[bif]

Just returned from servicing air filter at Ford Dealer on 3.7L Transit Van, and was informed that the air filter was saturated with water. Seems that every time it rains or snows, water will be diverted directly to the air filter box. Ford is aware of the issue, and has not offered a solution.

I suggest that all owners call Ford at 1-800-392-FORD with their concerns

 

[PeterR]

Just returned from servicing air filter at Ford Dealer on 3.7L Transit Van, and was informed that the air filter was saturated with water. Seems that every time it rains or snows, water will be diverted directly to the air filter box. Ford is aware of the issue, and has not offered a solution.

I suggest that all owners call Ford at 1-800-392-FORD with their concerns

Thanks for the heads up, and welcome to the forum. Is there any chance that the flexible air tube/hose/duct was not clamped to the air filter housing correctly, and that water got in that way?

Could you post a photo of the area in question, which is described in the owner's manual here:

http://www.manualslib.com/manual/745073/Ford-Transit-2015.html?page=227#manual

Thanks

 

[bif]

Appears there are multiple points of entry. 1. the gap between windshield and hood near antenna, 2. joint in wiper tray near drainage hole not totally sealed, 3. gasket between hood and wiper tray not water tight.

There is a drainage/diverter tray beneath the left side (drivers) side drain hole, but none on the right (over the air filter), a major omission in my humble opinion, and not so difficult to remedy by Ford it would seem. At the risk of being redundant, Ford is aware of the issue, with no remedy thus far.

Again, calls to Ford ASAP would be indicated (squeaky wheel).

 

[bif]

Update- It's raining here in beautiful Michigan, and the windshield wiper cowl is leaking like a sieve on the passenger side, right over, and on the air filter housing. The joint next to the drain plug (which is draining anemically) is poorly sealed and the main culprit. Plenty of water ingress directly off the windshield as well.

The drivers side diverter tray is working like a charm. The Ford mechanic rigged up a temporary 'diverter' to shunt most of the water away from the filter, until Ford 'engineers remedy the issue.

 

[hammerdown]

Any diesel owners reporting the same issue??

 

[hammerdown]

Holy Moly... just checked mine. Yup, it's pouring in. Sweet Jebus, Ford, what where you thinking??

 

[bif]

The saga continues- Just contacted by Fords regional rep., who shall remain nameless, saying she was sorry about my trouble with the Transit CONNECT!??!!, assuring me the 'engineers' are hot on the trail with a remedy in the offing.

I cleared the small tube leading from the minuscule drain hole, prone to icing and debris in the best of scenerios, waiting for dry weather to seal the joint adjacent. Again, the diverting apparatus seems like the only feasible solution, with multiple avenues for water ingress to engine department.

Sorry to be a negative Nellie (an indication of my age), being generally satisfied by the Transit, but this glaring oversight is troubling.

 

[PeterR]

Any chance of a photo showing the major entry points, maybe by using some yellow safety tape etc. to represent the path water can take? A shot from above the hood and wiper cowl/shroud to set the scene would be great. My Wagon is due soon, and I want to be able to inspect it thoroughly before I accept delivery.

Thanks

 

[SuprMover]

yep, my filter is wet too. But there's a little piece of the filter that doesn't actually flow air and that is water logged. I need to take a picture of this. My old Focus had a water ingress issue that the dealer eventually took care of. This is NUTS! so much for their weather-testing

 

[bif]

PeterR- not versed in the intricacies of photo sharing, but you'll plainly see the petite drain hole, the tube leading from it under the hood, and the unsealed joint adjacent. Also the gap between the windshield and cowl, and the lack of DIVERTER enjoyed by the drivers side.

On a not so humorous side note, my wife when notified of the problem, suggested we move to Arizona to remedy the problem. Also, a 30 gallon garbage bag over the air filter housing when it rains is prescribed. Sad but true.

 

[PeterR]

Thanks bif, when my Wagon gets here I will check it out with the dealer. And thanks for taking the lead on this major design defect.

Anyone else up for taking some photos?

Another water intrusion problem area someone mentioned is the fasteners holding the lower side panels onto the Transit's sides. Any water intrusion noticed from these (perhaps on the interior where the side walls meet the floor)? Anyone with a passenger Wagon notice the carpeting being wet in this area?

Apparently Sprinters also had this problem, and you would think that Ford would have ensured that the new Transits did not repeat the Sprinter's mistake.

Edit -- 6:23 PM EDT -- here are some posts about leaks at the marker lights above the headliner, sidewall decorative panel fasteners, and other areas:

http://www.fordtransitusaforum.com/83393-post20.html

http://www.fordtransitusaforum.com/83009-post6.html

http://www.fordtransitusaforum.com/83265-post14.html

Edit -- 6:37 PM EDT -- window or weatherstripping leaks:

http://www.fordtransitusaforum.com/98465-post7.html

http://www.fordtransitusaforum.com/...ssion/7953-water-leak-top-left-rear-door.html

 

[perchancetodream]

The saga continues- Just contacted by Fords regional rep., who shall remain nameless, saying she was sorry about my trouble with the Transit CONNECT!??!!, assuring me the 'engineers' are hot on the trail with a remedy in the offing.

Ford really needs to change the name of the smaller vehicle. Ford Buckboard or something.

 

[star gazer]

I keep mine in a garage so it stays dry, but I can see where some water has dripped onto the air filter housing.

What I don't understand is why in the world they designed it with the lid fitting inside the bottom instead of overlap the bottom to prevent this. Water has no where to go except in the filter box this way. Engineering 101 ??

 

[hammerdown]

Ford really needs to change the name of the smaller vehicle. Ford Buckboard or something.

Agreed. I was at Weathertech Canada this morning inquiring about floor liners (great product) and no drill mudflaps. Very clearly told kid at the counter it is a Transit VAN, not a Connect. While looking out the window directly at my Transit, he says "Ya we got them for your Transit Connect". *Face slap*.

Tell people you replaced your long tall Sprinter with a Transit, and watch the furrowing of brows and smell the burnt toast of dummies trying to comprehend the concept of TWO different Transits.

 

[PeterR]

I keep mine in a garage so it stays dry, but I can see where some water has dripped onto the air filter housing.

What I don't understand is why in the world they designed it with the lid fitting inside the bottom instead of overlap the bottom to prevent this. Water has no where to go except in the filter box this way. Engineering 101 ??

Thanks for the specific problem ID!

Edit -- 8:55 PM EDT -- Actually the illustration from the owner's manual link I posted earlier shows what star gazer has said, although the illustration was not clear enough on its own to merit this conclusion IMO.

At the top right of p. 224, under point 3., is illustration E174669:

http://www.manualslib.com/manual/745073/Ford-Transit-2015.html?page=227#manual

[The illustration for the 3.5EB engine on the previous page is the same.]

 

[Chance]

Ford really needs to change the name of the smaller vehicle. Ford Buckboard or something.

Agree 100%

In Europe Ford has at least 4 Transit vehicles I'm aware of. The van and Connect we have here, plus one in the middle (very nice size in my opinion) and another that is even smaller than our Connect.

Based on that I would not hold my breath for a name change; although I think it's as dumb as RAM having the ProMaster and ProMaster City. As I've stated before, giving the same name to vehicles that are based on completely different platforms and have nothing in common just causes confusion. Their marketing is either very wise or lacks imagination.

Perhaps if they spent more on engineering to prevent leaks then maybe they wouldn't have to spend as much on marketing to sell vehicles. It's a tough balance I know, but I lean more towards vehicles speaking for themselves.

 

[Whitedog]

Any diesel owners reporting the same issue??

I checked ours today and it was dry. But, we haven't had much rain here in the past three months so who knows.

 

[bif]

Quick check in dry weather would be quart full of water in cowl with hood open. Readily apparent if leakage occurs. A simple but sobering test. Let us know how it goes....

 

[onetwo]

I don't own a Transit yet, so pardon my ignorance.

Are the air filter housings in the exact same location on the 3.5EB, 3.7, and diesel?

 

[Rico]

A dealer actually posted something about this:

http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1371184-hesitation-after-sitting.html

Said Ford is working on a fix. :s