The reality of owning a Ford Transit Camper Van 

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Hi mate, our Company has a fleet of these vans many had same issue. So money thrown at them only to break down again with same issues. New injectors, pump etc etc.only to break down again. In the end a couple of us decided to investigate the old school way. We stripped the fuse box after closely inspected the pump fuse and noticed signs of carbon arcing and burning. The small connectors in the fuse box had same issues? So we replaced them then fitted new fuse the van burst into life and has not broken down in the last 12 months. Just something for you to check out buddy, you never know it may be a cheap fix 😉

Charlie is adorable. Can you imagine if everyone was that happy ? What a world 🌍 this would be. ❤❤❤❤😅

As a parent of two, I took three things from your video: Charlie is awesome, he clearly loves you to bits and you're a great dad! Hope you get the fueling sorted.

i had the same problem buddy, spent loads but not fixed then found it was fuel pump fuse, good luck

Charlie was the star of the show. He's mega cute. Hope you get the van fixed soon & it's not too expensive

Lovely to see Charlie. What a happy little boy. Kate of course always looks lovely😊.I actually saw how many people follow you now that's fantastic

Keep smiling dude keep smiling because this could be the end of the problems but thank you for been so honest and not putting this stuff out there for other van lifers about the transit vans

This is the flip side to van life. Good that you shown us the ups and downs and you was still happy and positive. Think your misses and son deserve a treat off dad after all the malarkey.👍👍

Hi mate I'm live in Cornwall as well . I have a 15 year old lwb high top camper stealth can and it has never let me down. I'm in hayle and travel around the country and love it. I like watching your channel. Keep up the good work.

OMG. he is just toooo precious. So happy. Beautiful boy.

Never thought we'd enjoy a video of a halfords car park so much! And loving that fold out TV. Very tempted to get one.

I've also fitted a diesel heater under the front passenger seat , and we carry 3 toilet cassettes so we can go for 12 days before we need to find a place to empty the cassettes. Amazingly a 250 watt solar panel keeps all the leisure batteries charged and the starter battery when parked. The 500 watt inverter will charge the electric bikes , run a travel iron and also run the wife's hair dryer. Campervanning does not need to be expensive or complicated. Marrakech here we come!!

From what you've said so far, I'd start with the fuel lines and electrical system. I'd get a multimeter and test probe ready. Any fuel related issues, I'd straight off change the fuel and air filters. It's quick and cheap, and can cause issues to your alternator, if fuel and air are not getting into your engine sufficiently, overcompensated by the ECU. Including stressing the alternator. If you get random faults that seem to cause other faults - especially involving the battery light - check all your electrical connections. Jack up the van, get a torch, inspect every wire and connector for corrosion and damage, that you can see, especially grounding points to the engine and chassis. The manual will show these in the bay and underside. I'd chech every fuse and the main battery fuse. Sometimes a seemingly unrelated fuse can cross connectors with others, causing unrelated issues elsewhere. The manual wiring diagram will give you clues. Also inspect any vacuum related hoses in and out of the engine - any loss of pressure or air introduced can send seemingly random issues into your alternator and fuel pump performance. Electrical and vacuum issues are nearly always the cause of randomness, and can save a ton of money first off, rather than throwing parts at the van. After that, its getting more expensive, I'd check the Fuel pump and DPF filter. If you can locate the fuel pump, get the wife to turn the iginition to on (but don't start), and you should hear the fuel pump kick in and prime the fuel line. If you hear nothing, the fuel pump may have gone. You can whip it out and connect it to a 12V battery to see if it's really working, before ordering a new one. If it does come on, you've got an electrical wire break to it. You can clean a DPF filter yourself, but thats probably a garage issue. That can cause pressure or fuel issues, and knock on to the alternator and charging system. It's really not as bad as it sounds, you can do it yourself, just be patient and methodical.

Vehicles can be a royal pain in the rear end sometimes. You deserve a bit of fortune, the effort you put into everything.

Bought a converted 2002 Sprinter lwb high top during Covid. It had a 173,000 miles on it and we paid 6500 pounds for it. I've refitted the washroom with a new shower tray and taps , 4 years later we are now on 193,000 miles. In the last 4 years we have spent at least 300 nights living in it . I've had 2 new leisure batts , 4 new Michelin tyres, And decided to have a new clutch and dual mass flywheel as there was no way of knowing how old these components were. We've had 5 continental trips of at least 2500 miles and have just returned from 6 weeks in Spain. The camping bits are a bit fragile ,BUT the Mercedes bits are absolutely fabulous. It runs like a swiss watch . If you are going to build or make a camper start with a quality base.

“I think I’ve broken it… nah it ok it’s fine, but I’ve definitely broken the cup holder” hahaha

Charlie is the new star....sorry mate. Am impressed you made the best out of a bad situation and got some good content out of it.

So lovely to see Charlie x he is turning into a proper little man now and talking too x so gorgeous. Trouble ahead - he will be climbing everything soon. My youngest climbed up a tree like a monkey but then couldn't get down and needed to be rescued. Sorry you are having more troubles with the van - EXPENSIVE

Awww 🥰, loved this video so much! Charlie is absolutely precious, such a happy little guy! Kate is lovely and it’s always so nice to see her! Hope everything works out with the van! 🚐 🥰 It’s so sweet the way you interact with Charlie, you’re a wonderful dad! ❤

Sorry you're having problems, hope its an easy fix. Lovely to see Charlie, wow how he's grown ...

Your boy is gorgeous , my daughter is 18 months now and i see so many similarities in the way you love him . Lovely . Oh yes nearly forgot hope you get the van sorted

My little pal was positively adorable in this video! Little legend!

I could easily just tune in to see Charlie laugh,dance and giggle! :)

Don't ever stop what you're doing. 👍🏻

hope you get the van sorted soon. Charlie is such a little cutie!!

I love seeing a happy baby ❤

Great video bud Family time, Charlie, Van, different kind of video, informative, showing the bad parts of VanLife, what’s not to like 🤙🏻🍊

Good job with the video and lovely to see Charlie, well done for the way you have introduced to van life, teaching him to get off the bed, fab!

You can’t beat a bit of Bingo and Bluey!! If you’re feeling shit, they’ll always cheer u up!

something else that has been helpful in my transit has been to have a voltmeter on the two batteries under the drivers seat. Been good to keep an eye on them. The auxillery one can drain due to parasitic stuff which can then ruin your alternator

Having a mare with mine currently too, joys of owning a Transit indeed!

Charlie's such a happy boy 😊 I hope your van gets fixed without being too $$.

It’s a good that you teach him to climb down off the bed. Teach him stairs as well, if he ever gets through a stair gate there is a good chance he won’t role down the stairs.

Happy days Charlie proper makes be smile he's such a happy baby haha fingers crossed with the van, we feel your pain ❤

Have to say that I loved seeing Charlie and hear him talk a bit. Not loving to see what is going on with the van. Hope things get sorted out quickly and for not too much money. Good luck!

2 things ..charlie is a happy little fella even in a broken transit , and wow i come to Cornwall with a touring caravan regularly but didnt realise how poor the garages are ..definitely worth starting a business there doing mobile quick turnaround repairs

How gorgeous is Charlie 🤩... I think he would probably see a guard for the bed as a climbing frame 😜. Hope you get the van sorted 🙏🍀✊

I just have to say you picked the proper name for that wee lad. He surely looks like Charley.

Hi , I'm a mechanic, had this problem quite a few times on Transits. Could be fuel rail pressure sensor but we find turbo pressure sensor gives this fault as well. Just a thought. Hope its not too big a fix !

So many things about this video! Sorry you’re having trouble with the van. But that aside, so many good bits in this one. We love a Charlie & wife cameo! 💙 He’s getting sooo big! 🙏🏻 I busted out laughing when you showed what they might be putting in the bin! 😆🤦🏼‍♀️🤣(I have the humor of a 15 yr old boy!🤷🏼‍♀️😊🤦🏼‍♀️😆) Love the addition of the new TV. That’s a perfect fit for the space and tucks away nicely! Well done on the video. Prayers the van is an easy & cheap fix! 🙏🏻

I don't know the reality of life is fun to watch and you handle things pretty good. Fun to watch you and Charlie for sure.And hey we've all had to deal with it. Blessings❤

I've got a ford to and I've used the phrase money pit to many times now. Not buying a ford ever again. Cheered me up seeing Charlie though ❤

Under the drip tray in the engine bay, on the left hand side check and see if the drain tray to funnel the water away from the ECU is still in place. If not the water will run down onto the ECU and cause no end of lights and electrical issues with them vans. Also check the seal on the end of the windscreen that it isnt leaving water run past down onto the engine.

Cheers for the quality content dude. If it were not for your video id be very bored in hospital rn.

I was in there (Halfords) yesterday for car MOT. As for the van I feel your pain buddy. These Transits are great when all is well but I find them a bit delicate. Mine had a fuelling/starting issue. It took a couple of garages (3) to sort it out. Turned out it was an injector (Thanks Transit Centre Truro). I had the fuel filters changed at the same time. Maybe yours is the same problem? Charlie is a little star. All the best buddy.

Any video with Charlie in it is a good one !

Really gutted for you with your van, I’ve had older vans for 15 years, recently bought a brand new Vito, 12 months ago, I’m sure it works out cheaper!! No maintenance better on fuel and no disappointment yet 🤞🏻

On a plus side mate hope you're enjoying the weather now

Reminds of when my boy was that age, great fun

Charlie is living his best life! Such a little cutie!

That’s why ford stands for fix or repair daily 😂😂

There is a fuel temp sensor on the high pressure pump which is common for reading incorrectly causing starting issues

I have a Ford Explorer. Just waiting for the first problem! Hope the fuel issue isn’t terrible.

What a cutie!

Junior love Sundays it growing up so fast lol. Hope you get the van sorted soon Shaun. Cheeeers. Maxx

Hope you get it sorted soon Shaun that van has been a nightmare for you!! Dave (York)

I can be a bit of stress head when cars/ vans play up. I do see why people get older vans especially with the amount dpf and egr issues. I'm really sorry, I hope you get this sorted asap. I'd be tempted to get it fixed and sell it tbh and start over with a different van. I'm an ex taxi driver, I'll only buy certain car/van makes. All the best pal.

My alternator drive belt snapped but I had a spare one but just needed a 13mm spanner to push the tensioner out the way. The AA didn’t manage to send out a mechanic within 12 hours so after a night awake in my freezing cold vehicle I drove to a Halfords and bought a spanner for £5 and fitted it myself. I’ve left the AA for green flag.

Thanks, for the information on the vacuum mate. Hope this cover a beer.

Hi sean.sorry you are having trouble with the van.hope it's a simple fix.also good to see little Charlie having a great time with his Dad. Just as a little advise.I had a burst blood vessel in my eye.stress related.got told to get a blood test.turned out I had hi blood pressure.hope you don't mind me saying but go and get you blood pressure checked by a doctor.just to be on the safe side. ATB luke

Love that.. always wondered if you could stealth camp at a place like that out of hours... i know that they knew you were there...but i just mean if they didnt...

Fallout in the van you really are LIVING mate 🤌😆☢️

I recall a comment I made about your decision to swap vans and I said sometimes it's better to stay with what you've got. I spent over £7k last year on mine to keep it going , this year the clutch , flywheel and gearbox have gone so I've traded it in for a Renault master 😢 ...money I didn't want to spend but I've done it 👍

Watch the geoff buys cars channel he has just done a video about the transit wet belt failures, after seeing that i wouldnt touch one with a bargepole! Good luck 👍

They're called Transhits for a reason 😅. Get a Vivaro...my brother give up on transits and swears by the Vauxhall Vivaro for work and play... he's just got a long wheel base variant to convert into a campervan too. 👍

Hope you get back on the road soon.

LESSON 1: NEVER, under ANY circumstances take a vehicle to halfords.If they're the only ones who say they can help then keep looking, keep waiting, take the vehicle somewhere else but DO NOT use halfords. What they really mean by "a fuelling issue" is "we had to disconnect a fuel pipe in order to fit the new alternator. We don't actually know what we're doing and we've either got some dirt into the pipe and killed your injector pump or we've just not been able to bleed it properly or we may even have holed it on the low pressure side but can't see where or how. Sorry we're a bunch of incompetent halfwits but whilst you're here, speak to Kevin- he's our manager in between studying for his GCSEs." Seriously pal, don't blame Ford for this. If the fuelling system was working before you let the inexperienced and unqualified wasters at halfords loose on it then that tells you all you need to know. Given the age of the van I doubt it was even your alternator to start with and probably one of the wires to it (field control for example); you can easily have a situation in which your alternator is working fine but the ECU doesn't detect it and that'll throw the same warning. Long gone are the days of a simple wire from the alternator to your dashboard.

The contacts on the high pressure fuel pump fuse, need cleaning and tightning buddy. Ive had this issue before. Also I would change your batteries for new ones of the alternator has gone. You will either have one or two. Make sure there the right type of batteries. Then it will be sorted for years. I recon you have a bad battery or two. Or a un matching set. (Different brands) It's taking the alternator out. And could do again. £350 for a genuine one from ford too.

We sent our 19 plate transit in for the rear parking sensor to be fixed.. the garage then told our office that it needs a new turbo.. 3.5k later, we got it back.. 100 miles later, it broke down.. sent it back in.. got it back.. another 100 miles it broke down again.. its been ok since but still.. these new transits are absolute garbage. Hope you get it fixed and it doesn't cost too much 👍

Rough with the smooth but a little fall out isn’t so bad 👍🏻

My Ford work van has had more issues in 2years than my 21year old Trafic has had in its entire life. Looks like the lads in the comments may have you covered. Good luck.

Great video Time to get a new van

I'm living in an old vauxhall movano and the engine sounds awful... mechanics don't think its worth delving into so ive decided to live in it on my friends land while i save up for a new van. At least my cat is happy to be in one place 😅 Good luck with yours

Should’ve walked down the road to Morrisons got some food whilst she was waiting for AA. All the best. I’ve got relations in Penzance. I visited regular.

Charlie is gorgeous love his laugh.

All vans have their problems ....... and yes vw and merc included !!!

No real rust on it , I spray supertrol into box sections and deal with any blemishes that appear on paint. Key thing about a camper. For serious travelling it has to not just be reliable , but engender a feeling of trust. I trust mine to get to Marrakech , or North of the Arctic circle , or drive to Istanbul, Would you stray more than 20 miles from Halfords ?

I was recommended by a mechanic to buy a Transit...keep on top of the rust if possible....but the engines are good...well Mark 7....2009.....only replaced the starter motor which came with the van...seems to be ok at the moment....at just over 100k on the clock....my vivaro died Big time....every van has its issue's.....my berlingo had a engine replacement....yep take comfort in the fact that all vans are gonna eat your Doe....££££££....Cheers ...and Myttan Dha from Gwithian farm Campsite near Hayle (highly recommended recommended)

Great to see Kate again - does she only appear when you need rescuing? ;-) Charlie keeps growing up - he's looking really happy - good to see you spending time together Hope you are not too drained by the van - all vehicles cost, and when you have put so much effort and money into the conversion you can't just swap it for a more reliable van (which would likely be just a different set of problems) I did go to Halfords in Penzance to get a rear wiper blade for an 06 reg Honda CRV (in 2017) ... I can't recall the garage part of it - probably round the back as I don't think it has moved The heliport used to be where Sainsbury's is - a lot of the locals in the village my mum lives in wouldn't shop there when it first opened as they blamed it for the heliport closure ... but they built a smaller heliport so the stigma of shopping there has gone!

I work for Halfords autocenter in Essex

If it makes you feel better i just spent 8k on a new gearbox, clutch and fly wheel and steering rack on my T5 😅. But at least i know its all new now haha

Fact: All Rvs, boats, cars, vans and houses all need endless maintenance and/or levels of preventive maintenance.

Just because your van's broken doesn't mean you have to break Charlies pram.

Hope van gets sorted for you quickly and isn’t too expensive 🫣

The poop pipe in Sainsbury’s ceiling is actually their flight system which sucks the cash from the tills to the cash office.

Hey Shaun. I’ve just contacted Cornwall Council to check if we could still park overnight in the Island Car Park in St Ives, while we stayed in a self catering place. They confirmed “There is no over night parking for camper vans in our car parks whether they are slept in or not”. We have a T6 as our daily driver. My wife has mobility issues. This seems a bit bonkers really. The sign is pretty explicit about them being not permitted between specific hours overnight though, and seems to intimate this is across Cornwall now.

Bluey is the real mvp

fuck yeah bluey. Charlie has great taste

I think if you disconnect the battery for about 1 hour and then reconnect the correct way, the immobilizer resets? Could be wrong though...

I hope its just a fuel pump l have only had to change two fuel pumps on the same vehicle caused by E10 but in Australia we also have unleaded petrol no ethanol and on my next ute l just used 91 unleaded and never changed the fuel pump

Funny I miss nothing and did see your van parked in the back of halfords shore I will bump into you one day I ditched my new van and went back to an old one cheep parts and more reliable

Typical roadside assistance… spray a ton of easy start into it to see if it’ll start 🤦🏻‍♂️

My custom done that after I had a new engine it was the fuel relay wasn’t plugged in properly

Looks like some of the contents of that container have got into your eye……..

Oh Shaun what a nightmare mate. You should have rang me and I could have picked you up and took you to the meadery mate seeing you was in Penzance. 😊

I have a raspberry pi computer in my van so I can play old retro games in retropi or play films on it from a memory stick or go on the internet if there's wifi.

You dont seem to be having much luck with that van Shaun, hopefully this will be the last thing to go wrong now.

Lets face it mate theres worse places to be broke down😂, modern vans like all modern things aren't built to last im afraid, transit smiley is the way ahead❤

I saw something on another channel about a common problem on transits,,, ( it shouldn't affect you as your engine is new),, they run a "wet belt " system and the belts break up and bugger the engines up,, other campers beware !!! 👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿