Funny noises from my new Bongo :-(

[abernethybongo]

Hi folks,
We've just bought a Bongo after loads of research on this amazing site, we got it from a garage owner in Glasgow. We had a very thorough look over it and took it for a test drive in the industrial estate - all seemed well. However on the journey home with it and since we've encountered a few problems - any advice would be much appreciated.

- There is a whistling/hissing noise (possibly turbo-related) when I accelerate or go over roughly 2200 revs; I'd wondered if this could be a snapped exhaust manifold stud having looked at similar threads, but there were no obvious signs of this when I looked at the engine.
- When it starts up from cold (unfortunately the previous owner had already warmed it when we came to see it and collect it), it is very rattly and shaky until you give it some revs. There is also some white smoke visible although this clears once the engine is warm.
- The interior lights and central locking work when the engine is running and directly after it is turned off, but then won't work after that. The Bongo hasn't been used much over the past year so the batteries may be a bit flat; the main battery was reading around 12v this morning when cold, 14v with the engine running, then 13v after a 14 mile run. The leisure battery was reading just under 12v cold, 14v with the engine running, then back to just below 12v after 14 miles. I assume the interior lights are connected to the leisure battery but haven't figured out the wiring just yet.

Sorry, many questions to start with! They might be related though so thought I should mention it all. I've uploaded a video here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IOI0HMgFD0M which shows some of the noises, although the whistle/hiss isn't that audible.

Many thanks!
Jamie

[the laird]

The shaking and smoke could be related to faulty glow plugs,the whistle may be a manifold stud being snapped some are hidden by the metal shield if you run the engine and spray some non combust able fluid onto man to cyl head you may see bubbles,the lights not sure on that one ,welcome and good luck
After listening again to video check all the hose pipes around turbo etc are connected and properly secured

[wonkanoby]

he is a trader so get him to fix it

[scanner]

(unfortunately the previous owner had already warmed it when we came to see it and collect it),

Now I wonder why he did that?

As said, he is a trader take it back and get him to fix it.

[Northern Bongolow]

when you started the bongo on the video the glow plug light was flashing. check this link out it has some good advice on it.

http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/ ... ht#p614813.

flashing glow plug light is a warning to an electrical fault or battery problems or charging issues. it sounds like the alternator is doing things right, and the batt/s sound ok, after this measure the voltage at th glow plug relay, this looks to be the problem from the vid posted. erratic/lumpy starting could be glow plugs or cold start solenoids. the white smoke on start up is normal as its unburnt fuel, but if your glow plugs are poor more unburnt fuel will be exhausted, once the engine is warmed a little it should go as its now being burnt.

the interior light could be wired to a live that switches off shortly after starting, you may need to move it to a (permanent live).

use the search tab at the top of the page. search for glow and plugs. and cold and start and solenoids. the AND makes a difference when searching. .

[g8dhe]

If central locking and interior lights fail once the engine is off then most likely they have been swung over to the L/B and that is duff. Its very common to swing those across and it also moves the ECU back up supply across to the L/B which might also explain the initial flashing. I would get the L/B tested and replaced.

[abernethybongo]

Many thanks for all the feedback guys, this is really helpful. I'll check out some of these potential issues today once the rain goes off and will let you know what it looks like.

The guy I bought it from owned it himself, so it wasn't a forecourt sale - but as you say he would know how to fix these issues I'm sure, and he shouldn't have sold it without mentioning these faults, so I'll try to persuade him to fix it once I'm sure what the problems are.

Cheers,
Jamie

[MountainGoat]

You should post something in the Scottish section about this as there are quite a few bongo owners in your neck of the woods who may be able to advise you. Bongopoet for instance lives in Perth.

Tony

[rita]

Many thanks for all the feedback guys, this is really helpful. I'll check out some of these potential issues today once the rain goes off and will let you know what it looks like.

The guy I bought it from owned it himself, so it wasn't a forecourt sale - but as you say he would know how to fix these issues I'm sure, and he shouldn't have sold it without mentioning these faults, so I'll try to persuade him to fix it once I'm sure what the problems are.

Cheers,
Jamie

Hi if the guy that you bought the vehicle from owns the Garage/forecourt he is a Trader he owns All the vehicles unless he is acting on behalf of a Customer.

[scanner]

Many thanks for all the feedback guys, this is really helpful. I'll check out some of these potential issues today once the rain goes off and will let you know what it looks like.

The guy I bought it from owned it himself, so it wasn't a forecourt sale - but as you say he would know how to fix these issues I'm sure, and he shouldn't have sold it without mentioning these faults, so I'll try to persuade him to fix it once I'm sure what the problems are.

Cheers,
Jamie

Hi if the guy that you bought the vehicle from owns the Garage/forecourt he is a Trader he owns All the vehicles unless he is acting on behalf of a Customer.

And if he wanted to sell a dodgy vehicle it would be all too easy to say "he had owned it himself" and so try to get out of his obligations as a trader.

If he tries to argue that just say "so what?" - a trader, is a trader, is a trader.

[abernethybongo]

I've just checked all the fuseboxes - discovered that the interior lights, blinds, cigar lighters, mirrors and radio seem to be wired into the leisure battery, which is good to know (plus these are the things I'd ideally want on the leisure battery anyway). Also discovered that the main 60A fuse in between the split charger and the leisure battery has blown, which explains why it isn't charging. I'm slightly puzzled about why the interior lights, blinds etc work at all then though (they work when the engine is running, but not otherwise) - are they normally powered directly by the alternator when the engine is running? Likewise, the blown fuse doesn't explain why the central locking doesn't work except directly after the engine is turned off, as the central locking doesn't seem to have been transferred to the LB.

Hopefully this explains the flashing glow-plug warning light too (although perhaps not, given the smoke and rattles when starting - also the ECU doesn't seem to be wired to the LB). The rain has just stopped so I'll go and have a look at the engine now for signs of loose turbo pipes or broken manifold studs.

Cheers all,
Jamie

[mikeonb4c]

Whistling could be the turbo, they can be a bit like that. Does the car start without smoke and judder once warm? Could just need new glow plugs if so (dealer should do). Could indeed have tired starter battery and you ought to get electrics checked. But depending on price paid, it may well be a perfect ly sound purchase, once a little medicine has been used on it. And then you can enjoy a great car.

[abernethybongo]

Thanks - I'm hoping it is just a normal turbo noise, interestingly I tried revving the engine with the seats both up and the hissing sound wasn't really audible. No loose pipes apparent, I couldn't get the heat shield off to see all the manifold studs, but no. 1 is fine and there are no signs of soot from the others having failed. The only potentially suspect pipe was this one, which didn't seem to have a clamp where the rubber meets the metal, unlike other ones I could see - is that normal?

DSC_0375 by abernethyaurora, on Flickr

Below is a general shot of the engine - anything obvious I should worry about?

DSC_0373 by abernethyaurora, on Flickr

Once warm the car starts without smoke or judder, so hopefully it is just a glow plug required to sort that.

Do you reckon I'd be fairly safe just replacing the 60A fuse for the leisure battery without knowing what caused it to blow? Presumably the worst that can happen is it'll blow again.

Thanks again guys,
Jamie

[mikeonb4c]

You could see if the dealer will accept that supplying with faulty glow plugs is not acceptable and they should fix BUT even if they do, will the work be done with proper care and attention. Either way they should be done asap in this weather.

Personally I'd get someone who knows car electrics to look things over. If car was bought at a good price then a few repair costs is not the end of the world. A good Bongo is worth it, long term

Good luck, keep us posted. Crap weather coming so expect cold start problems!

[mikeonb4c]

Oh and fit a low coolant alarm if not done