Bongo Fury

Hello all,

Have a problem with a '98 2.5 diesel automatic Bongo gearbox. Symptoms were that when I put it in reverse it clanked a bit, went a few yards and then stopped. In forward gear it clanked/jolted but then recovered and was then ok. I drove it a couple of miles and then tried reverse again. Wouldn't engage and then clanked a bit when in forward gear. Gearbox oil is clear and topped up. I am fearing the worst. Does anyone have any ideas. Local mechanic reckons it is trying to find reverse and forward at the same time hence the clanking/jolting.

As a fall back I do have a "96 2.5 diesel automatic Bongo where the head has gone and I've been keeping it for parts. The gearbox in that is fine and I wondered whether it would be relatively straightforward to swap them or am I being naive!

Can't help i'm afraid,but "Alacrity" (forum member) is the gearbox specialist,if he see's this he will advise what to do.

You mechanic may be correct - i.e. forward clutch seized on, but that would just mean it wouldn't go backwards, I have never heard a noise when this happens. If this is the case it will also try to drive forward in neutral & try to drive against park.

The most likely thing to have happened is geartrain failure, Bongo gearboxes are good, but from what I have seen on here, when they do fail it is because the geartrain has broken up. This seems to be more common than clutch failure. A rebuild or replacement is what will be needed here in my book. Is the '98 vehicle a facelift model? If so I don't think the early unit will be able to be used as it is at the very least different electrically.

Good luck, happy for you to prove me wrong!