Bongo Fury

I was recently in the unfortunate position of being told that the head gasket had probably gone on my bongo (overheating, exhaust gas in the antifreeze etc). When I was told it could cost upto 1500 quid to sort (sending the head off for pressure testing...) I thought that was it. I found Steel Seal on the web. Described as a permanent fix for blown head gaskets, warped cylinder heads and cracked blocks, I thought to myself that for 30 quid, and 5 litres of antifreeze it was worth a punt. I did some research, tracked down a guy who had used the stuff and who had done 4000 miles on it. What he told me convinced me to try it. My mechanic said no, and that I should use KSeal, however I went with my gut instinct and tried Steel Seal.

Its only gone and worked!!! I was very sceptical, but am now convinced as I have not over heated once, even stuck in a traffic jam in the recent hot weather, and I haven't lost a drop of water. I don't know how "permanent" this fix will be, but as I only do about 4000 miles a year(if that!) in my bongo, then I will be happy if it lasts a year.

Has anyone else ever heard of this stuff or indeed used it? I needed the van for the weekend and I had no choice in the end but to give it a go. However, I am impressed with the results. My mate (who is an engineer in the motor industry) is also suitably impressed.

I am not a sales man for the aforementioned product,but if any one were to ask me, I would recommend it. Please anyone with any experience of this stuff, say now and let me know how you got on. Cheers guys.

I've heard of it from somewhere (can't remember where ) but don't know anybody who's tried it.
Be very interested to hear how you get on - it could be a cheap way out for quite a lot of people . If it works for you, it would almost be worth having a tin in the spares kit

Not heard of Steel seal but do know that Kseal can work on blown gasket or cracked block with success.

Blimey, that could have saved my a whole load of cash recently ...

Please keep us updated on your long term use of this stuff.

Watch out for a spate of 2nd hand bongos with their cracked heads/blocks coked up with gunge

Caveat emptor..............................

dandywarhol wrote:Watch out for a spate of 2nd hand bongos with their cracked heads/blocks coked up with gunge

Caveat emptor..............................

yes, there is the issue of whether things end up gunged for eternity. A bit unsettling

Hi
I love that expression caveat emptor...(beware of empty guinea pigs)
Cavie (guiniea pig)
I'm afraid these additives can cause problems, but I was tempted to use a leak sealer on a BMW 2002 I had years ago....it worked perfectly sealing the joint at the top of the rad where the tank joins the matrix permanently. I later took the head off , and no sign of any problems, and replaced the rad....still no sign of any problems with the matrix gumming up. Both of these tasks were carried out because the temp gauge started playing up. Neither head nor rad nor water pump was the problem.....after a lot of enquiry, I found the voltage stabiliser in the speedo circuit was the problem....a tuppeny-ha'penny fix , but the rad sealant had worked with no signs of ill effect.
On the Bongo, however, with it's well-known problems, I wouldn't use one at all
Cheers
Helen

At least this one doesn't contain any particles that can settle and cause blockages, unlike Radweld etc.
Times move on, so maybe somebody really has come up with something good - be interesting to see how it performs

helen&tony wrote: I love that expression caveat emptor...(beware of empty guinea pigs)

Plonker! - but I like it

helen&tony wrote:Hi
I love that expression caveat emptor...(beware of empty guinea pigs)
Cavie (guiniea pig)
I'm afraid these additives can cause problems, but I was tempted to use a leak sealer on a BMW 2002 I had years ago....it worked perfectly sealing the joint at the top of the rad where the tank joins the matrix permanently. I later took the head off , and no sign of any problems, and replaced the rad....still no sign of any problems with the matrix gumming up. Both of these tasks were carried out because the temp gauge started playing up. Neither head nor rad nor water pump was the problem.....after a lot of enquiry, I found the voltage stabiliser in the speedo circuit was the problem....a tuppeny-ha'penny fix , but the rad sealant had worked with no signs of ill effect.
On the Bongo, however, with it's well-known problems, I wouldn't use one at all
Cheers
Helen

Just in case anyone doesn't realise Helen is being tongue in cheek, the word 'caveat' is from the Latin verb 'cavere' and is the 3rd person singular subjunctive which, translated means 'let him beware'. 'Emptor' is Latin for buyer.

I'll fetch me coat.........

mikeonb4c wrote: Just in case anyone doesn't realise Helen is being tongue in cheek, the word 'caveat' is from the Latin verb 'cavere' and is the 3rd person singular subjunctive which, translated means 'let him beware'. 'Emptor' is Latin for buyer.

I'll fetch me coat.........

Gratias tibi ago Mike

Hi Franco
Gratias tibi ago
....
Isn't that what Julius Caesar said when presented with a dancing cat???

Gracious ! "Tibby" a-go-go...

Eee Ba Goom Lud...ain't language wonderful..
Cheers
Helen

Hi
Talking of language...when we "landed" here avec Bongo, we didn't know much of the local chat....Imagine the looks on the faces at the local emporium when we asked for some Lino for the kitchen floor......."Lino" is Bulgarian for Sh*t ....stupid English....what will they do next
Cheers
Helen

Carborundum nil illigitimi

Amo amas amat of here