Bongo Fury

I have tried to search but havnt managed to find a post that exactly describes our problem.
I found after driving our Freda today that the 4th gear change felt a bit sticky or slow to change? im not sure whether this is just a result of me trying to keep the revs low to maximise fuel consumption or whether it could be a fault? Also i was followind Adam whilst he was driving our Freda tonight and noticed that it was blowing a bit of smoke out in particular when climbing a hill? Could the two be connected?? my warranty runs out on Sunday so am keen to get it booked in if it is a problem.........your help would be greaty appreciated

Hi Mell - see you tomorrow 8am OK?

Is yours a manual gearbox? Rare if so. You need a response from one of the Supreme Beings (I cant call them Tribal Elders any more!). My only thought is that diesels do I believe tend to blow a bit of smoke under certain engine loading or revving conditions. Sticky gearbox is another thing of course. But you need an answer from someone more competent than me I fear. You ought to be able to ask the garage to check it, if they are a proper outfit. I know too that I always tend to get 'end of warranty nerves'. That might play a part.

Good luck - see you tomorrow.

Mike

Hi Mike

2moz is still ok with me

ours is an automatic box, will ring up the garage 2moz, its Manchester Campers so i have no doubts it will be sorted, but you know when you kind of want to go armed with a bit of knowledge?

Hi Mel n Adam
I'd be amazed if an old diesel didn't throw out a little smoke when going up hill or under load - I assume it was black stuff?
Have you checked the fluid level in your gearbox?

Hi John

Thanks for the reassurance, the smoke was black stuff, not loads but enough to notice, just want to be sure its nothing underlying

No probs - in fact, if you are driving it gently, it could make the smoking worse when it's revved. Loads of soot can build up in the exhaust and the extra load chucks some out. Try putting it neutral and rev it up to about 4000rpm for a few seconds - you'll be horrified when you look behind you!!

That all sounds about right to me too (what franco says). Mel, when it was sticky in 4th are you sure it wasnt when the engine was cold, as Bongos are designed not to go into top gear (direct drive I think) until warmed up (say 3 miles or 1st 5 mins of driving). Anyway, if you got it from Manchester Campers I cant imagine you wont get the support you need - Mark struck me a a top man and he lives at the centre of the World of Bongo so must take pride in his reputation. But I reckon its probably just 'end of warranty nerves'. CU2moz

Mike

Hi

I think there maybe some truth in your advice, cheers
I do think that Adam and i drive it slightly differently so that may contribute? we havnt checked gear levels but will do 2moz night, just to be double sure, but just to be tripply sure ill give Mark a ring, like i said i have no doubts whatever it may be Mark will sort it, he really is a decent chap, hopefullys its something and nothing, thanks again

The 4th change (lockup) should happen just under 40mph on the flat once the coolant temperature needle has begun to show. I found that a gearbox oil change and filter clean worked wonders on mine. The oil should be changed every 24,000 miles

thanks Dandy for telling me when the 4th gear should kick in, i didnt know that, so i can check against that now, hopefully it will just be my driving

Not the 4th gear melly - the fourth change which feels like 5th gear - but isn't.........if that makes sense. The 4th shift is a torque convertor lockup.

I am with john and dandy with this one I get the same with ours allways have
Neil

Then to reiterate what Dandy has said, changing the gearbox oil can make all the difference. Check the ATF on the dipstick. Is it a dirty brown sludgy colour? If so then it's in need of a change. It should be a nice clear red colour.

hi also smell the atf oil if it smells burnt change it .

Thanks for all your replies, thats what i love about this site, always someone willing to help, will get onto the gear oil change asap, hopefully that will make all the difference