Bongo Fury

Hi all,

I'm a newby to the forum and a newby to Bongo's too! Really impressed to see the amount of info and help on the forum - makes ownership seem a lot less daunting to new Bongonauts!

To the subject - I have a very slightly leaky hose on what I think are the pipes from the ATF cooler going into the gear box (under the drivers seat)- the rubber hose connecting the steel pipes to the box does not seem to be sitting on the pipe properly and is weeping slightly. If this lets go - is there any warning lamp - or some sort of safe mode? What will happen to the box? (I'm new to auto boxes too!) Do I need a special grade of pipe to replace it? Its a new import so I will be treating it to a new ATF fluid change soon anyway.

Cheers,

Steve

steveyd wrote:Hi all,

I'm a newby to the forum and a newby to Bongo's too! Really impressed to see the amount of info and help on the forum - makes ownership seem a lot less daunting to new Bongonauts!

To the subject - I have a very slightly leaky hose on what I think are the pipes from the ATF cooler going into the gear box (under the drivers seat)- the rubber hose connecting the steel pipes to the box does not seem to be sitting on the pipe properly and is weeping slightly. If this lets go - is there any warning lamp - or some sort of safe mode? What will happen to the box? (I'm new to auto boxes too!) Do I need a special grade of pipe to replace it? Its a new import so I will be treating it to a new ATF fluid change soon anyway.

Cheers,

Steve

Welcome steveyd. I've not heard of this one before and am not a techie, but hopefully someone else will be along with thoughts. I reckon it'd be very bad news to let the ATF fluid get low (I'm not aware of a warning lamp but as I say, I've not heard this fualt being reported before). Anyway I'd plan to get it fixed ASAP. If you are not a DIY mechanic and want a place to get it done (and provided you can be reasonably confident it won't let go wilst travelling there), then you are only 20 miles from Discount Trucks at Newbury, and they are top dogs with Bongos and don't rip you off on price I'm told.

If it is loosing ATF it needs to be fixed.

I've heard of plenty of Bongos with low ATF but not heard of a warning light specifically for 'low ATF'. Correct me if I'm wrong. Low ATF is not good, dumping it all is potentially serious!

FIX IT ASAP. You will get no warning if this fails completely - just a sudden loss of drive, which could (but not always - depends on how sympathetic the driver is at the time of failure & what the vehicle is doing when it fails) result in clutch damage within the transmission requiring an expensive transmission rebuild.

You will need the correct type of oil resistant hose, it doesn't have to stand that much pressure, probably 30-50 psi at a guess, but it needs to be correct.

I've just fixed this on mine. if the condition of the hoses is OK i.e. flexible and no cracks or splits then just add a jubilee clip to the offending end. the OEM clips weaken over time and can start to leak. Any doubt at all then replace hose - as with all Bongo hoses, oil or otherwise!!

hmm still a junior.. Mind you 13 isnt exactly prolific is it?!!!.How many replies before graduation?

rob900 wrote:hmm still a junior.. Mind you 13 isnt exactly prolific is it?!!!.How many replies before graduation?

At 25 posts you become a bongonaut, another couple of years at your present rate of posting may get you there

...and I have so much to give

Hi all,

Many thanks for the info - The pipe is actually weeping from the join - it looks like its just pulled a bit off the steel tube (I can see the small lip) - Its still on the original clip so will replace with a jubilee clip ASAP. I've seen the garage down in Newbury advertised and mentioned before- and will hopefully take my Bongo down there to get the tracking done etc (see other post!).

cheers!

Steve

yikes! I checked the ATF level in the autobox and it was off the (bottom) of the scale! Took just over 1.5L of Dexron III to bring it upto full. Question is: how likely is it the box is damaged? Car drove fine, but a bit smoother with the top up (can't fault the gearbox at all - everything seems ok, no nasty noises and no obvious leaks). I imagine it would be good to give it a fluid change and flush to wash out any crud - assuming the leaks fixed.

My Bongo was a new import from a reputable garage so I'm assuming they checked the level when prepping it for me. I'm not sure how much was lost from the leaky pipe- though I assume a leak will be more difficult to check when the car is stationary. I'll be keeping a very close eye on whether the level keeps going down or not. I'm not familiar with autoboxes so was a bit nervous of checking the level with it in drive! When I get an owners manual I won't be surprised if wheel nut tightness can only be checked at 20 mph!

cheers,

Steve

If it's driving ok, I wouldn't panic too much about possible damage, just keep a good eye on levels, but a proper ATF change would probably be a good thing, this may help - http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/ ... =3&t=30096

hi steve and welcome to the madhouse

when checking your aft level did you have the bongo in gear ?? otherwise you wont get a true reading with the level

You've Been Bongod wrote:hi steve and welcome to the madhouse

when checking your aft level did you have the bongo in gear ?? otherwise you wont get a true reading with the level

steveyd wrote: I'm not familiar with autoboxes so was a bit nervous of checking the level with it in drive! When I get an owners manual I won't be surprised if wheel nut tightness can only be checked at 20 mph!

cheers,

Steve

You've Been Bongod wrote:

I do it all the time. Don't if that means you are in good company or not

steveyd -If it was dealer supplied recently, maybe you should (in writing?) notify them of this oversight and the possible consequences, so they can't try and say it's not covered by warranty etc. Just in case, you understand. It sounds in fact like the gearbox has not been upset by its episode of dehydration, but the supplier owns a responsibility to check, identify and fix something as conspicuous as that before they hand the car over. If they are a good dealer, and provided politeness and tact are used, they should accept that. Anyone can make the odd mistake - owning up is what counts