3 Common Problems With The Ford Transit Connect 1.5 TDCI MK2 (2013-Onwards)
While the Ford Transit Connect 1.5L diesel offers an economical 1.5L engine, and has an attractive-looking design, they do have a range of faults which we’ll explore below.
If you are thinking of buying a Ford Transit Connect in the London area, or already own one in Buckinghamshire, Berkshire or Surrey and are looking to sell your van, this article will help you to make an informed decision about the problems from which these vans suffer.
Our reputable van dealers have extensive experience with these vehicles.
One expensive repair which we have been caught out by a few times is head gasket failure, a weak area of the 1.5 TDCI engine. Is your van losing water with no visible leaks? Does your van have a creamy sludge around the oil cap? These are symptoms of head gasket issues.
More specifically, a feature of the Ford Transit Connect which we have noticed is small bubbles entering the coolant tank from the return pipe which sits directly in front of it. With the engine running, make sure there are absolutely no bubbles entering the coolant tank. Also you can check this by revving the vehicle hard, there still should be no bubbles entering the coolant tank.
With the engine off, open the coolant tank and make sure the coolant looks completely clean with no dark deposits in it. These are all symptoms of a head gasket problem which can be a costly repair. An alternative to repairing the van would be to sell it to a van-buying specialist like sellthevan.co.uk.
Another common issue with these vans is the cambelt breaking.
The cambelt is a serviceable part of the engine which can be replaced for around £300-£400. We would recommend changing the cambelt at around 70,000 miles.
If your van has done significantly higher mileage, then you should change the cambelt as soon as possible. It is much better to change a cambelt than change an engine! If you are unsure whether the van you have bought has had the cambelt changed, firstly check the service history for any receipts signalling that the belt has been changed.
Check around the engine area for any stickers saying that the belt has been changed as some garages put these stickers around the engine bay when they replace the cambelt. If there is no paperwork or stickers then inspect the timing belt cover area (shown on the right). If you can see a fresh-looking sealant around the edges of the cover, then it has most likely been changed. Also check for oil leaks around the timing cover, this could be a sign that your belt has not been changed as the seals holding the timing belt cover together are starting to perish. If you are still unsure, you could try calling Ford to see if they have any evidence that the belt has been changed on their system. You could also try calling garages who have previously serviced the van (if their name is on any receipts) as companies often have the same garages do all their maintenance work. If you can’t find any proof of the belt being changed, then book it into a local garage for a cambelt change.
If you are looking to buy an automatic model, then make sure the gearbox is completely smooth with no judders, jumping or slipping when pulling away. If the gearbox does not quite feel as smooth as it should, then you may have a problem with the transmission. Does the van jump forward when you engage it in drive? Does the van struggle to select reverse gear? These are all symptoms of automatic gearbox problems. Unfortunately repairing the automatic gearbox can be expensive, with a lack of gearbox specialists in the London area. An alternative option would be to sell your van with its gearbox problem to sellthevan.co.uk.
A family-run business based in Berkshire, near Heathrow Airport, we offer highly competitive prices for your van.
Our dealers can collect your vehicle free of charge from anywhere in Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Surrey or the surrounding locations. Ford is just one the many brands of vans which we can buy for a fair and competitive price.
Hopefully this article has been helpful in summarising the head gasket, cambelt and gearbox issues associated with the 1.5 TDCI Ford Transit Connect. If you have any further questions about these vans, you can always contact our specialists on 01753 267270.
If you have any broken or damaged van you wish to sell, visit sellthevan.co.uk for a same-day quote.
