Most expensive repair...

[BongoBongo123]

Hi new here and I am checking out a Bongo/Freda very soon and wondered what the
worst problem you could come across with them would be.. in terms of
being common vs expense.

Thanks !

[Cathryn]

Only experienced this as a scare so far. Bought our bongo last week and thought the head gasket might need replacing after an initial inspection by a bongo specialist. Turns out it doesn't, but this is a common problem with the diesel 2.5. Apparently it can be helped/avoided if it's looked after and regularly serviced.

[BongoBongo123]

Much obliged : ) Good advice I think you can check for that see if oil is a bit creamy looking.

Thanks again.

[Simon Jones]

While coolant in the oil is a fairly typical sign of head gasket failure in many engines, it's not the case with Bongos. Instead, the gasket tends to fail around the area between the cylinders and the water jacket so you get combustion gas gets into the cooling system which increases the pressure until it blows the pressure relief valve on the header tank. Often, the lack of coolant the causes the engine to overheat and the head can crack. In extreme cases, the whole engine can seize, so that's probably the single biggest failure you can get on a Bongo. You can pick up a good used engine for around £600 and if you're pretty handy with the spanners, you can fit it yourself, but you need to be able to get the van high enough to drop the engine out from below.

Replacing rear wheelarches is probably the next most expensive repair on a Bongo. Costs range widely depending on whether its a grind and fill repair, or cut out and replace inner and outer arches. This could cost over £1000 at some garages. A more typical figure seems to be around £300 per side.

I've read of someone replacing all 24 hydraulic lifters in a V6 and I seem to recall they were about £50 each so that's probably one of the most expensive repairs ever.

[BongoBongo123]

More good info, thanks for that, I did wonder about manuals etc. Apologies for so many questions
I should really use the search function. I will have a look around the forum today. Thanks for the swift advice. I tend to drive sympathetically so if I can get a decent one hopefully it should last.

If there was any other bits of advice on things that can break and stop working that would be handy, even if it is cabin/sleep area related.

cheers

[haydn callow]

Fit a Low Coolant Alarm......they have saved many a Bongo from overheating and needing a new cylinder head as a result......
I know I am involved in the business but it's just good advice as many will tell you.

[Simon Jones]

Agree with Haydn. Rubber hoses perish with age, steel pipes corrode and sometimes people simply forget to refit the header tank cap after checking the coolant.

[BongoBongo123]

Many thanks chaps just off out to see one !

[BongoBongo123]

This is a Ford Freda which I am checking out.

[Bob]

Welcome aboard.

Freda is pretty much identical.

[Dr Fingers]

Welcome aboard.

Freda is pretty much identical.

Yup, just a different badge. Ours is Mazda front end, Ford at back, hmmm...

Derek

[Bob]

Check for welds in the middle of the chassis.

[Northern Bongolow]

we have 2 ford ones, they are better than the more common mazda ones.

[BongoBongo123]

Check for welds in the middle of the chassis.

Gulp !

Just bought a Ford Freda from what I can tell it seems in good condition and the guy seemed
very nice and a trustable type IMO , answered all my questions honestly. Nice interior and ticked all the boxes that I could remember at the time... you always forget to check something... did not waggle the steering column forwards and back sideways for play....doh !

Seems in pretty decent shape no rust on arches/underneath. A little coating of oil around the gearbox but I guess it is almost 2.0 y.o. Engine looked clean, no oil. We went for a 30mins drive back road and M-Way and had plenty of power and no smoke when revved, 1 years MOT etc.