V6 questions

[TerryG]

Looking for my first Bongo and wondered if anyone could give me some basic info about the V6, which I know nothing about at all. Stuff like material (is it iron and ally like the diesel?), ohc or pushrod? Problem areas and weak spots. Service intervals - anything really. Or maybe refer me to a source of information. Any thoughts on petrol vs diesel Bongos might be interesting as well.
Many thanks

[haydn callow]

Alloy heads/iron block......OHCams.....very fast and smooth....150bhp.....very thirsty (about 22/25mpg.......converts to LPG very well.......20/22mpg (but only 60/70p a liter) so in cash terms around 40mpg plus.......rear wheel drive only.....longer between oil changes.......all in all a super Bongo

[TerryG]

Many thanks for that. Presumably that iron alloy construction warrants fitting a coolant level alarm?

[bongodonkey]

Hi mate,

I strongly suggest fitting the coolant alarm - When we were investigating campervans, we spoke to a mechanic who works on bongos.

Simply put he said to us: "What's the point in spending thousands on a campervan and then not spending an extra few quid in protecting the engine"

Coolant alarms are worth their weight in gold!

Ours was £69 fitted.

A new engine plus all the work around £2000!

Ours has sounded twice now and saved us a fortune.

Regards,

Oz

[You've Been Bongod]

170 bhp haydn lol

exellent smooth ride on a run you can get 30+ mpg

[skater]

I've been interested in a comparison but not got round to it.

The diesels have less BHP ( 120? ) but presumably have more torque ( nearly 300Nm ),
don't know V6 torque.

Anyone driven them back to back?

I've been driving diesel vehicles mostly over recent years ( Fabia vRS being of particular note )
but my brief affair ( +-1yr) with a high revving little petrol Panda 100HP was fun.

Anyway, compare and contrast please.


James

[haydn callow]

I have owned a diesel for 3 years and 2 V6's for the past year.

They are totally differant beasts....both are excellent in their own way.....the diesel is plenty fast enough and has huge power.....it will carry and tow with very little effort at all......it can be a bit noisey but is not rough or agrecultural in any way.
The V6 is very smooth and quiet and a bit quicker in all departments.....it will tow just fine but you do know you have somthing behind as it needs to rev more.....

Both super vehicles.

My vote goes with the V6 converted to LPG....just on economy grounds...as a every day driver.

Probably a diesel 4WD if I could afford to run one every day

Perfect Bongo ???? 4WD V6 (LPG) AFT ( no such beast)

[skater]

Thanks Haydn, agree on diesel performance, that's what I've got ( 4wd ).

Would like to try the V6, sounds like they're nice.

Once had a Holden Kingswood station wagon ( when in Oz ) that had a 3L straight 6 and auto gearbox.
That went quite well for a 25 yr old car.

On Bongos are the gear ratios different whether petrol or diesel?

[haydn callow]

I would think so as the petrol revs much higher

If we meet up you are welcome to take mine for a spin.

[skater]

That would make sense, thinking about it

What are they happy to rev up to, revs at 60mph?

[bongodonkey]

I've sat at 3000 rpm with my V6er.....that's around 72/74 mph on the motorway.......really smooth.

I admit that it's not the most economical speed, however I don't mind this speed v's performance/mpg as it's a balance that I'm happy with.

I've had the v6er upto 95 mph.......it was happy enough pulling away at that speed - however I didn't stay at it for long as I did want some reasonable mpg...

hope this helps

[cozmo1589]

Ive had both, a 2.5td diesel and a V6 Petrol and from that experience its Diesel for me every time.
More robust mechanics, many engines have past 200,000 on the clock. V6 is very thirsty and believe it or not despite BHP differences, there is not much between the two on the road performance wise. In either case go for as low mileage Bongo as possible and avoid anything thats been heavily modified (pimped) either inside or out. Good luck with your search.