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Bongo not starting when cold/damp, fine when warm/dry?

Posted: Mon May 01, 2023 6:51 pm
by devon_bongo
Hi all,

I've lurked on here a lot and found some good info so thanks for that!

Yesterday I had to have my 2001 2.0ltr petrol bought back from Cornwall on the back of a flatbed after it completely failed to start.

Saturday we drove it down from Devon to Land's End, all fine. Full tank of (E10) petrol. After one night on a misty and cool Cornish clifftop it just would not start. Was turning over fine but wouldn't fire. Hooked it up to a running car to check the battery - nope. Popped the passnger seat and gave the sparkplugs a little squirt of WD40 - nope.

Called out the AA - technician checked all the plugs and they were good. Sprayed a tonne of easy start in and it still wouldn't go. Hooked it up to his battery - nope. We nearly got it going at one point but it just wasn't firing. So on the flatbed and bought home.

Today it's been sunny and dry in Devon and I figured I'd give it a go just in case - started first time and drove perfectly.

So, any ideas what it could be?

It does sometime struggle to start when it's cold or if it's been sat for a while but normally I can get it to fire with a little bit of gas and perseverance but yesterday morning it was just having none of it.

Re: Bongo not starting when cold/damp, fine when warm/dry?

Posted: Mon May 01, 2023 7:35 pm
by g8dhe
Wet distributor cap and leads, give them a good clean to remove dirt, wash with WD40 and inspect the distributor cap for cracks and any damage to the leads and plugs.