Bongo Fury

Are you aware that the dashboard glow plug light is not in anyway telling you what the glow plugs are doing. The glow plugs cycle on/off/on/off many times and are revs/temperature dependant. They can do this many times before switching off and this will be about when the temp gauge starts to move. So! Could there be a link between your plugs switching off and the misfire/blue smoke. I put a illuminated switch in my glow plug relay circuit so I could see exactly what was going on and I could switch off the plugs when running smooth and extend plug lift.
Just thoughts.

Hi now that is a good thought i will try that did you put in line i have done a couple of shoguns basiclly by passing the relay you just had to remember to switch them off cheers

If I remember right I just put it inline....if you search it’s on here so where many years ago....good luck

Would the glow plugs still be a factor after the engine running for 10 minutes

If the temp was low and the revs yes they could still be cycling on/off, you say your temp gauge is just short of half way when warm (11 o,clock) that is normal, if it ever goes to 12 o,clock you are about to overheat. It can take ages for the thermostat to open when the weather is cold. When bleeding it can be 50 mins for the bottom hose to go warm (stat opening) this stage must be reached when bleeding or it’s all been a waste of time.....a Bongo in good condition actually runs quite cool.

I bled the system i must say these must be the only cars that are only bled properly when the bottom hose gets hot in my 50 odd years as a mechanic the bottom hose is or should be cooler than the top.
But i am going to check the glow plug operation asap .
As when it starts to play up after about 10 mins if i switch of then restart straight away it runs perfect so could be a glow plug not recycling

The bottom hose is cooler than the top hose...it’s just that you want it to go warm to prove the stat has opened, this often releases a load of air stored in the bottom hose and if this is not expelled via the bleed hose it gets stuck in the head and causes overheating

and wrote: ↑Fri Feb 26, 2021 5:18 am I bled the system i must say these must be the only cars that are only bled properly when the bottom hose gets hot in my 50 odd years as a mechanic the bottom hose is or should be cooler than the top.
But i am going to check the glow plug operation asap .
As when it starts to play up after about 10 mins if i switch of then restart straight away it runs perfect so could be a glow plug not recycling

The reason the thermostat takes so long to fully open is, its on the inlet side of the the flow, hence the thermostat is getting hit with cooled coolant and constantly opening and closing. The air is normally trapped in the upper part of the engine (cylinder head) this can be removed by way of the Temp sender on the top of the head.

Well took for road test up some steep hills smoked after about 1 mile but cleared after about 2 when engine got to full temp i must admit it was a lot faster than i expected my mrs in her saab 2.2 turbo had to push it a bit to keep up even on the hills and acceleration so not to bad thanks guys

Well guys i have decided to sell the bongo its a shame but i can only thank you all for your help

Sorry to hear that.

Don't forget you're still welcome here any time, and at Meets.

Hi bongo has gone man very happy with it thanks again to you all