Mk6 problems with an absolute beginner - Come in and help!

[Really Good Idea]

Without any mechanical know how or much thought I bought a 2006 Transit 90 T350 Long Wheel Base High Top. The plan is to use it a sort of stealthy long term camper. This is literally the first vehicle I've ever owned and I'm determined to get it mechanically sound, liveable, and get myself to a point where I'll be happy driving around Europe without wondering whether I'll make it back.

I've got a load of basic tools, sprays, a drill, the Haynes manual and the will to try anything. I'm good at taking stuff apart and figuring out what to do with Google and a bit of guidance, and I'm willing to do any work I can and buy parts and bits i'll need. For me I see this as a longer term investment in terms of knowledge and the van. That said - I'm gonna need some help!

FOR THE LOVE OF GOD PLEASE HELP ME

The Van: Been used as a bodged camper by a couple of previous owners. Sort of good shape, runs pretty well and doesn't have any real issues changing gear, no black smoke, starts first time every time so far, brakes and changing are ok. Has a decent sliding window on the side and a not decent smaller sliding window higher up. Bike rack! Half assed insulation literally just duct taped to the walls, some of the original plastic wrapping still present, over the insulation is some thin plywood or MDF bolted in. Also a crap vent and a random bolt on the back door both held in with random wood bits. Has a gas hob attached to a Calor Gas bottle, some crap LED's that half don't work, and some OK storage that will probably come out anyway.

Full album here https://imgur.com/a/tF4Mr





Things that are not good: -

Mechanically
1 - Oil is leaking when the van is stationary. I don't know where from because the engine is super dirty and I don't know what I'm looking for
2 - Speedo not reading, mileage not going up, and rev counter not working. Instrument cluster taken out and cleaned with contact spray but think it needs resoldering.
3 - Fuse boxes are dirty as hell and missing some relays R5 - Generator cut off R8 - Bulb check (vehicles without abs) R9 - Injector Module (mines a TDCi - I think) R11 - Lift Pump - some TDDi models?? R12 - Engine Cooling fan
4 - Engine looks super dirty and I can't get the small plastic cover off the front as the bolts are rusted as hell
5 - Maybe too shaky/rattly?
6 - Battery wiring is crap, gonna take it out, disconnect the lights and stuff in the back.
7 - Sliding door didn't open from outside, have fixed but keeps breaking again. I think just the design of the handle being plastic means if the corner jams a little, the plastic break on the outside allowing the latch to pull out of the housing. Anyone got any ideas or known fixes?
8 - Back door didn't shut at the bottom. Took out the clasp mechanism and WD40'd the sh*t out of it. Works now.
9 - One crap key fob, three keys. Some work, some don't. Order a replacement key fob inside and two set of flip out key and fob together type keys. Wanna figure out which keys work for what and just have two keys that do it all.

In the back
1 - All paneling and insulation is terrible - Half of it is out, will finish when I can a permit to go a tip (for real...)
2 - Probably some rust
3 - Smells a bit "natural"

Outside
1 - Passenger door is green. Apparently the second last owner decided to paint it all green, got that far and decided to give up. Why.
2 - Crappy blotchy paint and some rust
3 - Some dents
4 - Diesel flap broken
Overall not too bothered, will focus on the inside and mechanical, then work on outside rust, paint and bumps.

What next
Strip the crap out of the back, clean it up, brush down the rust with twist knot brush, use Kurust. All prepped for doing insulation and sound proofing
Get a soldering iron or friend to resolder the connector solder joints
Take it for a wash. Pressure wash the engine, clean out fuse boxes.
Fit reverse monitor, this thing is too big not to have one.
Use this Pumpkin ELM37 Bluetooth scanner and Forscan to read any issues https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01 ... D8YE&psc=1

HELP
How do I figure out where the oil is coming from - bearing in mind I barely know what an engine is. Guess I'll have to properly clean it first.
What should I do to clean? I have some spray degreaser foam but I'd like to cover the electrics and foam and power wash the engine so I can see what I'm trying to look for. Can a hand car wash do this?
How can I clean the fuseboxes? Can I remove the whole box?
Is it possible to completely remove the wiring loom and redo it easily?
Any advice on the dashboard? Speedo not reading, mileage not going up, and rev counter not working, only the diesel gauge works. I'm looking through things, tried the fuses and a contact clean, solder next.

[ned]

Just to confirm you have a TDDI 2.4 90ps mk6 RWD (not a tdci)

The Haynes book of lies will cause more problems.

If you have the blue chip in your spare keys the jag flip keys can be modified to work in the transit, check out the how to section for details.

Transits leak oil its the law

Your van isn't fitted with a lift pump or injector module that's why those relay's are missing. N

[Beaker]

This is certainly the place to ask any mechanical and electrical questions, and you will get some great advice from people who really know their stuff.

If you want any help regarding the camper conversion side of things, the best place to post is the Camper Vans and Conversions section further down the main page.

I could not have got my camper done without help from the guys on here and in the Camper section.


I've just had a look at your album, it does not look great but I've seen a lot worse. I would remove all the wiring and start again from scratch. Then you will know it's bee done properly.

A word of warning though, that "natural" smell is probably mould. Be VERY careful how you strip out the interior. My guess is that roof lining is damp and full of mould. WEAR A GOOD MASK and some protective overalls when you take it out and dispose of it quickly and carefully. That sh*t can make you very ill indeed so don't take any chances. The spores can spread everywhere, so try to cause as little disturbance to it as possible. Wash everything down with disinfectant or bleach or you risk it all growing back again.

[misterdog]

Welcome aboard...
If you post your van reg here ( viewtopic.php?f=5&t=37058) you will get all your van details, then add the basics to your 'signature' (user control panel up top) so every post has your van info, see mine below.



Slap one of these on, then you don't need reversing sensors

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ford-transit- ... Swsm1ZwAhH

Though they are easy to fit.

I would look for some glazed new rear doors (Mk7 fits also) and possibly rear view mirror.

Auxiliary heating is a must..
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/EBERSPACHER-D ... SwuOxZvqrX

Wrap the engine bay fuse box well and pressure clean to find the oil leak.

[knobby1]

A word of warning though, that "natural" smell is probably mould. Be VERY careful how you strip out the interior. My guess is that roof lining is damp and full of mould. WEAR A GOOD MASK and some protective overalls when you take it out and dispose of it quickly and carefully. That sh*t can make you very ill indeed so don't take any chances. The spores can spread everywhere, so try to cause as little disturbance to it as possible. Wash everything down with disinfectant or bleach or you risk it all growing back again.

Good advice that..^^

Lord Knobrot

[ned]

A word of warning though, that "natural" smell is probably mould. Be VERY careful how you strip out the interior. My guess is that roof lining is damp and full of mould. WEAR A GOOD MASK and some protective overalls when you take it out and dispose of it quickly and carefully. That sh*t can make you very ill indeed so don't take any chances. The spores can spread everywhere, so try to cause as little disturbance to it as possible. Wash everything down with disinfectant or bleach or you risk it all growing back again.

Good advice that..^^

Lord Knobrot

I concur, I would also use fungicidal wash you can get 4L from wickes for about 5 sovs. N

[Really Good Idea]

A word of warning though, that "natural" smell is probably mould. Be VERY careful how you strip out the interior. My guess is that roof lining is damp and full of mould. WEAR A GOOD MASK and some protective overalls when you take it out and dispose of it quickly and carefully. That sh*t can make you very ill indeed so don't take any chances. The spores can spread everywhere, so try to cause as little disturbance to it as possible. Wash everything down with disinfectant or bleach or you risk it all growing back again.

Good advice that..^^

Lord Knobrot

I concur, I would also use fungicidal wash you can get 4L from wickes for about 5 sovs. N

Well... it's not mold.It smells, you know, a bit "medicinal". Like someone had arthritis.

[Really Good Idea]

Update: I'm going to resolder all the dry solder joints, probably do it myself if I can't find anyone to do it locally cheap.

Battery wiring was utter shite. Took off the drivers seat after some hassle and the wiring was two car batteries with a relay, with all the electrics coming off of that. Wiring was correct but messy and taped together, and the second battery was leaking and has spewed out battery foam. Pulled it out, took out all of the wiring in the back - the lights were barely working anyway. Now just one battery and nothing coming off of it.

One new fob arrived, need advice for when the two flip fobs arrive. How can I remove the metal key from the plastic? Do I need the little blue thing in the top corner and how do I use it? Can I program a new fob whilst keeping the old one working?

Went to a tip. Van is too tall. Wish the attendant who waved me in would have said something before I got a nice new bit of bodywork to work on...

Ripping out all of the insulation and wood in the back, removed the calor gas canister as I'll probably switch to something I can buy around the EU.

Got lots of bits and bobs including a voltmeter, kurust, twisted wire drill bits for rust removal, an OBD Bluetooth Module from Pumpkin that I can't get working - though I've read it's temperamental so I'll try some more.

Also missing the small middle panel above the radio, the smaller one. What was supposed to be there?

[ned]

Advice for your keys
viewtopic.php?f=18&t=136854

Is your code reader WiFi, if so have you link your devise to it via WiFi.

Did you find any herbs in the van

The van would have been fitted with a radio that filled the dash, post a pic of the missing part, if a smaller after market radio has been fitted then you might need to buy a surround piece. N

[Really Good Idea]

Did you find any herbs in the van

Nothing left, checked behind all the panels too!

Got the key thing sorted, gonna do a bit more testing with the unit but I think I need to try another. Next lot of problems up! In cleaning the interior of the van and taking all of the mdf, plastic and the bulkhead and over the head compartment bits out I've noticed a few things

My first job is to properly clean the interior, file down any rust and screw holes trying to remove any sharp edges and potential areas that would let in damp and attract rust, treat the rust with kurust, then use waxoyl in these areas and finish with paint. I'm currently using wire brushes and a twisted end drill attachment to get most of it down. What is the best way to go about all of this? Is it worth using anything like fiberglass to cover small screw holes like the ones on the floor and over wheel arches that are most likely to get wet?

There are also two aerial ports. The one of the left seems a little rusty but not bad, the one on the right is rusted all around and I will be able to push a hole through the roof and take it off, so I want to get it out and patch up that hole. What's the best thing to do here for a 2-3 inch hole on a curve? On the left side I need to prevent the same happening too, advice?




There also a big dent in the top left by the aerial that's pushed in the metal, gonna try hammering it out with hot water, tips?



And the missing compartment is this little one above the radio, seperate from the main radio box. What's it called? Thinking of getting something put in to hold a mobile there.

[ned]

Do you mean this hole

WP_20170925_08_17_42_Pro.jpg

Where the clock lives If so transit mk6, fiesta, puma and i think escort clocks fit, there only a few sovs from the junkyard.


With the dent drill some small holes in it, screw in some screws and pull out most of the dent then finish off with some filler, sand it smooth and paint it. N

[Really Good Idea]

Where the clock lives

Sweet.

With the dent drill some small holes in it, screw in some screws and pull out most of the dent then finish off with some filler, sand it smooth and paint it.

I'll probably give this a go or invest in a plunger.


Here is a video of the =wiring inside if anyones interested.
https://sendvid.com/fd5gld43

@10 seconds there a wire that comes of the main right side loom and runs through to the middle of the roof, then is taped to the roof to the bulkhead and goes nowhere, is this safe to remove?

@1 minute the left loom ends in a junction box and a couple of connectors, and resources out there for checking this is all good?

@2 minutes the same happens as at 10 second but further back, looks like a light connector, again safe to remove?

[steviebee]

If you shop around for a clock ( as nedforceone's photo) you can get one that does the outside temperature from a Puma or Fiesta as well. Make sure the get the wiring loom that goes on the back though. A piece of cake to to fit. I have the wiring colour code if needed.

[MrBoneseyman]

You'd have had a more reliable van if you went for a vw t4. No offence intended to transit owners, but they are a better van.