[GROOVY2]

looked to see what it would cost to replace some parts on the 3.5 van -

2 turbos
For the Pair its was about $1000 -
Thought it was going to be more -

the infamous Air Cleaner box assembly- $75

Front brake rotor $70 -
(completely different Front wheels are used in single / dual Rear tire van )
surprised me

Lower control arm $60

Steel front wheel $267

Headlight assembly $460
(cost as much as 1 turbo )

Starter $113

Alternator $180 / HD $270

Rear shock $45

Rear spring $190

This is the site where info is from- very easy to find parts -
http://www.oemfordpart.com/auto-parts/2015/ford/transit-250/base-trim/3-5l-v6-gas-engine

 

[Chance]

It's the labor. If you do it all yourself then you may be OK.

I paid over $1,000 to replace a Ford AC compressor about 20 years ago. Today an estimate to fix a vacuum leak is over $1,000 and the part would be under $100 at most -- could be as little as a few dollars. And replacing 10 spark plugs costs about $400 if Ford does it -- takes about 4 hours.

I'm not sure the average guy can or should attempt to replace turbos or other major components. If they can it's great, but for the rest it's going to be costly. Vehicles are very complicated and getting more so.

 

[onetwo]

Turbos are pretty reliable these days as long as the vehicle is properly maintained. What are the odds both turbos would have to be replaced?

Sent from my Passport

 

[alarmist]

Depends on when the van was built. Anything before 2/28/15 or thereabouts is subject to a TSB and might need to be replaced. The TSB covers the ecoboost in the F150, Expedition, and Navigator as well.

 

[Zymurgy]

This is a big reason why I am replacing my Sprinter with a Transit. The maintenance is killing me. I got a quote for a factory alternator of $850 parts only. Fortunately now there are aftermarket available for $250 with a lifetime warranty, it only lasted for 2 years, but it is a relatively easy item to change out.

 

[GROOVY2]

just Looked to see what transit parts cost as compared to a Sprinter -

if its anything like buying a built transit -parts supply could be imaginary too -

what is TSB ?

 

[Longboard]

Depends on when the van was built. Anything before 2/28/15 or thereabouts is subject to a TSB and might need to be replaced. The TSB covers the ecoboost in the F150, Expedition, and Navigator as well.

Was this written about in this forum????

 

[alarmist]

Was this written about in this forum????

Maybe it got a mention. Dunno. It basically states if your turbos sound like a woodworking shop invaded by monkeys and macaws, you need new ones.

 

[alarmist]

just Looked to see what transit parts cost as compared to a Sprinter -

if its anything like buying a built transit -parts supply could be imaginary too -

what is TSB ?

Technical Service Bulletin. It's the stuff which is a common enough fail to warrant looking for during routine maintenance or to be aware of when investigating a customer complaint, but doesn't quite rise to the level of a recall. They are a huge diagnostic asset, largely ignored by service personnel. You need to know about them whether you do your own work or take the vehicle to someone else. There may be dozens of them on any given vehicle, and the "professionals" can't be bothered to read them all.

 

[Budsky]

Technical Service Bulletin. It's the stuff which is a common enough fail to warrant looking for during routine maintenance or to be aware of when investigating a customer complaint, but doesn't quite rise to the level of a recall. They are a huge diagnostic asset, largely ignored by service personnel. You need to know about them whether you do your own work or take the vehicle to someone else. There may be dozens of them on any given vehicle, and the "professionals" can't be bothered to read them all.

Back in early 96 I had an oil leak on my 96 F350....it had been into the dealer twice without resolution.
I eventually found a TSB about my exact issue, printed it out and took it into them.
The service advisor guy read it, then said they had never heard of it.

Then he proceeds to tell me how it pisses them off when a customer informs them of stuff like a TSB they don't know about!

Excuse me?

My response was that it was very disappointing for someone who works as a service advisor, whose JOB it is to know about Ford service matters, does NOT know about official Ford TSB's.

I have virtually never had a positive service experience at a dealer and avoid them whenever possible.

 

[bbird]

Maybe it got a mention. Dunno. It basically states if your turbos sound like a woodworking shop invaded by monkeys and macaws, you need new ones.

Turbo;s are way under rated, my 04 Sprinter made it past the 1/2 million mile mark, when I sold it and no problems. By the way a turbo for the Sprinter was $3,200.00 (not including labor)

 

[Chance]

Turbo;s are way under rated, my 04 Sprinter made it past the 1/2 million mile mark, when I sold it and no problems. By the way a turbo for the Sprinter was $3,200.00 (not including labor)

Any chance a $3,200 turbo may be of higher quality than one that goes for about $500?

 

[Longboard]

Any chance a $3,200 turbo may be of higher quality than one that goes for about $500?

There's always that chance, Chance, but so far I've seen no correlation between the high cost of MB parts & labor and their quality. Even my $1000 premium to upgrade to metallic silver from Arctic White in my Sprinter did nothing to slow down the inevitable rust. And the dealer's $420 oil change was no better then my independent tech's $180 service. My guess is that the $3200 turbo is just overpriced rather than overbuilt.

 

[orton]

Any chance a $3,200 turbo may be of higher quality than one that goes for about $500?

Sprinter quality & engineering perception is a product of excellent marketing. No relationship to the product.

 

[Chance]

Sprinter quality & engineering perception is a product of excellent marketing. No relationship to the product.

I know you don't care for Sprinters. That much you've made clear.

In my work experience I found German mechanical engineering to be generally excellent -- although equipment was expensive. My one and only German car was (mechanically) designed far better than any other I've owned. I switched to Japanese mostly because of electrical and cost advantages.

I'm not sure who makes the Sprinter or Transit turbos, but I'd guess it's not Mercedes or Ford. And if one were made in Germany and the other sourced from China, it would explain the higher cost. And perhaps also why the reported Sprinter has 500,000 miles without issues and the Ford EB required a TSB.

Personally, all I need to know is that Ford doesn't have a TSB on 3.7L turbos.

 

[orton]

I know you don't care for Sprinters. That much you've made clear.

In my work experience I found German mechanical engineering to be generally excellent -- although equipment was expensive. My one and only German car was (mechanically) designed far better than any other I've owned. I switched to Japanese mostly because of electrical and cost advantages.

I'm not sure who makes the Sprinter or Transit turbos, but I'd guess it's not Mercedes or Ford. And if one were made in Germany and the other sourced from China, it would explain the higher cost. And perhaps also why the reported Sprinter has 500,000 miles without issues and the Ford EB required a TSB.

Personally, all I need to know is that Ford doesn't have a TSB on 3.7L turbos.

Being a mechanical engineer I just may be extra critical. There are many engineering choices in a Sprinter that I did not care for.

I also drive a 2002 BMW 330ci that is excellent. Bought it new and will never sell it. Could not buy a new car as good as this BMW. A bit of a buckboard with the optional handling package but it brings a smile to my face every time I drive it. It has also been very reliable except for the window lifts.

So my comments are not about German engineering as much as they are toward the Sprinter in particular. The Transit is a far better driving vehicle than the Sprinter IMO. Hope Transit is going to be more reliable. Time will tell.

 

[Budsky]

Personally, all I need to know is that Ford doesn't have a TSB on 3.7L turbos.

I can assure you, without ANY doubt there will never be a TSB on a 3.7L turbo, nor will it ever fail>

 

[alarmist]

I can assure you, without ANY doubt there will never be a TSB on a 3.7L turbo, nor will it ever fail>

Smartarse

 

[alarmist]

...I have virtually never had a positive service experience at a dealer and avoid them whenever possible.

I'm trying to recall one... OK, once. They traced a failed accessory power outlet to a loose connector on a new truck. Gave me (grudgingly) a loaner truck while they had it.

 

[Chance]

I can assure you, without ANY doubt there will never be a TSB on a 3.7L turbo, nor will it ever fail>

My point exactly.

Can't fail if not there.