man]

Hello
Can someone explain to me what the winter pack is and what does it do , sorry but I'm only learning
Thanks
Brian

[Gasy]

It's a valve in the exhaust that is operated by a switch next to drivers knee
It's used in extremely cold weather to divert the hot exhaust gasses back into the engine air intact
To warm up engine quicker
Or something like that
If you have one leave it alone or remove it
Some have disconnected the cables behind switch
I keep meaning to disconnect mine

Winter pack also has 2 starter batterys under bonnet
Nut loads of bongos have 2 batterys now days after having a leisure battery added
So best way to check if you have a winter pack is switch by drivers knee

[Bob]

Simply put the 'Winter Pack' Bongos have two starter batteries and a meatier starter motor, plus a valve in the exahust, near the manifold, to recirculate exhaust gasses to heat the engine on start up.

They are easily identified by a switch with a little 'Engine' logo down by your right knee.

Its reconed to be unceccessary in the balmy UK climate and the exhaust valve has been known to stick.

Appology, seeing your location I'll refer to the balmy Northern European climate.

[Northern Bongolow]

the valve in the exhaust just simply restricts the exhaust flow, this puts back pressure on the engine causing it to warm up from cold quicker, this is a good idea if you do lots of cold starts as it aids the engine gearbox warm up so allows it to go into top gear earlier. a warmed up engine and box also uses less fuel.
i used mine all the time, but they are known to stick if not used regularly.

[Bob]

Its cold all the way up where you are, Ady.

[bongo&4kids]

I've had a look at the spare parts on a couple of sites, it looks like it would cost an extra £50-60 or so, to order the extra long pipe, and ask the garage to fit it (and so do away with the winter pack).

Does anyone know if there are any risks, if I decide to save the money, and just leave the winter pack on?, replacing the back box and centre section only. Could it fail or cause other problems later on, and end up costing more moeny in the long run?

[Bob]

Main thing with the winter valve is either use it regularly or don't use it at all.

It won't just fail and shut, it might stick shut if not used for a good while and then clicked in.

[bongo&4kids]

Brilliant, thanks everyone for advice and input.
Hope to get it sorted next week.

[Northern Bongolow]

make sure the vac pipe that goes to it is blocked off, crimped with cable ties is fine or bunged with a bolt up the pipe etc. if you dont it can affect other things like the cold start as its on the same vac supply.

valve shown here.
http://lushprojects.com/bongopartsmk2/c ... mgno=.html


these are some other bits of the vac system.
http://lushprojects.com/bongopartsmk2/c ... 1of02.html

[bongo&4kids]

[quote="Northern Bongolow"]make sure the vac pipe that goes to it is blocked off, crimped with cable ties is fine or bunged with a bolt up the pipe etc. if you dont it can affect other things like the cold start as its on the same vac supply.

Ok, thanks. So I would I need to block the vac pipe off, only if getting rid of the winter pack? or also if I leave it on but don't use it?

[cmm303]

make sure the vac pipe that goes to it is blocked off, crimped with cable ties is fine or bunged with a bolt up the pipe etc. if you dont it can affect other things like the cold start as its on the same vac supply.

Ok, thanks. So I would I need to block the vac pipe off, only if getting rid of the winter pack?

yes

or also if I leave it on but don't use it?

not necessary

Basically, you shouldn't leave vac pipes open ended. It would let the air in, losing the vacuum.

[scanner]

I wouldn't even bother fitting a standard mild steel system at all.

Save the money and get a stainless steel system made up and fitted instead for very little if any more
.