Bongo Fury

My mechanic has checked the basics - I guess he's happy about the glow plugs and the general ignition system, and although he is generally very good, he's not done a "deep dive" yet. I was just hoping that the symptoms might sound familiar to someone.

Have you changed the fuel filter and the Banjo filter - details in the Members Area - it could be fuel starvation caused by a blockage.

Also, have you checked the air intake is clear, maybe a bag or something caught in it?

And have you had the exhaust checked, maybe coincidental, but the problem did seem to start after the repairs.

It might be worth getting it checked at a Bongo friendly garage, your mechanic may not be up to speed with the little foibles the Bongo has, and it might save a lot of time by going to an expert if you are not sure of what you are doing.

Sounds like the bongo could be bleeding itself, it will then start and run properly after the bleeding smoke has gone.
With a filter change, it only needs a little bleed and little or no smoke.
This could mean you have air getting into the diesel system and this could be the pump or one of the joints in the pipeline.It also sounds like classic glow plug problem.
How was the glow system checked.

Thanks folks, some useful leads. I guess a specialist Bongo mechanic would be a good idea too, do any work out of Sussex?