new guy looking for some advice and opinions

[Aaron]

Hello everyone.... So I just randomly purchased a ford Freda... 1996 with 170k miles... Home made conversion job... Nothing fancy, empty cupboards and a wee sink that doesn't work...

4wd 2.5 diesel auto... Head gasket done last year... Tidy but showing age with rusty arches ... Has leisure battery, and mains hook up...

First of all, was I robbed, or have I paid a fair price at £2600? I'm a car salesman 15 years, but can't value this... None to compare with in Ireland really (rare)

owner produced receipts to show head was done... But themostat was never put back... Is that a problem? He said it's better without it?
Started but needed revved, a little jumpy, some smoke, but then runs smooth. That normal?

Roof not opening, but can hear motor and beeping... I had read up about putting in park and leave running etc...
Any ideas?

Has side sun blind, should I look about buying sides to make into an awning, or too much space taken up by this?

Did I read something about the side door being electric.. The sliding door?

Should I be getting getting timing belt done?

I bought just for fun with my 4 year old son... Hoping to make some memories... I do have a wife and a 6 month old, but I am worried about taking them anywhere as the seats are turned around so not near the seat belts.... I just don't have a clue really... Any advice very welcome.

Regardless, I'm looking forward to having some fun and joining when looks like a really friendly gang!!

[Bob]

Welcome aboard Aaron.

Others with much more techie knowlede that me will chip in with advice, but yes, this is a very friendly crew and good to have you aboard.

[Aaron]

Cheers Bob... You know, I just have a feeling this was the best impulse buy I'll ever make... It just happened to be for sale close by, and I took my kid with me to view.... He ruined my chances of negotiating price when he asked "can we take it home now"
Thanks again

[Gasy]

The stat should go back in
Has it got a low level coolant alarm ( is there a screw and cable in side of coolant header tank )
If stat not in prob has a cooling prob ( blocked rad or something )

Side for the awning are heavy and take up space when not in use
Side door self closes the last inch or so
I'd get timing belt done

Bongos need bleeding after any work on the cooling system ( vids on you tube )
Not a bad price if you can get roof working( give it a helping push ) and there's no cooling prob

Your kids will love it camping is great for kids
My 13 year old daughter asked this weekend when can we go camping again ( in the snow )
Welcome

[Aaron]

Brill.... Thank you!

Head was done, and new radiator a few months previous... I believe the guy,.. he said himself, nothing to hide and he would not sell to someone so close by if there was a problem...
The mechanic that did the head and radiator didn't replace and told him it'll make no difference... Had intended to have done, but never bothered as it was going ok..

[mikeonb4c]

Welcome Aaron. It really should have a thermostat and be happy running with one - leaving it out suggests it may have had a problem and they're not confident its fixed. Without one the engine won't necessarily reach or hold its operating temperature. And you may/will notice the heaters don't blow hot air, which they should.

The other area i would not be complacent about is rust. If it has rusty arches it quite likely has rust elsewhere so i'd go looking sooner rather than later, and be prepared to have to spend getting it sorted.

The roof can give trouble on old Bongos and you really need to read up on old threads on here to get an idea of possible causes. Generally though, when stuck shut people don't report hearing the motors working. They may hear a faint click but thats it.

Good luck with the new Bongo and having lots of fun with it, and keep us posted.

[rita]

Yes you need to have a thermostat fitted ASAP,I have never heard of a Mechanic saying that an ICE does not need a Thermostat "STRANGE"

Was the head replaced or just the gasket,approx 99 times out of 100 its the head that cracks on these old tubs.

Good Luck.

[Bob]

And could there be some warranty on the repair?

If so I'd ask for the stat to be fitted and go from there.

[haydn callow]

Whereabouts in Ireland are you??

[Aaron]

Thanks everyone... Will get on thermostat issue asap... Just drove it for an hour... brilliant... Love it already...
The heater is blowing out warm air? It's just that the temp gauge is not working?
There is also a device fitted, that beeps 5 times at start up to let you know the water level is ok...
Turns out that although the most recent owner is like myself (of 4 years) as in not very technically or mechanically minded... The owner before him was a mechanic...
I just checked receipts ... Cylinderhead - bare head with gasket bolts...
Also radiator a few months previous...
And timing belt a couple of years back...

I live on the border in Ireland (county Armagh)