Diary of an Ordinary Van

[MIXA]

It always seems the more space the more uneseccery junk manages to creep back in

[MrMPuk]

In the Autumn 2006 issue of Backbone, along with several articles about the 'New Ford Transit - Feel the difference' (that's the Mk7 content), there was an article about a 100L Mk2 appearing on stage at the National Theatre. The van was supplied by Peter Lee (http://transitvanclub.co.uk/Transitclub.htm), and the play was David Eldridge's Market Boy.

That is the van below in my sig.

[Vee4]

It always seems the more space the more unnecessary junk manages to creep back in.

That's true, so the ongoing part of the Resolution is to make sure that doesn't happen, or at least to have a regular clear out!

That is the van below in my sig.

Interesting! Where is it now? I think the review was unfair in describing it as a 'A battered transit (sic) van' since it looks very smart. My Mk2 was the same model (in white), and it could reasonably have been described as battered, although in the classified advert I bought it from, it was described as immaculate. It did make it backstage at a number of events, but never actually 'trod the boards'.

[Altransit]

Where is it now?

Peter Lee still owns it, I believe So it resides, not too far from me, near Buckingham

[madmark_50484]

Perhaps you could add the ordinary van to here viewtopic.php?f=14&t=27933&start=90 would make it the newest mk7 (for now)

[MrMPuk]

That is the van below in my sig.

Interesting! Where is it now? I think the review was unfair in describing it as a 'A battered transit (sic) van' since it looks very smart. My Mk2 was the same model (in white), and it could reasonably have been described as battered, although in the classified advert I bought it from, it was described as immaculate. It did make it backstage at a number of events, but never actually 'trod the boards'.

The van was mint before it was used by the them. In the pic in my sig I have photoshopped it a bit. I believe that it has now had a new wing and had a respray.

[madmark]

the van still remains with pete lee and he loves it ! yes it has recenly been painted and is still in great condtion !

[Vee4]

Perhaps you could add the ordinary van to here viewtopic.php?p=511933#p511933 would make it the newest mk7 (for now)

Thanks for the invitation! I have added the Ordinary Van to the list, although I expect the position will be short-lived. I don't think any of my other Transits would have qualified for a place, since they were all from the middle period of their respective marks.

Thanks to all for the info about the Mk2 at the National Theatre. Time to bring the thread back 'on topic' with some more Ordinary Van postings ...

[Vee4]

Rust never sleeps

A statement of fact familiar to Transit owners. To Neil Young fans 'Rust Never Sleeps' is an album by Neil Young and Crazy Horse released in 1979:



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rust_Never_Sleeps

It is claimed that the phrase was originally coined as an advertising slogan for Rust-Oleum, a product familiar to Transit owners. I don't see the phrase used on any current products. The Wikipedia article also casts doubt on this suggestion:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rust-Oleum

Since the 'salty' weather has passed for a few days (in my manor, at least), I washed down the Ordinary Van. This made it look nice and shiny again but also provided the opportunity for a look round. The following signs of corrosion I had noticed before and the photographs were taken a few days ago. I didn't find any other brown stains today.



The steps in the front bumper I believe to be stainless steel, but obviously the screws are not - the plating has been damaged during assembly leading to immediate rusting in this exposed position. The screws are in nylon expansion fittings, so they need to be replaced with stainless steel versions as soon as possible. I have applied a smear of grease to slow the rust until this is done.



The rear door hinges had a white bloom like corrosion residue when dry and it looked as if the bushings were starting to disintegrate. The hinges do look flimsy. I applied some oil to repel the water.

[Vee4]

The wrong kind of sludge?

While washing and checking over the Ordinary Van, I noted one globule of oil/water emulsion on the tip of the dipstick! Recalling coconut's contribution (below), I checked the oil filler cap and found more globules there. My conclusion is that the globule on the dipstick formed in the dipstick tube above the oil level, attached itself as the dipstick was withdrawn and that it is, in fact, the right kind of sludge.

The dirt on sludge: viewtopic.php?f=5&t=47752&start=0

19431 - NEW TRANSIT - WHITE EMULSION
ON SOME 2.2L NEW TRANSITS, DURING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE OR A REPAIR, A WHITE EMULSION MAY BE NOTED ON THE INNER SURFACE OF THE OIL FILLER TUBE OR ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE OIL FILLER CAP, ESPECIALLY IN COLD CLIMATE CONDITIONS WITH HIGH NUMBER OF START/STOPS. IF THERE ARE NO SIGNS OF POSSIBLE HEAD GASKET FAILURE, PLEASE WIPE CLEAN AND CONTINUE WITH SERVICE.
EFFECTIVE DATE: 17/10/2006

Also added sludge link on the links page of the Diary: viewtopic.php?p=457302#p457302

[Vee4]

Don't panic, Captain Mainwaring!

Unlocking the load compartment (also known as the back door) from the deadlocked condition, I pulled on the handle too soon. The door wouldn't open and subsequent pressing of the key fob button flashed the lights but did not unlock it. I took a step back, deadlocked the van again and then the door unlocked normally with one press of the button, and a judicious pause before pulling on the handle.

Tran59 commented on the slow response of the locking system too: viewtopic.php?p=410767#p410767

[Vee4]

You've found that sinking feeling ...

To the tune of "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'", The Righteous Brothers 1965 chart-topping single:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/You've_Los ... n'_Feelin'



I decided to copy this (viewtopic.php?f=5&t=59742&start=0) here as markbutler's comments are relevant to the Ordinary Van and there are some useful brake-related links.

Had my van in to Ford today about the brakes, when the van is at a standstill the brake pedal will gradually go flat to the floor.

You could try reading this topic: viewtopic.php?f=5&t=21637&start=0&hilit=tandem+servo

and this where there is a link to a description of the tandem servo: viewtopic.php?p=434002#p434002

and this where the problem is discussed (page 13) as it affects MOT testing: http://www.dft.gov.uk/vosa/repository/M ... 202009.pdf

Having learned to drive in Ye Olde Days, I always set the handbrake when I am stationary for more than a few seconds. I have noticed a tendency for the brake pedal to sink slowly if I hold it while stopped for a short period, in a traffic queue for example, and that prompts me to set the handbrake. I will try it for longer.

When vacuum servos were introduced on cars and vans, mostly they were petrol-engined and using the vacuum from the inlet manifold was an elegant solution to the problem of providing brake assistance. The vacuum is highest when you need it most - moving fast and throttle closed as you shift from accelerator to brake pedal. Stopped and idling, the vacuum is lower but you only need the brakes to stop you rolling.

A diesel engine has no natural inlet manifold vacuum so a separate pump is used. Thus full vacuum is available even when idling, and this can mean that the master cylinder pistons are gradually 'sucked in' if pedal pressure is maintained when stationary, resulting in that sinking feeling. Is it a feature or a fault? (End of copied post)

Two entries in one day! Steady on there ...

PS: if you can bring yourself to read anything about the S******r, you could try this series of tests on your Transit:

http://www.motorhomefacts.com/ftopicp-406089.html

[ake]

Its usually my side door that I try to open to quickly, then have to lock and unlock again, its a pest

I complained about the soft pedal on my van when it was only a few months old and was told 'They are all like that Sir'

[Vee4]

It's not a new problem ...

The Ordinary Van has had to dodge so many potholes created by the recent icy weather that on this Burns Night, I recalled his 'Epigram On Rough Roads':

http://www.robertburns.org/works/135.shtml

If you've not already planned your celebration of Burns Night (25 January - any year you like since 1759), here's a suggestion from the BBC:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/robertburns/burnsn ... rder.shtml

Mk7 content? You could deliver the haggis (vegetarian version, of course) in your Mk7 van, the pipe band in your Mk7 Tourneo and the logs for the fire in your Mk7 tipper.

[ake]

You could just have a lone piper, and a bag of coal, and you could fit all of it into an Ordinary van