Flat spot, rough engine sound.

[Perko]

Hi

Full disclosure, I know nothing about motors. I fit kitchens so my van is an important tool. My trusty old sprinter died a couple of months ago. Replaced it with a 64 plate LWB transit and had nothing but problems which started the day I picked it up from the garage I bought it off. Picked it up today (3rd time it’s been in and they’ve had it for 3 weeks this time) and I don’t think much has been done to it.

One problem is to do with the ECU, the traction control light comes on at about 50-60 miles for no reason. Can be doing a steady 70 along a smooth motorway (if there is such a thing) and it’ll come on for no reason. They tell me this is fixed, for the third time. I’ve not taken it on a long enough trip today to find out but as it’s wet I floored it very briefly a couple of times to get the wheels spinning and the traction control light didn’t come on at all. It does come on briefly to signal it’s working when you fire the van up though. This may well be fixed but I’m not convinced, will see tomorrow cos I’ll be doing a longer journey.

The other problem that’s really got to me today is a big flat/dead spot through all the gears at low revs. When you change gear, it takes maybe 3 seconds for any real power to be delivered. It also sounds really rough until you get to maybe 2000rpm and the rough sound almost goes. So driving in built up areas, it sounds like a 40 year old transit while I’m doing 25-30mph in 4th (best way I can think to describe it). I’ve paid for a couple of diagnostic tests to be done since I’ve had it. Glowplugs 2 and 3 are down and the DPF was almost completely blocked, he told me the DPF can’t regen as the glowplugs are down. They should’ve been doing the glowplugs while they’ve had it over the past 3 weeks but have seen on another diagnostic today that they’ve not been changed. First couple of times it went back to the garage I got it back and it drove a lot better for a few days (engine sounded sweet and better power delivery) then the rough sound and lack of performance came back. This time is just sounds rough straight away with a flat spot and general lack of power. Any ideas what this rough sound and lack of power might be? The DPF has been cleaned and is showing 21% today. It was 95% blocked before I took it back in.

I was going to pay for the glowplugs to be done myself but just been told it could be up to £800 if 3 and 4 snap cos it’s rear wheel drive and they’ll need to drop the engine to drill them out.

If anyone has any suggestions on what these issues might be I’d be very grateful for any advice. It is under warranty still but I do like the van and just feel like I’ve not got the energy fighting to get my money back and then go look for another van!

Thanks in advance for any help!

Dan