Introduction

The Mazda Bongo is a family van with many different models introduced in different years having varying characteristics. There are many plus points of the vehicle but a common problem is with the water pipe connected to the cooling system of the van. When the engine gets hotter, the pipes come under pressure and there is a possibility that the pipe bursts and this could then result in overheating of the engine. The problem could be solved by using an additional cable to provide safety to the pipe.

Models

The Mazda Bongo was first introduced in 1966 and many models have appeared in the market since then. These models are described by the year of their introduction.

1966

1966 was the year of introduction of the Mazda Bongo van and was introduced as a small van by the Mazda Motors. It came in two versions, the F800 and the F1000. These versions had a life span of 12 years, that is, the production of these two versions of the Bongo Van continued till 1978 when the new model was introduced. The 1966 model of Bongo Van came with an engine power of 782 cc and was a 4-stroked water-cooled engine. The engine was droved by the rear wheels.

1978

Mazda started the production of another Bongo van in 1978. It was a mid engine van and was rear wheel dive. This van was also acquired by the Ford Company and sold it in the market under the name of Ford Econovan. Apart from that, the Mazda Company manufactured it and exported it under different specifications. These were the E1300, E1400 and E1600. In 1978 the E1300 was introduced in the market with an engine capacity of 1.3 L and strength of 60 hp. Later that year, the E1600 was also introduced in the market with engine capacity of 1.6 L and strength of 80 hp. The production of this model continued till 1982. In 1979 Mazda introduced the E1400 model of this van having the engine capacity of .4 L and strength of 70 hp. This van was less powerful than the E1600 and consumed less fuel than it.

1983

Alterations were made in the design of the Bongo Van and it was introduced in the market with new designs and technology in 1983. The van came with different versions of which the Bongo Brawny was one that came with a long wheelbase. Other than that, three versions of the van were introduced FE, RF and S2. The production of the FE model started in 1983 and ended in 1988. It was a petrol engine van with an engine capacity of 2 L. RF was a diesel engine van with a capacity of 2 L and was manufactured from 1983 to 1988. The S2 model was also a diesel engine van but having an engine capacity of 2.2 L. its production also stared in 1983 and ceased in 1988.

1989

In the year 1989 Mazda introduced the Bongo van with certain changes and named it the SS Platform Bongo. This van had a production life of about ten years, that is, it was produced till 1998. The van was also sold by the Nissan Company under the name of Nissan Vanette.

1995

The Mazda SG Platform Bongo Friendee was introduced in the Japanese market in the year 1995. The van was launched both in petrol as well as the diesel engine. The diesel engine version of the van came with an engine capacity of 2.5 L. this engine is also used in the Ford pickup in the UK. As far as the petrol engine is concerned, two versions RS-V I4 and RF-V V6 were introduced in the market. The RS version came with an engine capacity of 2 L whereas the other version came with an engine capacity of 2.5 L. the SG Platform is an eight seated van and is gaining popularity in the UK. One model of the van was introduced by the company with a fitted kitchen unit which attracted the families of the UK.

1999

In mid 1998, the company introduced an updated van with certain added features. This van came with two versions F8-E and R-2. F8-E was SOHC with an engine capacity of 1.8 L. the other version was a diesel engine van with an engine capacity of 2 L.