Bongo Fury

Hi,

My 1995 Diesel Bongo (60K miles) is chugging out white smoke (sometimes lightly and others in dense clouds - v. embarrassing). My garage have told me that the Diesel Pump is leaking but this probably isn't causing the smoke.

It started blowing out white smoke a few months back then stopped. Then it started doing it more frequently but only when going slow. On the motorway there was no smoke at all. At that point it wasn't overheating and losing lots of water but it is now losing water quickly too. We have also had two instances where the water has bubbled out of the overflow. There are no visible leaks so go knows where it is going - out of the exhaust I guess. We also had the radiator replaced a couple of months ago. Might that be connected (although the white smoke predates that).

I have been told it could be the head gasket but I am not particularly technical and don't really understand. Finally, the engine rattles horribly when ticking over. Is this the death of my bongo???

Any ideas what it could be? Also, can anyone recommend a top draw bongo mechanic that is within a couple of hours drive from Catford, South London?

Thanks in advance.

Chris

Sorry it's bad news - your head has indeed gone. £1400 to replace the head but the rattle as well..... £ £ £

I agree with Dr J, it sounds like the head or head gasket The rattling could just be caused by the coolant in the combustion chambers, upsetting the normal combustion process.
Several garages listed in your local section here http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/ ... 32&t=41338

Dr.Jekyll wrote:Sorry it's bad news - your head has indeed gone. £1400 to replace the head but the rattle as well..... £ £ £

Of course there are other options, It may be worth talking to these people
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MAZDA-BONGO-FRIEN ... 255ebad985
then if you decided to go that way, I would personally ask them to do the work,
that way they have no get out clause with the old chesnut
"your mechanics couldn't of done it right, were not to blame, no warranty"
Just a thought

just swap out the complete engine seems a good deal on the old ebay

I used those people in Ilford. They did a super job BUT I would say it is better to entrust the whole job to them, Having seen their set up it seems to be very well run. Spotlessly clean and they know Bongo bleeding!
ian G

Thanks for all the replies. A very sad day...