Bongo Fury

Hi

I've had a bongo for nearly a year now and have just about had enough. I've blown a head gasket, had my garage mess things up and then get stroppy because its a hard vehicle to work on... all the usual joys of ownership.

Done some great miles and fantastic camping but now the dreaded overheating problem is back. You know... heaters blow cold and the temp guage rises ominously. Pull over. Wait a bit. Start out again and it all happens again. Then there is some funny noises from below the hood... heater comes back on hot and the temp drops, so everything is working properly when the aa man arrives. Next day, same routine.

I've been looking through the great posts on here about the problem and have decided that the bongo definitely has to go. I just dont need a new and time consuming hobby! So looking to fix this problem one last time and put the beast up for sale to someone with the time and skills to spend his/her spare time trying to keep the vehicle on the road. At present all the fun in driving is gone as I spend all the time looking at the temp guage. Other half daren't drive it too far with our baby son as she's afraid of breaking down.

It's a real shame as, on a good day, it's the best vehicle in the world. problem is that there are just too many bad days. Also I'm no mechanic and my job doesn't leave many hours to learn to become one.

As far as I can see, my current problem is due to low coolant levels. Will top up but will try to get it to our garage to give it the once over (not that I trust them... any good recomendations appreciated... we're in Chichester but will travel to get a decent job done).

Sorry to post such a negative thread! Hope your bongos keep on keeping on.

Cheers

matt

Matt, this is what I would do.

1) Consult the list of Bongo friendly garages in the members only area. There are plenty within staggering distance of you (Petersfield, Havant, Lancing & Bognor).
2) Phone them all up and ask if they know about the 23 point procedure for changing the coolant. If they do, then that means they will be familiar with the intricacies of the vehicle. Explain the problem and book it in for a full pressure test.
3) In the worst case scenario, you may have a cracked cylinder head. You can get a new one for around £800 fitted. Maybe less.
4) But you might be lucky and find that it is something straightforward (and cheap) like a split hose.

One things for certain though; you don't want to drive it too far because you might make things worse.

i,ve had similar problems and decided to take the plunge and strip the head off to investigate.
upon doing this it was quite clearly apparent that the head appears to be very porous on cyclinders 2 and 3 .
a new head casting for £300 pound arrived today and hopefully once i've swapped all the bits over reassembly can take place this weekend.
i can understand your pain but the vehicle is just too usefull to dispose of and hopefully this will solve the problem once and for all.
taking the head off was not that hard and can be done in the comfort of the van itself so the weather hasn't bothered me.

hi try changing the top header tank cap. it might be that simple

Whilst the problem surfaces as a cracked head, it is the cause that needs to be found. The heads crack because they are subjected to higher pressures than they were designed to withstand. In my opinion the higher pressure is caused by obstructed waterways which is the result of sludge. The rearmost heater matrixes (matrices?) and the main radiator are common culprits. Unfortunately the average spanner monkey will not persevere and it is a thrawn and complex system. In Mazdas defence, they do suggest the coolant should be changed and system flushed every two years.

Again, in my opinion, it is essential for the system to be flushed out comprehensively and the correct coolant mix added otherwise it will happen again. I have heard of the thermostat being removed and a dishwasher tablet put in to scourge the system but I cant vouch for that! You are very close to a solution (no pun intended) so it is worth the wee bit of extra effort. Hope it goes fine.

I agree with Bumbly, I had to do all these things, but used fairy washing up liquid to aid the flushing I also changed radiator and expansion bottle caps, thermostat, but must stress thorough flushing, good quality coolant, and bleed the coolant system. Also check all hoses for pinprick leaks when engine running, and also for seepage from hose where attached to metal piping, if incorrect coolant strength/quality, metal pipes do corrode

I have had this problem as well - garage told me if the head was cracked it could cost £1200 - £1400 for them to do the job. It went in today for a full pressure test and they phoned within the hour to say they had found a pinprick hole on the main top hose near the engine end and a new one would arrive tomorrow - cost £14.50 plus new coolant and fitting charge. Keep trying to find the solution to sell seems very drastic to me for such a fine versitile vehicle.

I like your new signature Exbongobod

Thanks for all your help and replies! Top PM's too. Sorry I've not been able to reply but like I said, work gets pretty hectic! I found your posts very useful and will try to get in touch with some garages near me this weekend. I will persevere and let you know how I get on.

Cheers

Matt

Good luck Matt - its a wonderful car if you can just get out of the woods you are in. These guys on BF are great though aren't they

Glad that you are going to give it a go, I was determined to get ours back on the road after all the trouble we had, not regretted a minute of all the effort and worry love our bongo to bits, and the great friends we have made on this site

Stick with it Matt I am sure you will be glad you did
Neil

Hi matandruth,
Ive only had my bongo 6 months , only had it 7 weeks (with no warranty) when i had the same problem.
mechanic first changed thermostat to no avail.
then had new wait for it : new head and radiator, no avail over heated again at xmas gutted.
thermostat taken out ran fine , finally for the hell of it changed water pump and second thermostat .
have now driven it for six weeks solid and alls well fingers crossed.
in total has costed me aproximately £1400,but still love her!!!
Even though my son calls me a chamellion cos my eyes work independantly (one on the road &one on the temp guage) don't give up

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simon

I'm bongoing mad R U?

Hi Simon, its a common condition of bongoitis, having your eyes on the road and the temp gauge at the same time
Neil

No problem for me - I wear glasses so I've got 4 eyes!!