Choking diesel engine

[dollyanna]

A few weeks ago my freda started choking just after startup. She starts no problem, but then belches a bit of black smoke and just sounds like she is coughing and choking. Got an MOT booked for Monday, is there anything I can do to help or sort this out or should I leave it and see what they say? No problems once the choke is over, running fine (well, haven't driven for a couple of weeks cos I realised the MOT was overdue and haven't had time to get it done)

I have bought a bottle of Redox (I think?!), is that likely to help?

And if it is the fuel filter as has been suggested to me, is this something the garage is likely to be able to fit easily if they have never seen a bongo, or should I print off some factsheets?

[wonkanoby]

redex will not hurt what ever

fuel filter is under drivers seat not a hard task to change

as bongo self bleeds after

there is another gauze filter in top of pump

search for banjo filter

[MountainGoat]

The usual none mechanical minded remedy for clearing out the crud from the exhaust prior to an MOT test is to add a couple of bottles of pure vegetable oil to the diesel oil in your tank and give your Bongo an Italian tune up. Being in Lockerbie right on the M74 this should not be a problem for you Dollyanna. But if you can or can get someone to do it for you then follow the above recommendations above as well.

Tony

[dollyanna]

Thanks! Am I right in thinking an italian tune up is just a good blast? How long does it need to be? Given that my MOT is well overdue I'm a bit wary of driving too far from the garage in case I get caught!

[MountainGoat]

Hi Dollyanna. I had the same problem this year. Wheelquick look after my Bongo for me and with my MOT due in Mid January I had to cancel my booked in service and MOT as the police were advising people not to travel unless absolutely necessary so my MOT was actually done two weeks late.

I was a bit worried about travelling down to Wigan with my MOT expired but Bongoplod assured me that it was ok if you were travelling to a garage where your MOT was pre booked. The only problem was that you were not to stop on the way even for the loo. As it turned out I had no problems at all since the police did not stop me. I would say at least go up to Douglas on the M74 before returning to Lockerbie. You will have no problems with the return journey just have a good story for the outward journey if stopped an your MOT has run out. But then you never exceed 70mph do you.

Yes an Italian tune up is a good blast down the motorway to blow all the crud out of the exhaust system. This is an advantage for me in using Wheelquick rather than a local garage. No motorways in the Borders. My emmision test results have improved year on since I got my Bongo.

Tony

[dollyanna]

Well, I was thinking of blasting up the service road rather than risking the motorway, and of course I never go above 70!!

[MountainGoat]

You mean the old A74 running parallel with the motorway? Too many potholes on it for my liking, take care.

Tony

[missfixit70]

As Wonkanoby says, fuel filter & check banjo filter (factsheets in the members area), check the air filter too.

[dollyanna]

Seeing as I can do none of the above myself I have ordered a full set of filters from the bongo shop, and then if it is any of them I can just ask the garage to sort it for me. This is when I wish my dad didn't live at the other end of the country! I sadly have to pay to get the van fixed!

And Tony, the service road isn't too bad by me, I regularly whizz up it and it is one of the better roads in the region at the moment!

[MountainGoat]

pity you are not a bit nearer to Glasgow Dollyanna. If you were you could get Steviebongo to do the job for you. Using a mechanic that knows Bongos inside out can make a difference.

Tony

[dollyanna]

I wouldn't mind driving a it further for servicing if you think it would be worth it?

[MountainGoat]

It helps if the tester has serviced and Mot'd one before. Dunslair was made to change his number plates as his tester claimed that his were not legal. The tester was wrong, grey imports with restricted number plate size have an extemption which allows the size of the numbers to be slightly smaller.

Check out section 2.6 Modifications Necessary of use in Britain.
http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roads/vehicle ... 559?page=2

Tony