Bongo Fury

Hi all

We are travelling to Lake Garda in Italy over the summer in our Bongo .

Does anybody know if I should modify the engine in anyway as it is a long trip in an older vehicle?

Any input gratefully received

Many thanks

Griff

I don't think you need to modify the engine, but a thorough check of the cooling system is worth while.

If you're towing an oil cooler will help, sounds like a great trip.

Have fun and please take lots of photos and post them as we all like to see where others have been

Apart from just making sure the coolant system etc is working properly, i'd be tempted by an engine block temp alarm and an over-ride switch for the scavenger fan. I have these in mine in order to help keep Bongo interior and engine ancillaries cooler if the goung gets hotter (high air temp, traffic jams, slow climbs up steep hills etc). Make sure rad fans are working properly also. Low coolant alarm essential of course.

We did THIS in August a couple of years ago, apart from a low coolant alarm we didn't make any mods at all. But we did renew a fair few bits of the cooling system as a precaution, this included a new radiator, water pump, thermostat, radiator fan switch (the switch in the cylinder head that decides when to switch the fans on) and a fair few hoses & pipes, all genuine Mazda. Whilst that was a fair expense, the prospect of being stranded in the middle of nowhere with a cooked Bongo wasn't an option to consider.

Also consider some spares to take, you're not going to get any parts out there although the Bongo Fury shop can courier things out to you. We took a few things like an alternator, rear prop, hoses, belts etc but didn't need any of them. Had we not taken them - you know it makes sense

If you don't already have it, appropriate break down insurance would give you piece of mind.

Good Luck.

If taking the excellent advice already given means work being on the Bongo, get it done sooner than later to give plenty of time to make sure all is good.

Many thanks for your advice everyone

I will get the cooling system looked at - better safe than sorry!

Looking at your location Wheelquick, Wigan, are the guys for you, or Adrian in Bury.

Ask Mike for contact details.