[Remford]

Just discovered my new 2016 EcoBoost High Roof Extended Length Cargo Van's AC Condenser requires replacement after being struck by a rock - a non-warranty repair. Not happy news at just 2,200 miles.

I'm doubly frustrated because a replacement part won't be available for three weeks or more. I doing some digging, I found out the current part revision has more than 400 units on backorder ahead of any further dealer orders.

For such a new vehicle, so many requiring replacement of a single specific part is troubling at best. The AC system itself my be fine, but the physical situation within the engine compartment may be leaving it exposed to high rates of damage.

Has anyone else needed to replace an AC condenser on his Transit so soon under similar circumstances?

Many thanks!

 

[EddieZ]

I have to question that 400 ordered figure, at least for any correlation to vehicles damaged in use. Why? Because, if it really was a common problem, we would have heard about it, here... as with the air box and giubo issues. So far, your's is the only report of condenser damage.

 

[Remford]

I understand. I'd feel the same if it weren't for the bona fides of the resource I turned to.

 

[star gazer]

I think someone else had this issue. Could some sort of screen be installed in front of it?

 

[Remford]

I'd love it if it could be done without compromising the air flow. The good news is that the previous revision level part fits and seems to work fine.

$550 all in - P&L

 

[HJone]

Rock Hits a/c condensers

I am a Ford fleet owner. We have run Econolines for 15+million miles for over 30 years. Great vehicles! We started acquiring Transits in 2015. Currently have 11 TRANSIT units in Fleet. 2015s, 2016s, 2017s, and 2018s. A/C condenser rock hits latest problem. Just had one replaced on a 4 month old 2018 high roof extended length 2018 (4 months old) Due to the location and grill design we are experiencing a lot of rock damage to other a/c condensers. Hitting the fins does't produce leaks. So far we have only had to replace one with tube damage. Still under 3yr/36 month warranty $1300 at dealership. Need to find a screen to protect. Ford needs to redesign the grill or provide a screen. Just one more example of customers doing product testing for Ford at their own expense. We are into tens of thousands of dollars out of pocket expenses on these vans. THESE VANS ARE UNBELIEVABLY POORLY ENGINEERED AND BUILT!!!!. MULTITUDE OF PROBLEMS!!! DO NOT EXPECT ACTION OR MEANINGFUL CONVERSATION FROM FORD!!! WE CAN ONLY HOPE THEY GET BETTER IN THE NEAR FUTURE!!! ANYONE WANT TO JOIN A CLASS ACTION?

A LONG TIME LOYAL FORD FLEET CUSTOMER

 

[86scotty]

@Remford, thanks for sharing. 80k on mine now, all interstate, and no problems with mine. I've cringed the couple times rocks have hit my windshield. I stay away from flatbed or dump trucks! Let us know how things turn out.
@HJone, welcome and thanks for sharing your experience. I have a lot of Econoline history as well having put a few million miles on personal and work vans. So far, except for the known flex disk problems, mine has been rock solid at 80k. I am getting some torque converter shudder and will be dealing with that soon I'm sure.
Just FYI, personally you sound legit but beware many here will come back hard at you for 'complaining' about the Transit as a new forum member. I dunno why, pride? Money invested? Just beware. I'm still glad to hear or your experiences. I'd like to hear more about the specific common problems you've had with your fleet vans. You know, I'm sure, that most drivers beat the **** out them and they are unfortunately not as tough as E-series, but well taken care of I think they are great.

 

[MikeQBF]

... but beware many here will come back hard at you for 'complaining' about the Transit as a new forum member. I dunno why, pride? Money invested? Just beware. ...

No, in this case IT'S BECAUSE OF THE SHOUTING and angry declaration of absolutes. These are not earmarks of interest in a rational discussion about solutions.

Just sayin'.

 

[86scotty]

I dunno, Mike, he just seems exasperated to me. I hope he tells us more. I want to should too when I think of the silly problems we're having with these Transits but I try and remember that I have the first year of a new vehicle, which is a taboo I usually avoid at all costs. Yeah, yeah, I know the Transit has been in Europe for many years but it's not the same. No Ecoboost there, which is to say no power. What I wouldn't give for an underpowered manual shift Ford Transit from Europe, perhaps with an uber reliable diesel and decent fuel available to run it on.

 

[stockrex]

Yeap, most of the new vehicles are prone to this, I have put gardening plastic netting on top of the front grill to prevent this. few dollars, ugly as **** but peace of mind (words of great transit guru chris rock)

 

[MikeQBF]

Yeap, most of the new vehicles are prone to this...

I was thinking that. Modern designs (Econoline is NOT one!) put the chin lower for aero advantages, which means that the radiator, condenser, trans cooler and so on are close to the ground and therefore more susceptible to the gotchas bouncing up from the road surface.

The Honda Element community had the same issue, where the opening below the bumper was prone to deflect gravel into the condenser. The most popular solution was rain gutter screens zip-tied to a couple of grille supports. I went another direction and used egg-crate-style florescent light grilles, which I could get in black and then cut diagonally to match the stock upper grille (nifty, huh?). I will examine this solution when we pickup the new van.

Another easy solution with very little air restriction is 1/4" or 3/8" hardware cloth. We're just trying to keep the bigger rocks from making it through. Paint it black, zip-tie it behind the opening, call it done.

 

[HJone]

Nothing would make me happier than to have reliable Transits in our fleet. The Drivers love how they drive and our customers really enjoy the spacious ride. I realize the importance of preventative maintenance and have had a very aggressive program that meets or exceeds Ford's severe or towing application. This has been in place for 30+ years. In our business, un-scheduled breakdowns or repairs are a business reputation killer, extremely expensive and are simply unacceptable. I have 50-75 non-scheduled or breakdown Ford ROs to back up my "rant". Same drivers/same application/different vehicle/vastly different results. No problem with the remaining 2014 Econolines, Suburbans or Odesseys in our fleet. Where would you like to start with problems? Seat belts? Cold Starts? Air boxes? Fuel pumps? Rear ends? Heads? Manifolds? Turbos? Brake Hardware? Driveline problems? Engine management electronics? .............. just the tip of the iceberg. We are fine with shorter brake and tire life and other related wear/preventative maintenance issues. I am in contact with other carriers in our business that operate well over 75 Transits in Ford fleets that in the number in the hundreds. They all have had similar, but in some cases vastly more severe problems then we have had. Ford's indifference is unbelievable. The fact that Ford promotes these vehicles as commercial grade vehicles at this point is laughable.. I spent about $130,000 on Transits last year. I think this makes me more than legitimate.. I wish everyone a lot of luck with their Transits. I hope that their experience is better then in our commercial application in the mountains of Colorado.

HJone

 

[86scotty]

Had any torque converters go? That's a problem I'm dealing with now. I'm an expediter, btw, but drove Econolines and Sprinters for Fedex for 20 or so years before that. Company vans then which were fleet maintained and generally great, even the earlier Sprinters.

I think we're veering way off topic and hate to do that to the OP since is issue was simply the ac condenser but I'd love to hear more from you. Stick around!

 

[stockrex]

I was thinking that. Modern designs (Econoline is NOT one!) put the chin lower for aero advantages, which means that the radiator, condenser, trans cooler and so on are close to the ground and therefore more susceptible to the gotchas bouncing up from the road surface.

The Honda Element community had the same issue, where the opening below the bumper was prone to deflect gravel into the condenser. The most popular solution was rain gutter screens zip-tied to a couple of grille supports. I went another direction and used egg-crate-style florescent light grilles, which I could get in black and then cut diagonally to match the stock upper grille (nifty, huh?). I will examine this solution when we pickup the new van.

Another easy solution with very little air restriction is 1/4" or 3/8" hardware cloth. We're just trying to keep the bigger rocks from making it through. Paint it black, zip-tie it behind the opening, call it done.

Yes, my honda has a $3 gutter guard from lowes, I just peeked at other honda and nearly soiled my pants,
I need to make a front insect screen kinda using regular screen netting and some wood trim.
I did the same for my chevy and it has held up well.

Wooden trim ========
Screen net ########
Screen net ########
Wooden trim ========

I hot glued the net to the wood,
it took me total of 20 mins, then I tied this using wire to the grille.
I did it for insect while drivng on I80 to Denver and occasional rocks.

 

[HJone]

a/c compressor

Thanks for the suggestion. Had my mechanic go over to the local ACE Hardware. He thinks the 1/4 inch galvanized fencing is a good compromise between getting clogged and effectiveness. We are only doing the 2 openings below the grill in the bumper. Only the bottom portion of the a/c condensers seem to be getting hit. He still needs to figure out putting them on the inside of bumper. Will probably use all weather zip ties.


HJone

 

[stockrex]

nein nein, no galvanized anything pls, it WILL rust and it will eat through anything it rubs against, just use plastic something bro.

 

[HJone]

HJone

nein nein, no galvanized anything pls, it WILL rust and it will eat through anything it rubs against, just use plastic something bro.

Lowes gutter guard will works fine. Thanks.

 

[bajaherbie]

Bought this today... going to ziptie it in place on the outside of the opening/step.

Sent from my SM-G920R4 using Tapatalk

 

[bajaherbie]

V1.0 -metal gutter screen $3 from Ace, ziptied in place. 38K miles- several dents etc on the a/c condenser... Will monitor it for dents...

Sent from my SM-G920R4 using Tapatalk

 

[stockrex]

Looks good,
I need to do the same to mine today, going on a spring break trip next week,
I powered walked 4 miles to get the van out of storage yesterday.