Bongo Fury

My recently acquired bongo seems to be lumpy when starting sometimes, and lots of white smoke. I've noticed it when it's been cold and the day following long journeys. Only lasts a minute or so then settles down. No problem if the engine is warm.

I assumed glowplugs, so had it in to the garage. They checked the plugs, and said they were fine. They couldn't recreate the poor start, but put it down to me not waiting long enough after the glowplug light went out.

Went away this weekend and yesterday had the same lumpy start issue. I'd normally give it some throttle and within a minute or so it would settle down. Decided to just let it tick over by itself - the lumpiness got worse until it stalled.

Is this still likely to be a glowplug issue (even if they do all glow), or could it be something else?

Cheers.

campergeek wrote:My recently acquired bongo seems to be lumpy when starting sometimes, and lots of white smoke. I've noticed it when it's been cold and the day following long journeys. Only lasts a minute or so then settles down. No problem if the engine is warm.

I assumed glowplugs, so had it in to the garage. They checked the plugs, and said they were fine. They couldn't recreate the poor start, but put it down to me not waiting long enough after the glowplug light went out.

Went away this weekend and yesterday had the same lumpy start issue. I'd normally give it some throttle and within a minute or so it would settle down. Decided to just let it tick over by itself - the lumpiness got worse until it stalled.

Is this still likely to be a glowplug issue (even if they do all glow), or could it be something else?

Cheers.

Must admit it does sound likely to be gloplug related. Mine has always been delicate on cold (esp. if damp) mornings. I always wait until the the glow light has gone out, turn the key (it starts instantly), then let it tick over (never throttle it hard as that just seems to bring on lumpiness and smoke). I can actually drive off straight away if I want and it gives no trouble BUT since I immediately use full lock to do a u-turn to go to work, the extra load put on the engine by the power steering will be enough to make it start missing beats. If I throttle it at all at that time things will worsen and I'll get white smoke.

Mine has always been like this and its never been any trouble at all (starts beautifully every time), but I do have to respect its little ways on certain days.

Not sure if this helps but....

Hi
Lots of white smoke???...is this more than usual?...have you had coolant loss?? If not, I'd stick with the glowplugs and as it has been cold recently, it usually loads them a bit more...Mine starts by just thinking start in the warm weather, but is very slightly sluggish in cold...buy a set of NGK plugs and keep them aside until the current ones go west!...also, ensure your relay is checked over!
Cheers
Helen

Thanks for the replies.

Just checked coolant level, which seems fine. As to how much smoke, I've not had it long, so not sure what's normal, but it's more than any other diesel I've owned. Not enough to fill the street, but enough to not want to open the tailgate and fill the van with smoke.

It's been worst in north Wales and now exmoor, so both places colder and damper than Bristol, where it has mostly been behaving.

It's still under warranty, so would like to get this sorted while it's not coming out of my pocket.

Hi
Maybe some kind soul who's nearby would pop over and look as you start...They do smoke a wee bit, but it soon disappears after starting..I don't notice anything abnormal on ours....when it gets above 9/ 10 Celcius, it should only be a healthy puff of white, plus whitish exhaust until warmed up for a couple of minutes.
Cheers
Helen

Just taken it for a run. Started perfectly, but it's a bit warmer today. I'll do a short video of it tomorrow morning when we're back in Bristol. Tempted just to change the plugs myself, and if it doesn't fix it at least it can be ruled out.

Hi
Remember...the NGK ones are the ones to use...others have tried different makes, and they fail quickly...If it starts well now it's getting warmer, I'd be inclined to pop the new plugs on one side, and change them before it gets cold in autumn...just go and enjoy your Bongo for now!
Cheers
Helen

I changed my glow plugs for the NGK flavor last month and it stopped the lumpy startups straight away i had 2 working well 1 working ok and one not working at all, it took me a couple of hours to change em over but i recon i could do it in half the time now i've done a set, when the light goes out do you wait for the "click" of the relay from the front drivers side ? if not give this a try and see if it improves starting.

It's 99% certain to be glow plugs - the white smoke is unburnt fuel.
Unless the garage actually removed the plugs to test that they actually glow, they wasted their time - a simple continuity test won't tell how hot the plugs are getting. Get some new NGK plugs fitted and you'll be fine

francophile1947 wrote:It's 99% certain to be glow plugs - the white smoke is unburnt fuel.
Unless the garage actually removed the plugs to test that they actually glow, they wasted their time - a simple continuity test won't tell how hot the plugs are getting. Get some new NGK plugs fitted and you'll be fine

Can't argue with that

Thanks again - reassuring that it's unlikely to be something serious.

I'm assuming the plugs were properly tested - the mechanic (from recommended bongo friendly garage) said they all glowed bright red, though not sure what continuity testing means. Will have a chat with the dealer, as it shouldn't stall on tick-over if it's all sound.

On the plus side the bongo handled the steep and muddy exmoor lanes brilliantly - great fun!

do a search for ---cold start solenoids---- and read that.
could be your problem.

yep, I definitely wait for the glowplug light to go out, plus 5 to 10 seconds. Didn't know about the relay "click" until now, but just checked that and can hear it.

Northern bongolow - on your advice I did a search, but a bit confused by all the results. Just read this thread, and it seems identical symptoms - http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/ ... 6427&hilit

...starts instantly, then after a couple of seconds goes lumpy. A small blip or two on the throttle and it will settle.

Will get some diesel additive and keep an eye on it i suppose

Look down by pump at end of throttle cable

there is a cold start widget that pokes a rod to raise throttle speed on a cold start opposite it

it also does it when the a/c is turned on via another sensor

is it working

Typical - frosty morning today, so gave it a try and it started perfectly. Aren't intermittent problems fun!

Anyway, had a look for the cold start widget. Is it the thing i've highlighted in the pic?



If so it doesn't move, though not sure how cold it needs to be to see it move, and a what point. I switched on the AC while it was ticking over and it still didn't move, so does that mean it's not working?

Cheers.