I don't own a town ace as yet but I do own a Mondeo V6 which cost me a lot of money to buy and then lots more money to buy a replacement engine for and have fitted. So I don't want to go down this route again.
So, I want to find out which is the most reliable engine for the townace as I really like them. I like them better than any of the new MPV's as well.
It appears (but I am new to this) that the 2ct (diesel) seems to have a few cooling issues which ends up with cylinder head problems because of lots of reasons.
Does the 2Y (I think it's a 2y for the petrol one) engine experience the same problems regarding head gasket and cooling issues.
From searching the web I am finding that the 2Y does not seem to have the same problems but this may not be the case.
Any help would be appreciated.
Andy
- (#12098) Andy, 13 Jul 04 18:45
4ye and maybe on very early ones 3Y/3ye. Yes they do have problems with overheating, as there are not that many there is not a lot of incidents on this web site. There are also a lot of owners who have not had an overheating problem, who have not posted here, to balance the equation.
I've not had a problem but then I did flush, flush and flush again, changed the rad cap (twice now), and thermostat. Checked the hoses and make sure that the internal hose in the expansion tank is stiff. I did all this as I had a Spacecruiser with a 3Y engine and had trouble with the rad which led to the expansion tank blowing it's contents!
Don't be put off of the 2CT engine because of the stories on this BoK. Follow the advice on buying on Ace Answers and step aside from any suspect ones.
Clive 2 and a half years and only one problem, which was sorted in less than 10 minutes after being transported home, a blown O ring on the fuel pump that let it suck air and not fuel. Just got to clean the engine bay now, one day...
- (#12098) Clive (Bristol), 14 Jul 04 01:05
Andy. I have expressed my view quite often on this forum and, after three years and over 45,000 miles with my 2CT diesel engined Masterace, I have had no problems at all except those minor maintenance requirements neccesary with any vehicle, and I still regard it as the most interesting and satisfying vehicle which I have owned in forty years of motoring. Like Clive, I did all the things which are required when you buy a ten year old vehicle and, in my case, I went the whole way and took the head off and made sure, with a pressure test, skim etc, that it was as good as could be. Yes, on this forum you do hear of the problems because, in the main, that is it's function. I am sure, like me, there are many owners who are only able to sort out problems with their vehicles, because of the fantastic and wide ranging mutual help which is available on this forum.
The Mondeo V6 is not a good training ground for Townace ownership. The Townace, as it's name implies, is a slow vehicle, more used to short, moderate speed and distance, than our road and motorway system allows but, if it is treated carefully, and used within it's limitations, then it's specification, it's unique make up and total complement of extras, make it one of the best MPV's around.
In my opinion, it is not a vehicle for those who are unwilling to carry out regular and, sometimes, tedious maintenance. Even checking the levels, with the re-arranging of seats, lifting the floor etc, puts some people off but, it is the price you pay for owning something different in the bland world of today's vehicles.
Cooling IS an issue and the small margin between average running temperature and overheat, has to be understood but, all the symptoms, and the remedies, are detailed somewhere in the archives of this forum.
As a Mondeo V6 owner, you are used to high speeds and dramatic acceleration and, if you want to continue to enjoy these aspects of motoring, perhaps, a V6 Galaxy might be preferable. However, compared to the Ace range of vehicles, your motoring is likely to be very dull.
- (#12098) John Davis ( leics), 14 Jul 04 02:33
Hi Andy,
I can only really concur with everything John & Clive have said already. I started a similar discussion around this time last year, as regards the fact that all you hear on this forum is when it all goes horribly wrong, you don't see people writing about the many thousands of miles these vehicles travel witjout a hitch.
As John points out, the cooling system is a bit poor, but there are some simple measures to help combat this trouble, namely electric fans, good quality coolant, regular flushing of the system etc. This should help avoid any problems. Additionally demand a good long high speed test drive on any prospective purchase, as this should show up any cooling system anomilies.
The Townace is a pretty unusual vehicle & as such a bit od TLC is required as a prerequisite of ownership & if you can maintain her yourself it will save you £££££££s.
As regards John's suggestion of a V6 Galaxy, well don't get me started on those unreliable pieces of Shite.
Regards Rob.
- (#12098) Rob Drinkwater, 14 Jul 04 12:11
Hey, Rob. Tell us how you really feel, eh!
- (#12098) David Miller, 14 Jul 04 13:27
Thanks for all your views. It's nice to hear some positive feedback on the TownAce.
As for the Mondeo V6 not being a good training ground I don't think I will have to worry because it spent most of the time off the road being fixed for one thing or another (0 to 60 in about 6 months awaiting it to be fixed again) and I have been driving around in a Cavelier Diesel for about a year, so I don't think the TownAce will be to much of a come down speed wise.
Thanks.
Andy Evans
- (#12098) Andy, 14 Jul 04 17:17
aaaarrrggghhhhhh!!!!!
galaxy, apart from the beetle, probably the crappiest car that vw have ever built. no a typing error either, don't forget the fraud galaxy, the vw sharan & seat alhambra are basically identical vehicles, the big thing is that they are all made in either spain or south america from the local grade of tin foil, with components from very sub standard manufacturing plants. amongst some of the problems with these acars are the following:-
air mass meters failing to make it to 50,000 miles.
temperature senders fail regularly.
the bottom falls off the air conditioning condensers regularly with corrosion, costs around £500 for fitting replacement.
the evaporator leaks on just about every one ever made, causing complete strip of interior to replace (imagine the labour to do that job).
the air con compressors have a habit of self destructing at low milages & cost around £300 + labour to replace.
later models have the receiver drier built into the condensor, hence whole unit (£300) has to be replaced every two years.
the baked bean tin metal they use to build them is easily damaged.
steering joint fail.
etc, etc, etc.
makes the humble townace look a dream to own really doesn't it.
regards rob.
- (#12098) Rob Drinkwater, 15 Jul 04 16:25
so you won't be downgrading to a galaxy then rob? (lol)
- (#12098) Ian Dunse (Derbs), 16 Jul 04 00:59
A note on Andy`s original question about 2y engine.
I have been running a Liteace for the last four years with a 2y (carb) engine which has now reached 95000 miles
It uses virtually no oil and runs extremely well. I still can get 30 mpg on a run if I stick around the 60/65 mph mark. The only thing I have ever had to do to it is change the oil and filter at regular intervals and I had to fit a drive belt once. I would not have a bad thing said about this exelent engine.
- (#12098) Tony, 16 Jul 04 17:55