Keith Browning

Well, that is definitive. Thanks. Now, could you get a picture of the offending connector? With a piece of white paper behind it? /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/grin.gif

Greg, on the few I have replaced I noticed that the connectors on the PCV and the VCV require a little extra pressure to fully seat them. On the ones that fail, is it that the tabs are obviously bent or is it possible they are not being fully fully seated and locked in the first place? (no, I am not being a wise-ass - just posing a question) The first one I replaced gave me some trouble and I thought there was something wrong with the connectors. The tabs looked fine on that one but I did have to remove a rubber insert from one of the valve connectors... I wish I could remember the details.

It has been nearly three years since I started this topic and I just have to resurrect it. I cannot believe that there have not been many complaints about the power steering/brake groaning these trucks exhibit. Some are quiet and some are ridiculous. I currently have one that the usual P/S groan is actually not bad at all BUT this truck makes a chattering noise during some turns. I am really not sure where to go with it. I contacted the Hot Line (Hi Guys!) and I got a glazed over response - I may not have adequately described this as above and beyond the usual noise. So once again I defer to you Gents for any known concerns or successful repairs! Anyone? Buhler? Buhler? Buhler?

Eeeesh! I just wrapped one of these up but I didn't have any problems. Thanx for the heads up!!! You will get paid. Claim it as SPW ands submit it. Document your call to the Hot Line, PRINT OUT 2 COPIES OF YOUR HOT LINE ASSISTANCE REQUEST and staple one to the repair order. Keep the other for safe keeping. /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wink.gif

Great information and interesting read - http://www.fueleconomy.gov/

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Dave, I had to check fuel pressure going to the HPFP at the filter outlet. I had to disconnect that line and install the test hose in-line. I had to re-route the line and got pretty brutal with it. It wasn't leaking when it left but you got me thinking now... Those plastic coolant pipes absolutely SUCK! I have broken two and have the utmost respect for them when working around them. None-the-less, making those pipes out of that plastic is absolutely uncalled for.

Thank you for correcting me on this. I re-read the original post carefully and you are right so I did Google it and found a lot more information. I snagged a few pics too! The first one is the Transit Connect, the last three are the full sized Transit in different configurations.

Look at this thing! /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/surprise.gif http://www.altonco.com

Quote: Patience is a virtue. I used to think installing the bleeder was a must when changing filters... that was because early on I let my "certified" diesel techs service the first trucks. One tech just flipped the key and started the engine... it died... he came looking for the battery charger. Patience, yes, cycle the key 6 times for 30 second intervals after changing filters and all will be fine.

I totally agree. But, it is not a direct replacement for the Econoline. It almost looks like it's on a minivan platform for crying out loud. /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/surprise.gif I guess we will know better when we actually see one or get more details on it. If they offer a diesel we might have to go enlist some Britt's to join us!

Actually that is not a bad thought. I would take it a step further and REMOVE the entire intake tube at the turbo inlet. Check the green o-ring as mentioned but pay attention to the tube where the crankcase breather goes into the large tube. The rubber tends to deteriorate from contact with oil and cause leaks.

The Diesel tech on the Dodge side of my shop had a 2007 in that was all carboned up top to bottom, EGR, Turbo and plugged DPF. One of the things Dodge had him do was drill a hole in the turbine housing and install a plug where a decarbonizing fluid could be injected. It was water based but thats all he could tell me. The new turbos supposedly have a new housing with a hole in the casting with a plug in it.

I don't know but the web site describes this "thing" as a light duty hauler. The Sprinter comes in different capacities and is similar in construction to an Econoline. We had one in the back being cleaned for delivery and I checked it out. Not bad actually and there is a TON of room in those things. I think we are looking at a totally different class of vehicle honestly.

http://www.fordvehicles.com/transitconnect/ Interesting. I do agree that this vehicle will not be capable of handling some applications the current Econoline does. I simply don't see the Transit as a direct replacement. Perhaps they are counting on the F-Series to pick up those sales. This is all part of a major shift in the approach to the automotive industry in America.

I was tooling around a forum in the UK - Apparently there is news that the replacement(?) to the Econoline is the European Ford Transit Connect??? Quote: Transit Connect: Ford will import the 2010 Transit Connect, a small delivery van sold in Europe. The FWD van is assembled in Turkey on a reinforced version of C1, the European Ford Focus platform. Ford is expected to build the Transit Connect in North America for the 2013 model year. Assembly location likely will be in Louisville. With higher gasoline prices, Ford anticipates demand for a four-cylinder, fuel-efficient van that can be used for small-item delivery or by some tradespeople. Econoline, Transit: After decades of flirting with the idea, Ford plans to move to a single global full-size van platform. The van, code-named V363, will be based on the Transit van now sold in Europe. The Transit is available in a variety of sizes and configurations, including FWD and RWD. The North American Transit is expected to go into production for the 2012 model year at Ford's assembly plant in Avon Lake, Ohio, which now produces the E-Series van. The E-Series, also called the Econoline, is expected to be discontinued when U.S. production of the Transit begins. Sources said Ford expects global Transit volume of between 400,000 and 500,000 vans annually.

I got the oil analysis report today so I scanned it and PDF'd it for you to read. The highlights are that it reports CRITICAL levels of iron, aluminum, sodium, potassium, water and coolant. The ABNORMAL levels were for silicon and soot. No surprise there. Knowing the condition of the engine the Analysis Recommendations are kinda funny but the lab has no idea the engine was destroyed. I have not heard any news about this truck since it was towed away.

Amazingly I haven't been into music much in perhaps the last 10 years. I say amazingly because I am/used to be a bass player and played in a couple metal bands. Still have two basses, one hangs on my office wall and the other has been apart for paint for like the longest time. Oh, the Metallica tune? It is different but I still kinda liked it. I would be interested in hearing more of the new stuff now.

Wow. TDS has really gone down hill. A lot of speculation and guys trying to long-cock each other. What a shame.

Larry, for us it makes no sense to stock any CAT parts beyond filters. We are a TEPS dealer with no authority to perform any real repairs to these engines. I have enough information and diagnostic equipment to determine whether a concern is a Ford problem or a Caterpillar problem and decide who gets to perform the repair. Sure, we can do some small repairs and we are free to perform out of warranty repairs, but since we have no special tools, only see a handful of concerns per year it makes no sense to stock anything - especially with the current economic conditions. Whats more is that it would cost too much to become a certified CAT service dealer and with CAT dropping out of the on-highway engine business in two model years it's pointless.

I went with 2.5 - includes diag, time to look up the parts and I will wash the engine when done. I was able to get the kit yesterday as CAT had it in stock. Looks straight forward and aside from that the customer wants a few service items taken care of so its all good.

Don't kid yourself. A while back we had a sales driver bring a van from Quigley that had a loose lower radiator hose clamp at the radiator. He was oblivious to the over heating situation until there was enough smoke and steam to catch his attention. The damn thing was baked. The second thing I checked after I discovered the leaking connection was the standpipe. I have pictures of this somewhere. Pull the filter and look.

Depends on the model year but I prefer to just remove the lines from the top of the HCU. TO ME it is simpler and neater. You know, you say tomaaayyyto, I say tomaaahhhto. /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/laugh.gif

When I have Super Duty cabs off I will simply take a pry bar and collapse the calipers forcing fluid and the air back up into the master cylinder. Remember to pump the brakes up before you do anything else. Works very well and no bleeding. /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/grin.gif Don't know what vehicle this is but it needs to be disk brakes all around to work.

Even so, I bet liquor is still more effective. /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smirk.gif Ooooooh I am thinking evil thoughts.