Ford Transit Problems

The idea has flaws, from the difficulty in removing a part-finished car from production to potential undercoat damage in shipment to the eventual warranty coverage. It sounds good on paper but is impractical.

We're sending the message direct to Broadmeadows.

The engine would run on bio-diesel, but if you swap you should service it and replace filters etc. after running a tank of bio through it. The bio-diesel will remove all the varnish that's built up in the fuel system and that will accumulate in the filters. It should be fine after doing that service, but I wouldn't advise doing it unless you can get bio-diesel wherever you go. It's not a good idea to be switching back and forth. A "Power Chip" is claimed to improve the economy, but you need to drive accordingly to achieve the claimed improvement. Most people don't get the economy benefits because they make use of the increase in power it also delivers.  Fitting a second reserve tank would be a good move, that way you can take advantage of price swings and buy when the fuel is cheapest; you can also buy in the major centres where the rice is usually lower than in remote areas and the quality more reliable. Transits are prone to turbo failure, so I would have the dealer check that before you go bush.

I haven't heard of it before, but I reckon your mechanic is on the mark when he says it's the turbo. I would have the turbo checked for sure.

THANKS Sam, and for anyone thinking of doing the conversion the information about the need to change the diff ratio is important to note. For readers in Victoria, we have been told the Castlemaine Rod Shop is able to do the conversion too.

I HAVEN'T heard of the conversion, but perhaps our readers might be able to throw some light on it.

IT SHOULDN'T happen, but there is clearly a problem with the tensioner, which has allowed the chain to slacken and eventually break. When a chain breaks it often results in serious damage to the engine, and I'm not surprised it cost so much to repair. I reckon Ford treated you badly by simply paying for the tensioner kit when they should in my mind have paid for most, if not all, of the repair costs. Go direct to Ford and request they reimburse you.