Coolant Leaking in Engine - Valid Warranty
Discussion
Hi All,
Looking for a bit of advice if possible. I am part owner of a partnership micro-business. In 2022, we bought a brand new Ford transit Dropside as we needed something reliable as our company is dependant on having a working vehicle. We keep to our regular services and maintain the vehicle as best as possible. Recently, the engine gave way and just lost power completely. No warning signs on the dashboard, it just had no momentum behind it. We called AA out who advised it was unlikely to be a huge issue as there were no warning lights but when they investigated they said there was a coolant leak into the engine and that the whole engine was ruined basically.
Considering we are still under warranty, we booked it straight away with our local Ford who advised they don't have any appointments for 6 weeks. We called round to many other Fords who told us the same thing. We booked in for the middle of July but in the meantime have had to hire a courtesy vehicle at £3,000 per month. My question is, and I know it's unlikely, but are we likely to be able to recoup any of that cost from Ford? The vehicle is only 2 years old and to have to wait such a long time to even be seen has caused us a huge loss. Also if they don't provide us a courtesy vehicle once it's in for repair, it could end up costing thousands more. Last time we had an oil leak after paying for a service and they took 4 months to repair it!
Also, is it likely that there may be a bigger issue if the coolant has leaked into the engine with no warning at all?
Looking for a bit of advice if possible. I am part owner of a partnership micro-business. In 2022, we bought a brand new Ford transit Dropside as we needed something reliable as our company is dependant on having a working vehicle. We keep to our regular services and maintain the vehicle as best as possible. Recently, the engine gave way and just lost power completely. No warning signs on the dashboard, it just had no momentum behind it. We called AA out who advised it was unlikely to be a huge issue as there were no warning lights but when they investigated they said there was a coolant leak into the engine and that the whole engine was ruined basically.
Considering we are still under warranty, we booked it straight away with our local Ford who advised they don't have any appointments for 6 weeks. We called round to many other Fords who told us the same thing. We booked in for the middle of July but in the meantime have had to hire a courtesy vehicle at £3,000 per month. My question is, and I know it's unlikely, but are we likely to be able to recoup any of that cost from Ford? The vehicle is only 2 years old and to have to wait such a long time to even be seen has caused us a huge loss. Also if they don't provide us a courtesy vehicle once it's in for repair, it could end up costing thousands more. Last time we had an oil leak after paying for a service and they took 4 months to repair it!
Also, is it likely that there may be a bigger issue if the coolant has leaked into the engine with no warning at all?
Not sure what the terms are for a commercial vehicle, but you would really expect a loan vehicle if it is in for repair/waiting for repair.
If the dealer doesn't have any, then they should be hiring one in.
Practically, if it is costing you 3k a month - is it worth buying a cheap vehicle and then selling it on after you get yours back.
If the dealer doesn't have any, then they should be hiring one in.
Practically, if it is costing you 3k a month - is it worth buying a cheap vehicle and then selling it on after you get yours back.
996TT02 said:
Take it anywhere else, get it fixed. These are vehicles that anyone can work on, even someone who has never even looked at a Ford before, if they can't they are incompetent.
But as soon as someone else looks at it (non dealer),your chances of getting parts and labour under warranty practically vanish. Keep hounding the dealership and don't give up. I would be expecting a long vehicle whilst the vehicle is in for repair / waiting to be repaired. Thanks for the responses! Yes I would take it in somewhere else but it's under warranty so it has to be looked at by Ford. Their wait times to see a technician are always ridiculously long. Don't think I will buy from them next time. And yes it may be worth just buying something to keep us going in the meantime. Im really hoping they give us a courtesy vehicle. They've said they can't do anything until the van is in their possession which I do understand.
We did contact them when it went down originally and asked if we could get it towed to them as the AA had advised us not to drive it and the power to the engine had gone anyway. They refused to take it without an appointment so we had to get it towed home and will need to pay to get it towed to Ford in a few weeks when our appointment is.
- Book appointment
- AA will then recover it to the dealership (even if it’s a month away)
- Ford UK will arrange a courtesy vehicle
- This will spur the dealership into dealing with it sooner (as it’s in the way) and also Ford UK will harass them as they don’t want to be paying for a courtesy vehicle
If you sit on the vehicle nobody is pushing the dealership to get things sorted, other than yourself, which is painful since dealerships don’t answer phones any more
- AA will then recover it to the dealership (even if it’s a month away)
- Ford UK will arrange a courtesy vehicle
- This will spur the dealership into dealing with it sooner (as it’s in the way) and also Ford UK will harass them as they don’t want to be paying for a courtesy vehicle
If you sit on the vehicle nobody is pushing the dealership to get things sorted, other than yourself, which is painful since dealerships don’t answer phones any more
Sorry, I know this is probably a stupid question, but is Ford UK who provide the warranty? I don't think we actually have Ford assist. I've just checked online and we do get our servicing completed at Ford every 8 months but the Ford we're using isn't showing as a dealer that offers the 12 months Ford assist with each service. Do I need to contact Ford UK separately? We have already booked in an appointment for 15/07 but they said it we turn up with the vehicle before that they will turn it away.
Edited by FordTransitEast on Sunday 7th July 09:37
Yes to be honest I have spoken to other business owners who have Ivecos which are easier to get hold of and quicker to repair if something goes wrong, but they've all said they don't run as efficiently as Ford. We've always been with Ford and the wait times have always been terrible. There should be some sort of rule that, when under warranty, they need to get in an appointment and repair within a certain amount of time considering you can't go elsewhere without potentially losing your warranty! Very frustrating.
FordTransitEast said:
Sorry, I know this is probably a stupid question, but is Ford UK who provide the warranty? I don't think we actually have Ford assist. I've just checked online and we do get our servicing completed at Ford every 8 months but the Ford we're using isn't showing as a dealer that offers the 12 months Ford assist with each service. Do I need to contact Ford UK separately? We have already booked in an appointment for 15/07 but they said it we turn up with the vehicle before that they will turn it away.
I suspect you are being a bit too soft/accepting on Ford here.Edited by FordTransitEast on Sunday 7th July 09:37
As far as I know, all Ford Commercials have a three year mechanical warranty. Waiting a month plus to get it looked at without a courtesy van is mental.
Maybe some other customers have jumped the queue. I know that some of the trades I know of, wouldn't be waiting a month. For right or wrong they would be blocking the entrance and sitting in the dealership until something happened. They might get removed, but they would be back.
You having to pay to have it transported is mental too... AA should have taken it to Ford where it could then wait.
I was speaking with a chap on Friday... he bought a dropside Transit tipper for £700. Tatty, but keeps him on the road and earning.
Previously, we had a Ford that had some issues with it. We took it to a dealership who took months to fix all the while we were renting a van. This was in 2016 so a bit more reasonable then. We waited months for them to repair it and they refused to do it under warranty. We ended up emailing the CEO who finally got it moving and we had the van back but it still wasn't working properly. We tried to call multiple Fords and it's like they'd blacklisted us (may have just been paranoid) because every Ford we contacted said they couldn't see us with no future date they would even book us in with. We ended up going to a mechanic who repaired it for us but it's made us a bit cautious about kicking up a stink! We have a very small business that isn't doing too great at the moment so renting this vehicle is really causing us financial strain. We have tried multiple Fords to try and get an earlier date in with no luck. Mind you we're still paying the HP monthly too! It's just been a nightmare.
Edited by FordTransitEast on Sunday 7th July 12:42
t Ford Transits are. Demand to see the manager.Haha that's an idea too! Once the vehicle is in there I will start being a bit more pushy but we've had bad experiences with them cancelling appointments, etc so we're just cautious. It's not right but we just want it seen asap and really really need them to provide a courtesy van!
Edited by FordTransitEast on Sunday 7th July 13:57
FordTransitEast said:
Thanks for the responses! Yes I would take it in somewhere else but it's under warranty so it has to be looked at by Ford. Their wait times to see a technician are always ridiculously long. Don't think I will buy from them next time. And yes it may be worth just buying something to keep us going in the meantime. Im really hoping they give us a courtesy vehicle. They've said they can't do anything until the van is in their possession which I do understand.
The wait time is long as it isn't a simple service or discs and pads. Hammer ford hammer social media and the dealership publicly as well will soon get action from the dealer. I work at a ford main dealer on commercials and anything other than routine service worl they drag their heels on massively. Only option is to constantly pester them.
As for reliability the 2.0 eco blue engines been a massive headache for ford huge amounts of issues with them and still on going too. Good luck VW with using them in the new transporter.
If the van has cut out I be looking towards timing belt failure over water in the engine.
As for reliability the 2.0 eco blue engines been a massive headache for ford huge amounts of issues with them and still on going too. Good luck VW with using them in the new transporter.
If the van has cut out I be looking towards timing belt failure over water in the engine.
Thank you for all the advice everyone! Yes we have the Eco Blue Dropside Transit. Had quite a few issues with it already to be honest. I mean it is a working van so we've had it since Feb '22 and done just under 28,000 miles so far but that's what they're made for! And we are ensuring we keep up with servicing and maintenance more than yearly. Our last service was only in February.
I've had the same experience with both VW and BMW in recent years. Under warranty, but the time till they could fix it was so long that I ended up getting it fixed elsewhere..... negating the point of a warranty at all. Luckily not as serious an issue as you have.
I've now decided not to buy vehicles with manufacturer warranty, and get one a little older but well looked after, and put the money aside for any problems that arise.
And from what I heard when looking at vans recently before deciding on a Sprinter for a van conversion, the Ford diesel engines with wet timing belts are to be avoided due to random failures.
I've now decided not to buy vehicles with manufacturer warranty, and get one a little older but well looked after, and put the money aside for any problems that arise.
And from what I heard when looking at vans recently before deciding on a Sprinter for a van conversion, the Ford diesel engines with wet timing belts are to be avoided due to random failures.
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