Bongo Fury

Here are the requested pics...
Passenger Side - It's obvious from the blue Tee piece that somebody has been in there doing something...


Driver Side

What's that strange thing covering the air intake for the front heater/ventilation!?! Definitely not standard

mikeonb4c wrote:What's that strange thing covering the air intake for the front heater/ventilation!?! Definitely not standard

In the last picture? I believe that it is panty hose (or whatever it's called outside the US).

Gdlee1976 wrote:

mikeonb4c wrote:What's that strange thing covering the air intake for the front heater/ventilation!?! Definitely not standard

In the last picture? I believe that it is panty hose (or whatever it's called outside the US).

Thought as much. Well provided it isn't clogged I guess it shouldn't impair the heater airflow. I wonder if they went in and cleaned out the (most likely mildewed and disintegrated) old filter at the front of the heater rad itself. I did mine some years back and it made a huge difference, and removed the smell old Bongos can have. But I doubt your heater problems are related to airflow, just worth mentioning in passing. Someone has indeed been tinkering, and its a reasonably possibility that it happened after a coolant leak. I think a proper once over by a Bongo specialist ASAP would be in order, unless you feel up to tackling it all yourself.

You can also see another new hose and Jubilee clip at the top of the rad. I seem to recal these clips can leak...

Also, is that red wire from the battery fused? If not I'd fit one.

Is that a Ranger head that's been fitted?

Also has it been confirmed that the rear heater is plumbed in and not bypassed?

Muzorewa wrote:Is that a Ranger head that's been fitted?
Also has it been confirmed that the rear heater is plumbed in and not bypassed?

Here is what I found beneath the Bongo which I believe shows that the rear heater matrix has indeed been bypassed. If that is the case then I can move on from the rear heat ever working and focus on the front heater blowing at its hottest.


I also have receipts showing a Ranger Cylinder head and Bongo gasket was put on 22 Sept 2010.

Looks like you're right on both points.

Most can live without the rear heater.

I agree, we can live without the rear... I plan to have the coolant system flushed, refilled and bleed next week to see if that helps the front to run at full temp.

on bulkhead just behind that heater box with a tight on are 2 pipes goiing through to cabin

start engine and keep feeling pipes

they should get hot together

if just one gets hot the heater rad is blocked up

wonkanoby wrote:on bulkhead just behind that heater box with a tight on are 2 pipes goiing through to cabin

start engine and keep feeling pipes

they should get hot together

if just one gets hot the heater rad is blocked up

Good advice. Any idea how long after starting a cold engine he might expect to feel that happening. I guess driving it until engine warmed may cause both pipes to warm if there is still some flow through the heater radiator but in that case maybe a test could be done by keeping heater set to hot and blower fan off while car being driven to warm it up. On stopping and lifting the bonnet, feel both pipes to see if temp is similar, then put blower on full and see if one of the pipes starts to feel a lot cooler. If it does, it should suggest poor flow through the heater matrix.

Personally I would have the Thermostat checked/tested.

mikeonb4c wrote:

Gdlee1976 wrote:

mikeonb4c wrote:What's that strange thing covering the air intake for the front heater/ventilation!?! Definitely not standard

In the last picture? I believe that it is panty hose (or whatever it's called outside the US).

Thought as much. Well provided it isn't clogged I guess it shouldn't impair the heater airflow. I wonder if they went in and cleaned out the (most likely mildewed and disintegrated) old filter at the front of the heater rad itself. I did mine some years back and it made a huge difference, and removed the smell old Bongos can have. But I doubt your heater problems are related to airflow, just worth mentioning in passing. Someone has indeed been tinkering, and its a reasonably possibility that it happened after a coolant leak. I think a proper once over by a Bongo specialist ASAP would be in order, unless you feel up to tackling it all yourself.

I have seen the nylon tights tip before .. but I didn't think the Bongo had an OEM heater filter fitted .??

Can't answer that Mike except to say the mildewed mess I found in front of the heater matrix when I opened mine up looked like it might have once been a sort of felt material dust excluder.

I had problems with my ABS and took the heater motor/ housing off to gain access ...

While it was off I cleaned it all out including the heater matrix .. the 'honey comb' was clogged with congealed dust / insects .. I cleaned it with 'Mr Muscle' and hot water ..



Matrix .. bottom left ..