Bongo Fury

Hi All,

Well my Mr dependable bongo failed me in badly the first time in 4yrs (well second but that wasnt too serious).
It was throwing all of its water out which I first thought was a hose leak but according to my local garage its the head gasket. They put a dye like gadget on the overflow and it turned green which they say means there is C02 in there somewhere which means the head gasket is knackered!
Gutted.
No idea re cost, expecting anything between 4-600quid, any ideas peeps what I should prepare for?
Also does anyone know if that test is a good one?

Cheers

Rams

Ramsey wrote: expecting anything between 4-600quid, any ideas peeps what I should prepare for?

Ouch!

Thats about the right figure. Double that if its got to the point where it needs a new head.

Do you have a local Bongowise spannerman?

unfortunately I know no one locally so had to trust a recommended place. Als is too far for it to be recovered to, Im just praying they do a good job and I dont get ripped off. They had a couple of weeks ago and didnt spot it then, but it only took them 5 mins this time, weird. Also a couple of misderminors the first time as they broke my bonnet clip and left my rad cap off so I broke down again. I dont mind as accidents happen but they wouldnt admit it, weird?
Anyway, the lads seem nice enough and know what they are doing, I can but hope they do a good job for a fare price, fingers crossed for me.

live is really throwing some rubbish my way lately, positivity is the only option.
I miss the wagon as my boy is disabled and he has loads of stuff to carry round like wheelchairs, walking frames etc, cant wait to get her back!

Sorry to hear your news Ramsey and hope you get fixed up OK - cars eh - who'd have 'em

Bad news ramsay the dye test is accurate - I'd be laying some of the blame on the ill fitted coolant cap!

dandywarhol wrote:Bad news ramsay the dye test is accurate - I'd be laying some of the blame on the ill fitted coolant cap!

I'd second Dandys comment, though laying the blame will be a difficult one, it might give you some room for negotiation on the cost.....

If, as you say, they seem decent lads & purport to work on Bongos, they might appreciate being reminded how much business a few good words on here could drum up for them. . . . . .

Thanks all, super supportive as ever, I will let you know the outcome hopefully later this week. Hopefully not scare anyone off as this motor has been well used and super reliable so far.
As for the ill fitted cap, it was in the windscreen tray, the lady stated it must have blown off though impossible as when when the bonnet is closed you cant get to that space. Also its where I always put it when topping up etc so it think its what they did, just disappointed they were so defensive about it and just didnt say sorry, hope thats not how its going to go.
In all fairness it was the receptionist defending the point where the lads said nothing.
Bad side is their normal job is servicing lotus's so maybe in for a shock, you never know I may have found a trustworthy garage, I will see the good in them until I get the bill.

Personally i'd try check the cooling system first and make sure that your rad is flowing ok, i've seen lots of bongo's that boil up and act like a head gasket, we've had several brought in for work by the AA and the likes that have failed the dye test and its been nothing more than a blocked rad. A problem with bongo's is once the cooling system over heats once and it throws the water out it traps air in lots of different places so just topping it up does no good, you have to bleed the system everytime. Also check the thermostat as that can be a cause.

Does the car throw its water out constantly, from start up? a completely failed head gasket leaking pressure into the cooling system would and you'd also see white smoke (steam) and run lumpy for 15-30 seconds from a cold start up. does your have any of those extra symptoms? or does it only throw water out only when hot? Not being disrespectful in anyway to your garage,just trying to save you some money.

In my experience the dye test isnt that accurate, esp if its not a new kit with new solution.

Julian

I would take the trouble/expense of getting it to a BONGO garage.....I can see this saga going on for a long time and no satisfaction for you at the end..
Ask them where the coolant bleed pipe is and what do you do with it ??

I'm sorry to hear this bad news Ramsey.

It was throwing all of its water out ...

Could you tell where the water was coming from?
There are a few other things they could check before deciding the head has failed.

321Away wrote:Personally i'd try check the cooling system first and make sure that your rad is flowing ok, i've seen lots of bongo's that boil up and act like a head gasket, we've had several brought in for work by the AA and the likes that have failed the dye test and its been nothing more than a blocked rad. A problem with bongo's is once the cooling system over heats once and it throws the water out it traps air in lots of different places so just topping it up does no good, you have to bleed the system everytime. Also check the thermostat as that can be a cause.

Does the car throw its water out constantly, from start up? a completely failed head gasket leaking pressure into the cooling system would and you'd also see white smoke (steam) and run lumpy for 15-30 seconds from a cold start up. does your have any of those extra symptoms? or does it only throw water out only when hot? Not being disrespectful in anyway to your garage,just trying to save you some money.

In my experience the dye test isnt that accurate, esp if its not a new kit with new solution.

Julian

excuse me being a total thicko when it comes to this but would the white smoke be from the exhaust?

we're having the same problem with our bongo at the moment and the garage has said that it is the head gasket because it failed the dye test

Yes !! white smoke/steam from the exaust points to a head gasket failure or worse.

ok thanks, well ours is well and truely gone then

You both could try Steel Seal - it worked for somebody else http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/ ... al#p333921 and only costs about £30