BEGINNERS GUIDE TO THE MAZDA BONGO

Some information on the mazda bongo. For beginners including the hold button, haw to access the spare tier and much more
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[@SamHickson-zv5zy]

im 28 years old I've got a bongo 1996 4x4 desel, its a year younger than me, I love it so much I actually live in it now, doing this is helping me save up to buy a house in a few years , or another bongo lol

[@Bongoben]

That’s great mate. Iv never driven the 4x4 but hopefully one day 🤞 thanks for watching 👍🍻🚐

[@leeyo5494]

is the mpg as bad as i read online what kind of mpg do you get?

[@SamHickson-zv5zy]

@leeyo5494 yh it's not very good, I'm not 100% sure but id guess its running about 20 to 25 mpg. But I only give it an hours drive every 2 weeks or so as I use it as a home not a commuter. I wouldn't recommend it if your looking to do a lot of miles in these old desiels.

[@MakeDoAndMend1]

I am a bongo nut. Also waving at your video on our smart TV. Cheers from old George and Jane Motorhome Adventures.

[@Bongoben]

Cheers. They are such fantastic vans

[@bordersw1239]

Had a diesel Bongo about 12 years ago, fresh import, underbody was completely rust free so immediately under sealed it. Only problem I had was ‘swirl flaps?’ went wrong after 1000 miles of towing. It was jet black and the wife covered it in flower stickers - wrecking it in my opinion. After a couple years decided to sell it, thinking the flowers would ruin it. Paid my Autotrader fee and put a for sale sign on it. Literally 2 minutes later there was a knock on the door- bought straight away by a local guy who had spotted it a couple of years ago - due to the flowers. He was a gardener and thought it would make a great work van with those flower stickers!

[@Bongoben]

I do love the black bongos but yeah those flower stickers would have wrecked it in my opinion. But at least you got a quick sale 👍 thanks for watching 👍🍻🚐

[@Kinghobbe]

Cheers mate. very useful and 'we are the prime specimens of the Campervan world' was a good one.

[@Bongoben]

Cheers mate. Thanks for watching 🚐👍🍺

[@Peter-r8p1z]

I've owned my year 2000 2L petrol tin top Bongo since 2011, never had an issue with highway driving at 70mph/ 110kph, with 100,000 km of driving all over Europe. 80MPH/ 130KPH is more civilised is you are carrying a bit more weight, such as cases of wine or brandy, cheese, gammon ham, furniture, garden statues, antiques, and whatever else you can stuff everywhere inside. I happily drove Zurich to London in a day. Yes, it would sometimes be nice to have a bit more power; like when pulling on to a motorway against an uphill incline, but the 2L petrol is adequate and my driving style tends to be about maintaining momentum. The 2L petrol Bongo is very robust and far cheaper to repair than the diesel if anything breaks, with similar fuel economy. It has less fuel consumption than the v6 petrol. On a trip, I average 450-500KM per 50L depending on driving style/ speed, that is around 25MPG... not bad for a 2 tonne brick. Never had an issue with E10 fuel, most reputable importers will have replaced all the hoses with upgrades. This is a very robust, dependable vehicle and most of my mileage has been in Eastern Europe, on bad roads and it has never let me down. This is a great camping base station to carry all our gear around; we strap in a Camping Gaz stove on legs in the back using elastic stretchies and cook under the tailgate. We never bothered with kitchen conversions because we want to keep it simple. Parts and labour are far cheaper than the Euro offerings like VW. My repairs have been brake pads, ball joints, the odd blown light bulb, oil service, cambelt every 5 years and that is it. Total mileage is 180,000KM and it still drives like new! They do rust around the rear wheel arches over time, but if you keep on top of that, you should get many years out of it.

[@Bongoben]

Thanks for you comment and spreading the good info on these fantastic vans. I hope you have some amazing adventures in your bongo next year bongo buddy . Thanks for watching 👍🍻🚐

[@Peter-r8p1z]

@@Bongoben I've run out of places to go in Europe; so I am shipping it to NZ with my house load of stuff... I went slightly over the limit for a 20ft container anyway, and a 40ft container was only a grand more. Shipping it effectively cost nothing, so, why not? Engine is made of pig iron and lava and if I do oil service every 10,000 KM/ 6,000 miles, the cambelt every 5 years/ 100,000KM/ 60,000 miles, and if it is garaged, it'll likely outlast me. The 2L petrol is a non interference engine, so cam belt break is not gonna be catastrophic. I really did my research before buying and although the diesel suits the van more, long term reliability and longevity are likely better with a well maintained 4 cyl petrol. Only bits that are expensive to replace are the glass... and the only add on I'll do is a reversing camera. Simplicity is best; there really isn't much to go wrong. What is there is well made. None of these vans are ULEZ compliant, unless LPG converted. LPG conversion is not recommended because the engine tends to be difficult to tune and the gas tank is v heavy. Just drive it and enjoy it. Mine only got used once a month on average, so splashing the cash on a ULEZ compliant vehicle did not make sense, especially as I intended leaving the UK anyway. If you travel to France, it is recommended to buy a year 2,000 van or later, they qualify for the French Crit' air anti pollution sticker valid for the life of the vehicle and are classed as a 3, which means you can drive most places in France. You can get one of these stickers here: www.certificat-air.gouv.fr/demande

[@Bongoben]

@Peter-r8p1z that is really useful information, thanks for sharing. I hope you have a great new life in new Zealand 👍🚐🍻

[@The01scott]

As a new Bongo owner, thanks Ben for the videos, and tips. Maybe see you in Norfolk next year 👍

[@Bongoben]

Cheers mate. Hope you have some amazing bongo adventures in your new bongo 👍🍺

[@finianfarrelly4211]

Great video thanks now im buying a 95 diesel 2.5.

[@Bongoben]

Great 👍 hope you have some amazing adventures. Thanks for watching 👍🍻🚐

[@northernnigella]

Just got my first bongo - this was super helpful as a newbie bongolita owner 😆

[@Bongoben]

Thanks I’m glad it helped. Hope you have some amazing adventures in your new bongo 👍🚐🍻

[@Mattlawton-ft6ew]

​@@Bongobengood vans 👌

[@keithlittle293]

How is it?

[@simonindevon]

Great video thanks - I just got my first Bongo two days ago (1998 2.5td pop top), looking forward to getting out n about and meeting other Bongonauts :) Nice to hear a Norfolk accent! I grew up there (nr Swaffham) but live down in Devon now. I'll be making a trip up to Norfolk in the summer to see family and spend a few days up on that beautiful North Norfolk coast.

[@Bongoben]

Thanks. Glad to hear you have joined the bongo gang. Hope you have some amazing adventures. I love Devon, it’s a great place for a road trip. Hope you have an amazing trip back to Norfolk 👍🍻🚐

[@richietriangle7190]

We're totally on the same page as you dude. We also wave frantically 😂 Thank you for the very informative video 😊

[@Bongoben]

😂 it’s gotta be done. Cheers for watching 👍🍻🚐

[@sorchakennedy9956]

Great video! Just bought a Bongo so its great to get guidance on how to chekc the engine etc. Thank so much!

[@Bongoben]

Thanks for watching. I’m glad it helped and I hope you have some amazing times in your bongo 👍🍻🚐

[@mariannestacey-111]

Thankyou for all the information about the BONGO all very interesting Thx once again..I would love to own one, one day..

[@Bongoben]

Thanks for watching. They are great vehicles to own 👍🍻🚐

[@celiabonwick6785]

Enjoyed this, all the best for your adventures...living the dream 😀

[@Bongoben]

Thanks. I really glad you enjoyed it. Keep living the dream 😃 thanks for watching 👍🍻🚐

[@LynetteShawMcKone]

I don't understand the comment about motorway driving the petrol version; I go up and down the M6 regularly, never, not once, had an issue. Thank you for the spare wheel info though, I was just wondering about that last evening! I'm very lucky in that I have a Bongo expert just a few miles away, just 2 villages down the road, and he's great at explaining things and entertaining my somewhat eccentric ideas 🙃 I look forward to seeing more of your videos.

[@Bongoben]

Thanks. Iv never had a problem with the petrol on a motorway but the 2.5 diesel does handle a lot better at 70 . I think because I have spent most of my driving life with the diesel I do notice the difference . Thanks for watching 👍

[@ChristiesSteamWorkshop]

Great video mate my parents have owned our bongo for just about 19 year and ours is a 1996 automatic turbo

[@Bongoben]

Cheers mate. Bongo are fantastic. 19 years that’s great. I would have kept my 1996 for the rest of my life,if I could have 👍

[@ChristiesSteamWorkshop]

@@Bongoben what happened to urs that u couldnt keep it

[@Bongoben]

@@ChristiesSteamWorkshop head gasket and a cracked cylinder head after a coolant leak. It was to expensive to fix. I was able to buy the 2002 2l petrol for less than the repairs

[@MandyWilliams-uz7ju]

Hi Ben love your channel me and my husband Jeff are thinking of getting a bongo so we found you so your living the dream ❤️ it Mandy

[@Bongoben]

Thank you so much Mandy. I love bongos tho i have never owned any other vehicle to compere them to, everyone iv ever spoke to who has had a bongo will always say haw much they loved it

[@MandyWilliams-uz7ju]

Hi Ben we Will keep watching I will let you if we manage to get the one .keep it real Ben love it

[@Bongoben]

@@MandyWilliams-uz7ju Thanks. yeah please let me now👍

[@MakeDoAndMend1]

Go and get one. We love ours. Cheers from old George and Jane

[@wanderinginwildwales]

Just picked up a 2.5 diesel. Thank for letting me know about the spare tyre 😂

[@Bongoben]

👍Hope you have some fantastic bongo adventures

[@dankett5953]

how much is the road tax on the 2.5 diesel? thanks Dan

[@810036matt]

On our second 2.0L petrol. Never had any issues cruising at 70 on motorways.

[@Bongoben]

Iv never had an issue as such but it’s just not smooth as the diesel. But I do prefer the look of the petrol

[@jayjay84878]

Wonderful and very informative video, I love your Bongo I've been looking for one myself 👍

[@Bongoben]

Thanks. They are fantastic vans . Mine is a bit ruff around the wheel arches but that don’t bother me to much . Hope you get one and join the club 👍

[@iancliveedwards]

Very informative Ben 👍

[@Bongoben]

Cheers mate. Thanks for watching 👍🍺🚐

[@duvessa2003]

That’s the first time anyone’s shown how to get the spare tire out. Thank you for that. I was confused about the fuel conditioner. I’m in the US. We have 87 octane 89 and 92 . Are you saying that the Bongo takes premium fuel?

[@Bongoben]

Thank you. Yes the premium is a lot better for them.it’s the ethanol that erodes the rubber,so the less ethanol the better.some late 2002 and later models are supposed to be ok with the amount of ethanol but I have herd people say that it can still erode the fuel pump and fuel line.

[@Si_digs]

Errr Flipping well do need air con in the UK esp Jun -Sept !!

[@Bongoben]

Thanks for watching. Merry Christmas 👍🍻🚐

[@Si_digs]

​@Bongoben you too bud 😎👍🏼 🎄

[@duvessa2003]

Bongo wave from a new subscriber 🤗

[@Bongoben]

Thank you 👋

[@ichbinshaltne]

Dont even have a Bongo but enjoyed! Maybe i need a new Oldie 😍

[@TheRealColt]

the longevity of the bongos engine is determined by how many bongs are chugged in the backseat

[@Bongoben]

🤣

[@Allee202]

We are bringing ours back to life!

[@Bongoben]

fantastic, hope it all goes well mate

[@Partnerthedog]

I'd like a video of what all the buttons do in the front mines a camper with auto roof and has the leisure battery and all these switches I don't know

[@Bongoben]

I’m afraid the buttons in the front are often different in every bongo. Most of them were added after the bongo was manufactured. The pop top button will be the same but that’s it. All leisure battery’s were added later . My bongo only has one button in the front and it’s fog lights however for other people it sends power to the radio.

[@The01scott]

Happy birthday Ben 😊👍🍻

[@Bongoben]

Cheers mate 👍🍺

[@knightbrolaire526]

Awesome video! Thanks!

[@Bongoben]

Thanks for watching 👍

[@JohnWellings-mz2ue]

Very helpfully. Thanks

[@Bongoben]

Thanks for watching 👍

[@lynnharris4115]

We're loving your channel. How do we send you some Guiness?

[@Bongoben]

Thanks I’m glad you like the channel. I don’t have a P.O. Box I just have links in the videos description . Thanks for watching 👍🍻🚐

[@michaelrobinson4165]

There’s a 2.0 diesel isn’t there? Love your channel mate

[@Bongoben]

Cheers mate.in the really early models there is a 2.2 diesel and a 1.8 petrol so there could well be a 2l diesel.iv never seen one tho but yeah technically there are loads of other bongos including pickup trucks.but I was just focusing on the common campers.maybe I should have been a bit clearer on that in the video lol

[@michaelrobinson4165]

@@Bongoben that video was great mate not many people show you where everything is in the van! The one I’m buying is a 1995 Mazda bongo for my family of 6 😂😂they look amazing and can’t wait to get it! little does the Mrs know that I will be sat in a field with a beer just like you 👊😂👍

[@Bongoben]

@@michaelrobinson4165 Fantastic mate. so yours will be the diesel. i'm pretty sure everything is in the same place except your water pump is not behind the cambelt, so that's a lot easier to replace. I don't think i mentioned bleeding the coolant systems. The petrol is self bleed but diesel is not, so if you ever replace coolant, make sure you bleed the system. There are a few vids on youtube that will show you haw. welcome to the world of bongos lol. Hope you have some amazing adventures mate. 6 might be a bit of a squeeze if your camping in it .But you can always kick some kids out into a tent lol

[@MakeDoAndMend1]

Just for info we found our Bongo above 50mph tended to wallow roll about and difficult to keep in a straight line. New rear shocks solved the problem. Common problem on ex 8 seater mini bus Bongos. Like mine 23yrs old. Now campervan. George

[@Bongoben]

Thanks for sharing the info 👍

[@peskyparttimers8239]

Been to look at one this morning, Is the V6 the same engine that was in the Mk1 Mondeo?

[@Bongoben]

I don’t now to be honest. I don’t have much experience with the v6 . All I now is the cambelt change is around £1k so be careful with that but I have never herd anything else negative about them. Good luck in getting yourself a bongo 👍

[@arkhenaten8954]

Hello thanks for the video. I just purchased a diesel bongo, do I need fuel conditioner also? Thanks!

[@Bongoben]

No your good to go straight from the pump . Thanks for watching 👍 I hope you have some amazing adventures in your new van 🚐🍻😎

[@arkhenaten8954]

@@Bongoben thanks so much!

[@bordersw1239]

Stick some diesel cleaner in once a year - Google ‘Forte’.

[@siflaxman5049]

Good video ben

[@Bongoben]

Thanks for watching it 👍🍻🚐

[@WeaselWerkz]

good video btw thanks for the info

[@Bongoben]

Thanks for watching 👍🍺

[@leecoles6303]

I know this is probably going to be a dumb question. As I've said to you before I'm getting a bongo next year. Want a diesel. But what type of diesel would you recommend using. Cheers mate. Keep it real. Karma.

[@Bongoben]

As far as diesel types go, we only have one on the pumps were I live so I have never even looked into different types. If you mean the vehicles it’s self then I am only familiar with the 1995-1997 diesel vans which I think are the same . Some of the earlier bongos I don’t really now anything about so I can’t say much about them I’m afraid

[@jebusgodlike1302]

thank you

[@Bongoben]

Thanks for watching

[@UncalBertExcretes]

Epic dreads bro

[@Bongoben]

Cheers mate 👍🍺

[@JonathonOutdoors]

If its just a gas recharge and you aren't sure... Take it to Quick-Fit, if they can't make it 10% cooler with the recharge then there is no charge for the service and the gas is therefore free !

[@Bongoben]

That’s good to now. Thanks for sharing

[@keithlittle293]

What is e 10...? Oil ?

[@Bongoben]

Petrol. 90% petrol 10% ethanol. It probably varies from county to county but that it the fuel in the uk

[@keithlittle293]

So need to use the more expensive petrol?

[@Bongoben]

@@keithlittle293 unfortunately yes

[@LonicGheshu]

Driving +/- 5mph out is usually due to changed wheel sizes.

[@Bongoben]

That does make sense 👍

[@LonicGheshu]

​@@BongobenThey came with 15" wheels. Most people with 18" run low profile tyres that don't change the circumference (rolling distance) much, but I think 16" and 17" tend to be more out of whack. I have 15" and it's spot on mph with GPS but still triggers those speed warning signs saying I'm going too fast... clearly doesn't know I'm in a Bongo 😊

[@LonicGheshu]

The speedo measuring km and changing dials is NOT true for ALL Bongos. If the speedo dial goes up to 110mph then the dial is changed and odo is likely reading km. If the speedo dial goes to 180mph then that's the original kmh dial with probably a sticker to mph. In that case there is a chip installed behind the dash that converts the clicks per km from the engine to clicks per mile. In that case the odo has two options. Either it will have read km up to conversion then miles after, or the importer may have reversed the odo to equivalent miles.

[@Bongoben]

Oh ok. Iv never seen one with the dial up to 110 mph . Cheers for letting us now 👍 happy bongo travels mate

[@LonicGheshu]

​@@BongobenI only know because I have 180mph dial I found the chip. The kms on import were higher than my current reading on the odo too so it's been adjusted. I've tested speedo and odo readings are they're spot on for miles too. No faffing with MOTs and trying to calculate true mileage 😉

[@kevinwalsh2513]

Thanks for the vid….I definitely am not buying one now. Rust and parts issues.

[@Bongoben]

Thanks for watching. If you get one that’s been looked after correctly they can be great vehicles 👍🍻

[@WeaselWerkz]

woulda thought the driveability on the motorway would be to do with your chassis ie bushes and ball joints rather than the engine! motor wouldnt affect that lol

[@Bongoben]

Cheers for the feedback mate 👍🍺

[@Mrfatfingerz]

Boom! sweet got the 2.5l d😊

[@Bongoben]

Fantastic 👍 happy bongo travels mate

[@wingmasterjimmy6724]

Yes theres 3 different types of bongo- 1.mildly rotten 2 .fully rotten 3.completely rotten AVOID

[@trevorjudd516]

I've got year 2000 2.5 litre turbo diesel Ford Freda (same thing as Bongo) with heaps of troubles. I picked up some dirty fuel and may have damaged the engine. Got some investigating to do.....and you think parts are hard to get...damn near impossible here in Australia!

[@Bongoben]

I would have fort parts would have been easier to get being closer to Japan. Well that doesn’t sound good,best of luck to you mate,hope it all goes ok.