Transit Custom: ventilation holes in chassis members

[Timco158]

IMG_20190716_123820.jpg

Does anyone know the intended function of the holes described below, in my recent email to Ford Customer Service, to which I have received an acknowledgement, but no answers?

"Dear Ford,

I recently purchased, new, from Bristol Street Stoke, Transit Custom 280 Trend 130hp DY19EYW (WF0YXXTTGYJS37570) as a replacement for Transit 280 Executive 100hp DU02BVX (WF0VXXBDFV1E13823, also purchased by me, new), which, at only 70,000 miles, was mechanically sound, but had become uneconomic due to rusting of main chassis members and sills. I would like to do my best to prevent the same thing happening to the new van, which seems to be of similar construction. To assist with this, I would like to ask about the intended function of holes in the chassis members in two particular places.



1. A large oval hole, both sides, ahead of the front wheels, visible when looking inside the wheel arch (see attached photo of LHS one, taken after around 1000 miles). This hole can be seen on all Transits, at least from 2001, but attention is drawn to it on Trend and Limited models because it is repeated in the black plastic wheel arch liner which is of such a design that it might actually increase the amount of muddy or salty spray which enters the box section. What is the function of this hole? Is there any way I might reduce the amount of dirty water that enters without creating other problems?

2. A square hole in the RHS inner sill, about half-way along it, large enough so that I can put my hand through, into the sill cavity, with unused screw-holes at two corners. On my old Transit, DU02BVX, there was a similar hole, but on the LHS, and it was fitted with a plastic (one-way?) vent. Should there be a vent fitted on the new vehicle? Has it been omitted on purpose or by mistake? Again, is there anything I can do to prevent dirty water entering?


Hoping for some answers before they start putting salt on the roads!"

[Cider Andy]

That large hole in your last photo does look a similar shape to the plastic vent you remember on your Mk6. I doubt they will have forgotten to fit it: maybe it's for something in a different market that they don't deem necessary in the UK? Sorry, I've no help to offer otherwise!

[Timco158]

I regard this as important, rusting-wise. Doesn't anyone else worry about salty, muddy, water splashing inside their box-sections?

[metalworker0]

all holes are made so it lets air out and lets fluids in during the production process, when the whole shell is dipped in phosphate. so it fills up and drains easily.

you can do what you like with them

see here
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqvhMtectI8

in my opinion though, they should have found some way of blocking them off, once the painting process is over with.

all the best.mark

[metalworker0]

Yes i had to put new sills on my connect and did everything i could to make sure it did not happen again

see this thread.

viewtopic.php?f=54&t=226877

maybe too late for you, unless you have more access somehow to hidden parts than on my connect and there isn't much rust taking hold ..this should be done after major sill replacement ..or within lets say 5 years of manufacture.

i drilled extra access holes as i did the job.

a boroscope camera may reveal hidden places you didn't know about

all the best.mark