Cylinder head replacement

Technical questions and answers about the Mazda Bongo

Moderators: Doone, westonwarrior

Post Reply
brucey1
Junior Bongonaut
Posts: 22
Joined: Sat Feb 27, 2016 11:21 am

Cylinder head replacement

Post by brucey1 » Fri Aug 21, 2020 5:28 pm

We had the crazy idea to take out bongo to the alps 2 weeks ago , it made it there no problem however it did not get us back !
The van overheated , coolant pouring out the expansion bottle ,not good !
We had aa cover so we flew back and left the bongo in France , they are going to transport it back within 2 weeks
Looking for a recommendation for a garage to carry out the work in the Glasgow /central Scotland area .
My local mechanic could probably do it no problem but with all I’ve read I’d like someone who has worked on bongos before to do it as I know it ain’t going to be cheap , so better to get it done right first time !
User avatar
JulesMartin
Bongolier
Posts: 216
Joined: Fri Oct 04, 2019 11:15 am
Location: Rainham, Essex

Re: Cylinder head replacement

Post by JulesMartin » Sat Aug 22, 2020 9:19 am

Sorry to hear that but at least it did get you there :wink: . I can't be of any help to you in regard to a Bongo Garage although there is a list of friendly garages in the members area. The cylinder head replacement is not a dark science. As you refer to it in the singular I'm guessing you have the diesel engine. it is a basic straightforward engine and doesn't need any specialist tools to do the job. as long as your Mechanic has waggled spanners at an OHC diesel engine before he should be more than up to the task. The important and essential part of the job is to get it bled out properly afterwards and everybody on here will say the same that getting the air out of the system is paramount and cannot be underestimated nor rushed. This job has cost you enough already so maybe give your mechanic a go at it if he is going to be the cheaper option. One word of advice is that the head bolts are stretch bolts and cannot be reused ever!
Martin
1996 2.5 TDi Silver pop top unconverted
Bob
Supreme Being
Posts: 15256
Joined: Wed Oct 17, 2007 12:54 pm
Location: North Somerset

Re: Cylinder head replacement

Post by Bob » Sat Aug 22, 2020 9:55 am

Good points, the bleed is all.

Another thought is have it recovered to the Bongo garage of your choice and collect once done.

Britain isn't that big and a flight or train ride will get you pretty much anywhere in a day.
rita
Supreme Being
Posts: 3284
Joined: Tue Sep 15, 2009 7:11 pm

Re: Cylinder head replacement

Post by rita » Sat Aug 22, 2020 9:58 am

What engine ??
brucey1
Junior Bongonaut
Posts: 22
Joined: Sat Feb 27, 2016 11:21 am

Re: Cylinder head replacement

Post by brucey1 » Sat Aug 22, 2020 2:18 pm

I should have specified it’s the 2.5 td engine , it’s the bleeding of the coolant system that worries me .
I’m sure he could do it no problem but if it wasn’t bled correctly and it went again I would be sick as a parrot 😂
I could get it dropped off just about anywhere that’s why I thought maybe get it to a bongo specialist.
Bob
Supreme Being
Posts: 15256
Joined: Wed Oct 17, 2007 12:54 pm
Location: North Somerset

Re: Cylinder head replacement

Post by Bob » Sat Aug 22, 2020 3:17 pm

There are three You Tube videos which give very good instructions on how to bleed.

Possibly your chap might be interested in learning then he could add it to his list of services?

Otherwise, yes, Bongo expert of your choice. My vote is for Allan, Plymouth - just about as far from you as it gets, but we go there.

Further north Wheelquick, Wigan, or Bongo Spares, Sowerby Bridge. Sorry, don't know any further up, but someone might. 8)
User avatar
JulesMartin
Bongolier
Posts: 216
Joined: Fri Oct 04, 2019 11:15 am
Location: Rainham, Essex

Re: Cylinder head replacement

Post by JulesMartin » Sat Aug 22, 2020 6:56 pm

I think Bob's suggestion above to get your mechanic to watch the three excellent videos would possibly kill two birds with one stone. If you know and trust your mechanic once he is confident to bleed out the cooling system there is not really anything else on the Bongo that will catch him out to be honest. so you'll add a string to his bow and get it repaired by somebody you can trust and presumably is closer to home for you.
Martin
1996 2.5 TDi Silver pop top unconverted
Bongolia
Supreme Being
Posts: 1524
Joined: Fri Apr 01, 2016 2:17 am
Location: Folkestone

Re: Cylinder head replacement

Post by Bongolia » Sun Aug 23, 2020 2:55 am

JulesMartin wrote: Sat Aug 22, 2020 9:19 am Sorry to hear that but at least it did get you there :wink: . I can't be of any help to you in regard to a Bongo Garage although there is a list of friendly garages in the members area. The cylinder head replacement is not a dark science. As you refer to it in the singular I'm guessing you have the diesel engine. it is a basic straightforward engine and doesn't need any specialist tools to do the job. as long as your Mechanic has waggled spanners at an OHC diesel engine before he should be more than up to the task. The important and essential part of the job is to get it bled out properly afterwards and everybody on here will say the same that getting the air out of the system is paramount and cannot be underestimated nor rushed. This job has cost you enough already so maybe give your mechanic a go at it if he is going to be the cheaper option. One word of advice is that the head bolts are stretch bolts and cannot be reused ever!
All good advice but.. the head bolts can be reused providing they have not stretch over the tolerance. Dont remember what that is but I reused mine as they were within limits. Could save a bit of dosh.
Post Reply

Return to “Techie Stuff”