Just be sure to do your required scheduled maintenance for the 3.2L Diesel engine. Most had problems with the exhaust getting clogged up with the regeneration system not working properly with the DEF. Some buyers have had NO problems so you may be one of the ones who have no problems with your vehicle.

 

Thank you for the feedback. By the way, the seats I purchased from you work great when I use my van as a mobile conference room.

 

If a shop ever produces an EGR delete kit for that motor I'd love to have the diesel, so glad I avoided it, almost bought one before the ecoboost model

 

All the new add-ons to get diesel engines to comply with emissions standards have pretty much negated the benefits of having a diesel engine. They still get slightly better MPG than gas, but there is a higher maintenance cost, and you can't idle them for very long without throwing a monkey wrench into the system. And at least around here, diesel often costs as much as supreme.

Not that I'm pro-pollution, I just think there was an engineering rush to market to meet new standards. Hopefully they will figure out something more efficient, durable, and practical with the time they bought with the EGR and DPF and all that.

 

20/20 hindsight I should have purchased the ecoboost, but did not research prior to finding all the features in a van I wanted. I have a diesel in my 2008 F350 dually and it has over 100K of trouble free miles, towing very very heavy stuff. I guess I just need to smart about proper maintenance.

 

... I have a diesel in my 2008 F350 dually and it has over 100K of trouble free miles, towing very very heavy stuff. I guess I just need to smart about proper maintenance.

The really onerous problems with diesel emissions controls (in the US) started with vehicles that have diesel engines built after Jan 1, 2010.

2007-2009 have DPF (and it's fuel-sucking regen cycles) and more problems than 2004-2006 diesels (but typically still a lot easier to reprogram to disable the problematical stuff than newer models). 2010+ is a lot more complicated, adding SCR with DEF injection and a lot more sensors that have to work right all the time to avoid going into limp mode. And most manufacturers have the engine control modules locked down (e.g.: RSA-signed encrypted calibration files) so that re-programming them isn't nearly as easy as it was 10 years ago.

 

It would be great to have an actual 3.2 transit focused forum. There are so many opinions that are not substantiated. Our 3.2 transit has 15k trouble free. Average MPG is 30.5. Best tank is 35. Worst is 27.5. Hand calculated. Great power. Quite. But I'd appriciate a forum of folks that is focused on addressing issues when they arise.

 

30 MPG??? That's even higher than their quoted spec (25 MPG). What year is yours? And do you have a low roof?

Would love to have a dedicated diesel forum or thread - such an unpopular subject on this forum to ask and share info. I too bought a used Transit before knowing about the potential problems with newer Diesel engine. 2016, mid-roof, with 100K miles on it. Been building out camper van for almost 2 years. Spent so much effort on it now I wish I bought a new car so there's less worry about my time investment into this vehicle.

Thank God the car is running fine for now. Had EGR Valve replaced (under warranty). Been maintaining it. 2nd oil change soon. Will also flush out transmission oil soon.

I really want to remove the DPF and have it professionally cleaned, but can't unbolt it myself. Looking for a shop to do this for me. I get only about 100 miles between regen.

MPG is about 19-21 right now.

 

Diesels are great, as long as you keep up with maintenance and most importantly, drive them. They are designed to be driven long distances with loads, it is the short, run to the market, trips that cause a majority of the issues.

 

Reading all the posts from other diesel owners is making me a more knowledgeable owner. Wow! This is almost as complicated as my annual communication with the IRS. Just had my first full service maintenance completed at my Ford dealer and with a full check up the feedback was "all is good". I have not ever recorded mileage on trips over 20 MPG per tank of fuel, but have a high roof and long wheel base. Did not expect better. I would enjoy a forum thread dedicated to diesel engines in the Transit. Can a forum moderator set one up?