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How to Decipher Japanese Service Log?
Posted: Mon Aug 09, 2010 5:22 pm
by hogmanay79
Hi there,
We have just bought our first Bongo and are very much looking forward to exploring in it.
The previous owner had the vehicle imported in to the country at the beginning of this year and has passed on all documentation to do with the import - he doesn't know of the cambelt being changed at the import - just wondered if anyone knew which part of the japanese maintenance / service log shows whether and when the cambelt was last changed?
Fiona
Re: How to Decipher Japanese Service Log?
Posted: Mon Aug 09, 2010 6:34 pm
by MountainGoat
Not a clue unless you employ a translator. All I found out from my original Japanese service documents was the location in Japan where the last Japanese owner lived. Done by checking the telephone number of the garage that serviced it against an online Japanese telephone directory.
That said all reputable importers change the cam belt before selling them on, your Bongo may just be a self imported one. If you can find out who imported your Bongo you could give them a ring.
Where about are you located? if you add this to your profile we should be able to direct you to a recommended Bongo garage near you to have the cambelt checked if you are worried about it. I would not recommend using any old garage as no service data is available to them with the Bongo being a Grey Import.
Tony
Re: How to Decipher Japanese Service Log?
Posted: Mon Aug 09, 2010 6:47 pm
by hogmanay79
Thanks Tony,
The previous owner got it from an import company so I'll try them first.
Fiona
Re: How to Decipher Japanese Service Log?
Posted: Mon Aug 09, 2010 6:48 pm
by mister munkey
I've put
Cambelt Change through Google Translate & it came up with . . .
カムベルトの変更
All you need to do now is match the symbols on your paperwork & Bobs your Uncle!!
Might take a while though . . . .

Re: How to Decipher Japanese Service Log?
Posted: Mon Aug 09, 2010 6:55 pm
by missfixit70
mister munkey wrote:I've put
Cambelt Change through Google Translate & it came up with . . .
カムベルトの変更
All you need to do now is match the symbols on your paperwork & Bobs your Uncle!!
Might take a while though . . . .

On CSI it'd be scanned into a computer & done in 20 seconds

Re: How to Decipher Japanese Service Log?
Posted: Mon Aug 09, 2010 7:06 pm
by mikexgough
Via MHO engineering in Japan ....... Timing Belt ( as the Japs know it as) is.......... タイミングベルト
The Timing Belt Replacement - タイミングベルトの交換で Hope it helps......
Re: How to Decipher Japanese Service Log?
Posted: Mon Aug 09, 2010 7:33 pm
by hogmanay79
I can see I'm going to like this club!!
I'll play match the Japanese if the importers can't give me an answer!!
Re: How to Decipher Japanese Service Log?
Posted: Mon Aug 09, 2010 8:52 pm
by New Forest Terrier
Do you have the original Japanese pictorial service sheets? I have the service book for my my V6 and it it is the form of a series of pictorial sheets with the jobs ticked off on them. The cam belt is on the 100,000km or 10yr sheet.
If it has been done in Japan and can be confirmed there will be a sticker visible on the cover to show its been done. Mine has a sticker which also shows the mileage the cam belt was changed at. On mine this ties up with the 100,000k service sheet at the right mileage and the cam belt picture marked as completed.
Any of the real specialists can confirm if this has been done. With the V6 it is an expensive job, so if its been already done all to the good. Diesel are easier and cheaper. With my V6 the importer checked, found it had been recently been done by a Japanese Mazda dealer and recommended leave it alone. Discount Trucks checked it again for me and said the same thing.
If you cannot confirm a cam belt replacement though get it done. The consequences of failure are disastrous and expensive.
Re: How to Decipher Japanese Service Log?
Posted: Tue Aug 10, 2010 8:17 am
by Alacrity
Any doubt at all get it changed, it isn't expensive & then you know where you are.
Personally I always change mine when I get the vehicle, that way I know where I am starting from, not worth the risk to me.
Re: How to Decipher Japanese Service Log?
Posted: Tue Aug 10, 2010 8:23 am
by mikexgough
Alacrity wrote:Any doubt at all get it changed, it isn't expensive & then you know where you are.
Personally I always change mine when I get the vehicle, that way I know where I am starting from, not worth the risk to me.
Sound advice as usual....... not worth skimping on....
Re: How to Decipher Japanese Service Log?
Posted: Tue Aug 10, 2010 4:02 pm
by hogmanay79
Cheers guys.
The import company have ceased trading, the garage that did it's MOT didn't touch anything else but it hasn't quite got to the 100K km mark yet so I'll get it sorted as soon as.
Re: How to Decipher Japanese Service Log?
Posted: Tue Aug 10, 2010 6:14 pm
by Doone
If it has been done in Japan and can be confirmed there will be a sticker visible on the cover to show its been done.
And occasionally they put the sticker on the door pillar.