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Starting problem - NOT glowplugs
Posted: Sun Sep 27, 2009 11:07 pm
by Chris P
Haven't posted for a year or two - must be a reflection on how well my Bongo has been going, but now I'm back stumped again and coming for guru advice.
Black smoke on cold starting, so I sent it to the garage to have its glowplugs replaced before the weather got bad. (Not changing them myself after a "snapped plug stuck in hole incident" ;-{
Mechanic tested plugs and declared them all good. Starting problems seem to be because of too much air in system. If you prime the pump on the top of the fuel filter each time, she starts fine. Over time air gets in and the longer you leave it, the worse she starts.
Mechanic is a bit stumped, and suggested that replacing the pump/primer on top of the filter would be a good first step?
Any reccommendations as to whether that is sensible, or if there are further tests than can be tried?
Thanks for your help.
Chris
Re: Starting problem - NOT glowplugs
Posted: Mon Sep 28, 2009 7:48 am
by hembramacho
This sounds to be a similar problem to mine at the moment. Black smoke and chugging a bit on cold start. Had the glowplugs changed and the problem is still there. Haven't got round to doing anything about it yet as I use the Bongo as my everyday car and can't have it off the road for the garage to ponder over, but as the weather is getting colder it might get gradually worse. If anyone has experience of this issue which could help us both and point us in the right direction that would be great.
Andrew
ps nice down there in Aber - I'm originally from just up the road in Mach!
Re: Starting problem - NOT glowplugs
Posted: Mon Sep 28, 2009 10:31 am
by Ian
Fuel pump seals may need changing?
Re: Starting problem - NOT glowplugs
Posted: Mon Sep 28, 2009 9:37 pm
by hembramacho
Would it have anything to do with the EGR - is it worth blocking it off to see if that's the cause? Seems like quite a cheap option and a lot on here seem to have done it.
Andrew
Re: Starting problem - NOT glowplugs
Posted: Tue Sep 29, 2009 12:09 am
by missfixit70
hembramacho wrote:Would it have anything to do with the EGR - is it worth blocking it off to see if that's the cause? Seems like quite a cheap option and a lot on here seem to have done it.
Andrew
Good place to start if it hasn't been done already, make sure you blank it off properly not just the vacuum pipe, Allan's ll sell you the blanking plates - some egr info on this thread -
http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/ ... =3&t=35130
Re: Starting problem - NOT glowplugs
Posted: Tue Sep 29, 2009 7:05 am
by Chris P
"Fuel pump seals" sounds promising, as it is possible to prime the system manually by pumping the top of the fuel filter. On the bright side, that also implies that it won't get worse as the weather gets colder (hembramacho - you can find if you really have the same by pumping manually if your Bongo has the little pump - some don't).
Anybody know if you can just buy a seal, and where?
Cheers
Chris
Re: Starting problem - NOT glowplugs
Posted: Tue Sep 29, 2009 8:29 am
by Billy-Burco
Hi all,
Had, Nay! still have the same problem! Summer starts Ok, but as the cold weather arrives, it starts great but after two or three seconds it runs rough (as if one pot is not firing )and produces the cloud of smoke out the back, If I try to pull away there is no power to the drive, only increased ammounts of smoke out the back

after approx a minute there is a click from under the dashboard in front of driver position and all runs ok
Over a period of time, in an attempt to identify the faulty part I've changed the following:
Glowplugs, Air filter, Injectors, Fuel filter, Blanked off EGR,
Still no solution, maybe it will be the fuelpump seals???? ( no prime pump, so I'm unable to try that method)
Hope this may save you some time (and money)
Good luck,
BB
Re: Starting problem - NOT glowplugs
Posted: Tue Sep 29, 2009 8:48 am
by Harry
I'd go for the fuel pump seals.
Mine had similar problems a couple of years ago and we found a very slight derv leak on the back of the fuel pump. Harly noticable but it was drawing air into the system.
New seals and no problems since. Instant fix.
No need to remove the pump if you have small hands.
There are posts on here in the archives all about it. If obtaining the seals yourself go to a specialist and tell them you want seals for a Ford Ranger...they will know exactly what you mean...common problem on Ranger engines.
good luck
H
Re: Starting problem - NOT glowplugs
Posted: Tue Sep 29, 2009 9:50 am
by wonkanoby
Re: Starting problem - NOT glowplugs
Posted: Tue Sep 29, 2009 10:16 am
by Ian
Chris P wrote: Anybody know if you can just buy a seal, and where?
We stock seals in the Club Shop.
http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/merchandise5.htm#Misc
Re: Starting problem - NOT glowplugs
Posted: Tue Sep 29, 2009 10:18 am
by wonkanoby
do you stock small hands as well
Re: Starting problem - NOT glowplugs
Posted: Tue Sep 29, 2009 10:45 am
by brorabongo
wonkanoby wrote:do you stock small hands as well
I doubt it. You need to go to a watchmaker..................

Re: Starting problem - NOT glowplugs
Posted: Wed Sep 30, 2009 1:11 am
by Chris P
Thanks Harry!
Ian - you're a treasure. I'll order a set of seals now, and probably a set of filters while I'm at it.
Cheers
Chris
Re: Starting problem - NOT glowplugs
Posted: Wed Sep 30, 2009 9:16 am
by brorabongo
Chris P wrote:Thanks Harry!
Ian - you're a treasure. I'll order a set of seals now, and probably a set of filters while I'm at it.
Cheers
Chris
Don't forget to tell us how you get on.

Re: Starting problem - NOT glowplugs
Posted: Tue Oct 13, 2009 12:31 am
by MattK
|Hi Chris,
Any news on your starting problem? Did the new seals improve the situation?
I have the same issue and have already tried replacing the glowplugs and filters and cleaning the banjo filter.
I was pretty stumped on what to try next and feeling pretty lonely about my problem until I read your post.
Any info appreciated.
Matt