LDV ?

Noel Kinsella

Has anyone any experience with LDV vans ? I am looking to but a van at a good price and they seem ok ? I know they have transit engine back axle and box.
The problem is most vans that I look into have common faults
Traffic, Primastar, vivaro, master, etc Huge gearbox problems ! Injectors ?
Transit DMF and fuel pump failures are common
Transporter fuel pump , ABS problems
Fiat injector, gearbox and fuel pump problems

I know most vehicles have problems but I would rather avoid any real troublesome vehicles if possible.

101sean

If you do a search there was a thread about them a few months ago, no one had much good to say about them.

aaakev

What kind of budget have you? Have you considered a merc vito? Earlier models did have there problems but post 05 they have been pretty bullet proof. More comfortable than any of the others you mentioned and cheap to service, full service in a merc dealer for €200 +vat

Noel Kinsella

101sean wrote: »

If you do a search there was a thread about them a few months ago, no one had much good to say about them.

I had a look and the general consensus seems to be bad so I will avoid. Will check out the Vitos as another poster said budget is about 3-5k was thinking of going to wilsons or merlin to get a trade price ?

enumbers

I'm sorry but the vitos are about as reliable as the trafffics etc with a lot more expensive parts. what year ldv are you looking at, the newer ones didn,t have a transit engine its an italian diesel engine

aaakev

enumbers wrote: »

I'm sorry but the vitos are about as reliable as the trafffics etc with a lot more expensive parts. what year ldv are you looking at, the newer ones didn,t have a transit engine its an italian diesel engine

Newer model vitos are very good vans and more reliable than most if not all of the others the OP mentioned

enumbers

Are you going of ownership or working on these? They are a nightmare we look after alot of these have had leaking injector seals, broken springs, cracked hinges, dead interior fans, disaggregating handbrake mechanisms various boost leaks and electrical faults so I really don't find them any more reliable than anything else

Pottler

enumbers wrote: »

Are you going of ownership or working on these? They are a nightmare we look after alot of these have had leaking injector seals, broken springs, cracked hinges, dead interior fans, disaggregating handbrake mechanisms various boost leaks and electrical faults so I really don't find them any more reliable than anything else

Which now? The Vito's or the LDVs? I'd rate both these as being up there and well on a par with anything that Chad can manufacture.

Noel Kinsella

enumbers wrote: »

I'm sorry but the vitos are about as reliable as the trafffics etc with a lot more expensive parts. what year ldv are you looking at, the newer ones didn,t have a transit engine its an italian diesel engine

Was thinking of the Maxus in 07-08 is it a FIAT engine ? The 6 speed traffic gearbox is basically guaranteed to go I think ?? Its very hard to know what to do. I had a look at the recent sales in "merlin" and it looks like about half the transits that went through had engine problems !!!!! My real question re the LDV is, is it a brand thing say like "vauxhall" that they dont sell well over here or is it that they are a bad vehicle ? I dont mind forking out for say a solid flywheel etc but turbo, gearbox or engine problems are what I want to avoid.
Thanks to all who commented advise is very appreciated.

aaakev

enumbers wrote: »

Are you going of ownership or working on these? They are a nightmare we look after alot of these have had leaking injector seals, broken springs, cracked hinges, dead interior fans, disaggregating handbrake mechanisms various boost leaks and electrical faults so I really don't find them any more reliable than anything else

im going on ownership, working on them and selling them, i would guess i have more experience with them than anyone else here.

The 639 model engines in the last vitos were and still are very reliable. The problems you mentioned above which you have had could happen to any vehicle but that does not mean the problems are common problems associated with that particular model, in my opinion the problems you listed above are not commonplace. Yes they have trouble with window regs, rear wipers and reverse lights but these are all easy and relitivly inexpensive repairs. Iv had a few of that model vito with very high mileage that have been trouble free because of proper maintenance. I have sold high mileage ones and had no problem giving warranty with them, off the top of my head i think i had one last year which came back with a problem with the reverse lights..

The current model 651 is so far prooving to be a very reliable with no major issues. It has a couple of recalls, mainly software upgrades and a pipe that can leak, very quick and easy upgrades butt no issues that stand out being a problem accross the range.

The vito of 2004/5 era was dirt and everyone knew it, it did alot of damage to the name and it is still recovering from this damage. People who say vitos are not reliable are listening to hearsay or taking a bad van as an example

Pottler

aaakev wrote: »

im going on ownership, working on them and selling them, i would guess i have more experience with them than anyone else here.

The 639 model engines in the last vitos were and still are very reliable. The problems you mentioned above which you have had could happen to any vehicle but that does not mean the problems are common problems associated with that particular model, in my opinion the problems you listed above are not commonplace. Yes they have trouble with window regs, rear wipers and reverse lights but these are all easy and relitivly inexpensive repairs. Iv had a few of that model vito with very high mileage that have been trouble free because of proper maintenance. I have sold high mileage ones and had no problem giving warranty with them, off the top of my head i think i had one last year which came back with a problem with the reverse lights..

The current model 651 is so far prooving to be a very reliable with no major issues. It has a couple of recalls, mainly software upgrades and a pipe that can leak, very quick and easy upgrades butt no issues that stand out being a problem accross the range.

The vito of 2004/5 era was dirt and everyone knew it, it did alot of damage to the name and it is still recovering from this damage. People who say vitos are not reliable are listening to hearsay or taking a bad van as an example

Who knew eh? I've never heard anyone, owner or mechanic, say a good word about a Vito before. Failed and seized injectors, brakes and steering pulling to the left, untrackable tracking, clutch and gear cable issues, heater plugs seized in place, rust like a transit dipped in salt, nutty electrics, poor dealers, ecu failures, plastics and steering wheels that wear too quickly, esp issues, pad and tyre wear far too rapid, reversing lights failing, wipers failing, seats wearing prematurely..oh, I'd go on, but I'm boring even me. Anyway, it's good to hear someone sticking up for them.

Noel Kinsella

Ok so the vito might be a mixed bag. Of the 20 or so transits sold in merlin (Auctions) in december about half of them had engine problems ! Does anyone know what the common engine fault is on the transits ? Are they as savage on diesel as some people say ? Also if I went for the Traffic, vivaro, or primastar in the 6 speed 05+ can the problem with 6th gear be fixed for as little as €400 as some people say ? Leaving out the vito (just for the moment) what van of this size represents decent value and reliability ?

Pottler

Noel Kinsella wrote: »

Ok so the vito might be a mixed bag. Of the 20 or so transits sold in merlin (Auctions) in december about half of them had engine problems ! Does anyone know what the common engine fault is on the transits ? Are they as savage on diesel as some people say ? Also if I went for the Traffic, vivaro, or primastar in the 6 speed 05+ can the problem with 6th gear be fixed for as little as €400 as some people say ? Leaving out the vito (just for the moment) what van of this size represents decent value and reliability ?

Yeah, they're crap, basically. I've a good few btw. I'd have the Traffic sooner because when it is running, you'll be comfier and burn less fuel. I've a Boxer laid up in the workshop at the mo, being rebuilt - I loved it when it was running and cursed it when it broke.

Turns out the timing belt(which had just been changed by garage) was put on 3 teeth out and a valve tipped a piston at high revs, breaking a cam follower and stopping the show. Not the vans fault. I personally would rather an "unreliable" Boxer/Relay/Ducato any day over anything else just for their driving dynamics and practicality. When that one is fixed(almost finished full rebuild)-I'll be back in it.

The Transits feel like an elastic band by comparison. There are no totally reliable vans(the Hiace is good, but god they're awful to drive, I have one and never get in it, someone else gets that pleasure) - you pays your money and takes your chances. Pick one you like driving and live with the repairs is what I'm trying (longwindedly) to say.

tabby aspreme

Anyone have any opinions on the which ducato engine is better , the 2.2 ford derived or 2.3 iveco . I'm also a fan of these vans for drivability. Thanks

Pottler

tabby aspreme wrote: »

Anyone have any opinions on the which ducato engine is better , the 2.2 ford derived or 2.3 iveco . I'm also a fan of these vans for drivability. Thanks

I prefer the 2.0 HDI PSA engine, but of the two above, I'd have the 2.3 Iveco, but lads will say they give trouble. I have one(in an Iveco) and it's never given any trouble and is very light on diesel(much lighter than a transit and much more responsive as well). But I'd rather a Citroen version(Relay) with a 2.0 HDI. Citroen just seem to make a better fist of a commercial. I've one with 1/2 a million miles up, going strong. Love that engine. Pulls like a train as well.

Noel Kinsella

A fairly reliable source has told me that the issue with the 6 speed box on citroen, fiat, renault, nissan etc Traffic, boxer, ducatto etc only really comes up on abused vehicles. If you get a used van that has been used for light medium use it should be grand, if you get a van that has been pulling heavy trailers esp in 6th it will act up ? I have always been told it was a €1800 fix but this recons its just the bearing that goes on 6th gear and should be no more than a €450 fix any opinions ?
Also he states that the older 5 speed box is mated to an older style engine which is best avoided one is a 1.9 and the other is a 2.0 ?
Thanks for the advise from all posters here it has been very helpful.

mfceiling

Noel Kinsella wrote: »

A fairly reliable source has told me that the issue with the 6 speed box on citroen, fiat, renault, nissan etc Traffic, boxer, ducatto etc only really comes up on abused vehicles. If you get a used van that has been used for light medium use it should be grand, if you get a van that has been pulling heavy trailers esp in 6th it will act up ? I have always been told it was a €1800 fix but this recons its just the bearing that goes on 6th gear and should be no more than a €450 fix any opinions ?
Also he states that the older 5 speed box is mated to an older style engine which is best avoided one is a 1.9 and the other is a 2.0 ?
Thanks for the advise from all posters here it has been very helpful.

I heard from a mechanic that the gearbox used on the renault, opel etc was from a laguna and wasn't suited to vans pulling extra weight etc.

Don't know if this is gospel or hearsay.

Pottler

mfceiling wrote: »

I heard from a mechanic that the gearbox used on the renault, opel etc was from a laguna and wasn't suited to vans pulling extra weight etc.

Don't know if this is gospel or hearsay.

Tis true enuf, (up to 05), -the 5 speed wasn't and is better. The 05+ 2.0 is the pick of the bunch it seems. And for some reason, mechanics rate the Vivaro ahead of the traf/prima. Don't know why, as in, I personally don't know.

Noel Kinsella

Pottler wrote: »

Tis true enuf, (up to 05), -the 5 speed wasn't and is better. The 05+ 2.0 is the pick of the bunch it seems. And for some reason, mechanics rate the Vivaro ahead of the traf/prima. Don't know why, as in, I personally don't know.

I dont get this bit "the 5 speed wasn't and is better" is the 5 speed box a better box ? Is the older model ok to go for or should it be 05+ that I am looking for ?
Thanks

Pottler

Noel Kinsella wrote: »

I dont get this bit "the 5 speed wasn't and is better" is the 5 speed box a better box ? Is the older model ok to go for or should it be 05+ that I am looking for ?
Thanks

The 05- box is ok, all versions. (The 2.0 is a tougher engine as well). The older(pre 05) 5 speed box didnt have as much stuff crammed into it as the 6 speed and was stronger, probably because the 6 speed was car gearbox in a van and couldn't take the hacking, plus it held very little oil so more issues. Many gearbox specialists won't rebuild your pre -05 6 speed for you, don't want the grief, some will. Bit like the box in the master, synchro rings and bearings go and not too many like doing them as they rarely last once trouble has struck.
Anyway, the issue with the Traffic/viv etc for me is the ECU more so than the box, spill a cup of coffee on the dash and the ecu takes a bath, corrodes(terminals) and is a bitch to remove due to the security fasteners used. The wiring going into the ecu also chafes on the sucurity cage and again, is a bitch to repair. But, like everything, you might never encounter any troubles at all - a neighbour(mechanic though) has a traffic with 300k up and it goes non-stop as a call-out vehicle, so...

Noel Kinsella

Anybody know when the 5 speed box was on the Traffics Model/ Year etc All I can find is 6 speeds....................................
Here is a 03 6speed !
http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/commercials/4444715