dodgy running with video for example

[alze]

Hi Bongonauts,
Was supposed to take my Bongo for its MoT today, but the poor girl will not run properly.
It starts, then stalls, if i keep my foot to the floor it runs, but white strong smelling smoke comes out the exhaust.
In the past it has done this and with a bit of throttle it will roar into action and then run just fine.
Really hoping its not the end of the road for my Bongo as I really like it !

Video available on youtube available here
https://youtu.be/BffDJPbT7kY

[g8dhe]

White smoke is normally indicative of coolant in the cylinders as its steam coming out! Possibly a cracked head which is common on the diesel especially between the ports, plenty of searchable details on the forum etc.

[alze]

oh dear - having replaced one, i dont want to do another !! time to call it a day - thanks for the advice tho.

[alze]

Just back from a walk out, where I had a bit of thinking - if it was the cylinder head, surely it would overheat and blast smoke when it was running. I have seen that before and thats when i changed the head last time. At the moment the smoke is just at start up and when it does sometimes burst into life, the coolant level and temp is normal, so that makes me think its not the heads.
I think I'm going to be methodical and try what i can as a avid bongo owner before giving up - i look at last years bill, where I spent alot, and dont want to give up on that.
I think the first call will be to go thru the general service points (filters/flow) and progress from there. I just got a feeling its something that I can fix with enough patience and time.

[Doone]

On the fuel line to the diesel pump, theres a banjo filter. Take it out. Clean it. Refit. We've seen the dirty filter cause these problems several times and this might be the simple fix you need.

[alze]

many thanks ! i think that is my first port of call - will let you know how i get on !

[alze]

headed out early ! got the bolt of the banjo filter off only to find the spring was in there, but no banjo!
Wonder how long that has been like that for ?!
Anyhow, will see if I cant find a banjo filter !

[Doone]

Its unusual not to find a filter under the spring.
Theres another banjo filter on the back of the pump but you have to strip the pump to access it. That's not an easy job.
You could pour some diesel cleaner and run that through.

[alze]

Many thanks for being so responsive ! Off to halfords to get some diesel fuel cleaner !!

[alze]

Added somed redex to start with, sat with the engine revving and idling, it has improved, it almost burts back to 1500 rpm at some points, but no further. Will have a go some more later with letting the engine idle and rev, it does seem to be improving, and I thinks its very indictive for a fuelling issue. Will see how things go !

[g8dhe]

There is a big thread which discusses this where Steve cut an engine up to inspect for the problems this link takes you into the middle of the thread were its discussed https://igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/vie ... 78#p456878

[alze]

Wow ! if anything thats an amazing thread ! I love the engine cut up visuals.
Cheers for the reference, thats really good of you
Alze. (2E0FWE)

[g8dhe]

Steve Widdowson put together a series on a lot of the topics

Basic fan operation viewtopic.php?f=3&t=48872
Cooling system diagram viewtopic.php?f=3&t=35902
coolant flow - (follow up to cooling diagram) viewtopic.php?f=3&t=36433
Pipe - expansion tank to heater circuit return viewtopic.php?f=3&t=49505
Mazda thermostat - A few observations viewtopic.php?f=3&t=39193
Water pump - opinions please viewtopic.php?f=3&t=47381

[alze]

Good morning all bogonauts - good news - after adding in Redex diesel additive yesterday and letting that run thru for about an hour, it didnt start up then, but I thought I'd give it another try this morning - good news started up fine ! I'd like to think its the redex which has helped, as I've made no other changes and the air temp is actually cooler than yesterday, so no change in environment as such.

I think the next step, and i welcome comments/suggestions is for me to do the fuel and air filter change (I think the fuel filter is about 2 years old, not sure on the air filter, probably changed once in the last 5 years) and then keep on top of keeping the fuel system running clean by regularly topping up with additives.

For less than £10 I'm glad the bongo is back up and running again at least, and hopeful it will get thru its MoT and I can enjoy it again for another year

I've uploaded the running video here -
https://youtu.be/ggnC5ASyk-I?si=nSjFAJUE2s8CEXIV

Thanks again to everyone for the comments and references, its been really helfpul, esp the factsheets and bongo shop with discouts for the parts !

Regards,

Alze

[Doone]

Great result! Got to love a cheap fix. Yes new air and fuel filter wont do any harm. Keep in mind that if you out more diesel cleaner in now, you might get more muck in the fuel filter. So finish that process before you change it.