Bongo Fury

When I first got this Bongo last July it was smoky (white) & rough on start up. It always started OK & it cleared after a few seconds. I replaced the glowplugs & the problem virtually went away. Now it is back the same (possibly slightly worse) again, still always starts OK though & the smoke clears before I have left the drive. I fitted Blueprint glowplugs back then & I am just wondering if they are just cheap rubbish? I have seen, on doing a search, that some are recommending NGK one's, which makes sense to me. Are the Bongo shop ones NGK do we know? I know they are working to a degree because if (as I did yesterday when talking ) I forget to wait for the light to go out it won't start when cold.

My husband has been fixing Bongos for many years now and preferS NGK plugs when possible (that's not to say others aren't OK).

Do you know about the 30amp fusible link? If this blows, the engine will still start but it'll behave as though the glowplugs aren't working properly.
Location of the link is on the diagram HERE. Worth knowing for future reference, even if yours is OK now.

No I didn't know thank. Thanks for the info, I shall check!

I don't know if you have the newer shape Bongo... If so, there's info on the fusible link for that model HERE

Alacrity wrote:When I first got this Bongo last July it was smoky (white) & rough on start up. It always started OK & it cleared after a few seconds. I replaced the glowplugs & the problem virtually went away. Now it is back the same (possibly slightly worse) again, still always starts OK though & the smoke clears before I have left the drive. I fitted Blueprint glowplugs back then & I am just wondering if they are just cheap rubbish? I have seen, on doing a search, that some are recommending NGK one's, which makes sense to me. Are the Bongo shop ones NGK do we know? I know they are working to a degree because if (as I did yesterday when talking ) I forget to wait for the light to go out it won't start when cold.

Hi Alacrity,

If it turns out to be faulty glow plugs and you purchased after Feb 2009,Blueprint give a 3 Years Warranty on cheap parts.

My husband has been fixing Bongos for many years now and preferS NGK plugs when possible (that's not to say others aren't OK).



I heard the same about other makes of plugs not being up for it.

I got a set glow plugs in before the Winter...just in case...... still in the spares box...... NGK ones from a local Motor Factor....£ 36, having read the NGK's are the "must haves"

Useful thread this as ours does this occasionally 2. Ngk's for us then.