Uncle Bulgaria Posted June 6, 2013 Share Posted June 6, 2013 There appears to be a continuing problem with the tyre valves fitted to Ford Transit base vehicles. The problem I have experienced was reported by Brian Kirby in a post dated 29 August 2006. If the metal body of the valve stem is flexed then air escapes between the metal valve body and the rubber seating in the steel wheel. This happens on both my rear tyres, which run at 60 psi. It has not lead to any significant loss of pressure, but the vehicle is off back to the dealer next week. My base vehicle is a Mk 7 and was built in May 2010, so well after the 2006 posts by Brian and Derek Uzzell, and others, which, I think, were mainly to do with the Mk 6 Transit. I spoke with my local Ford Transit "specialist" but they just stock the one type of valve for the 16 inch Transit wheel, which seems to be a standard "snap-in", albeit with a metal valve stem. When I talked to my local ATS Euromaster that deals with HGVs as well as LCVs the fitter said they have no metal high pressure valves for the Transit and just fit the standard Ford type. Can anyone offer guidance on this situation? Most grateful for advice. Richard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted June 6, 2013 Share Posted June 6, 2013 This 2007 forum thread discusses Transit Mk 6 tyre-valve problems at some length (NB. some of the links within it may no longer work): http://www.outandaboutlive.co.uk/forums/Motorhomes/Motorhome-Matters/Ford-Transit-Mk-6-Tyre-valve-DANGER/9484/?posts=21 To summarise, those problems related ONLY to factory-fitted TR-600 snap-in 'high pressure' valves on certain Transit Mk 6 vehicles. The snap-in valve factory-fitted to Transit Mk 7s is not a TR-600 valve: it's a quite different design and SHOULD NOT suffer from the type of catastrophic failure that occurred with Mk 6s. I'm not sure if the tyre-valve fitted to Mk 7 Transits is purpose-made for Ford, but I'm not aware of that particular design being used elsewhere. The Ford Part Number is 4688245 (4C11-1711-BA) and there are photos of it here: http://www.ford-chrom.com.ua/product/4688245_ford/ I doubt if this valve is available other than from a Ford main dealer and, even then, it may need to be ordered. All tyre-valves have a metal 'stem'. On a snap-in high-pressure valve the stem is normally more exposed than on an ordinary lower-pressure 'car' valve. But an exposed stem does not always prove that a valve is a high-pressure type. It wouldn't in the least surprise me if tyre fitters are not following Ford's instructions regarding which valve should be used on Mk 6/Mk 7 Transits, as they were doing the same thing back in 2007. A metal clamp-in valve is not standard fitment for Transits and even a large firm like ATS Euromaster is unlikely to keep suitable clamp-in valves in stock. I bought clamp-in valves for my Transit from Auto4 and (although the Auto4 Part Number has altered) I'm near certain this was the valve I chose. http://www.auto4.co.uk/Valves-and-Valve-Hardware/Clamp-In-Valves/235030--Clamp-In-Valve-42mm-cw-16mm-Nut--235030 Whatever the type of valve (snap-in or clamp-in), it needs to be suitable for a (nominal) 11.3mm diameter rim-hole. If clamp-in valves are opted for, they need to be installed by someone competent who won't overtighten them. (I've not heard of any general tyre-valve problems relating to Transit Mk 7s, but there's always a first time!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uncle Bulgaria Posted June 13, 2013 Author Share Posted June 13, 2013 Thanks to Derek for his comments. The visible, external part of my tyre valves certainly look like the type shown in the link. I returned the Van to the dealer this morning and the technical director was horrified when he saw how flexing the tyre valve caused a clearly audible release of air, so all four valves are going to be replaced at the dealer's cost. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Kirby Posted June 13, 2013 Share Posted June 13, 2013 Well done to both Richard and the dealer. I hope they will report back to Ford on what they found. It must be pretty much inevitable that the valve stems will flex in use. I suspect that the standard wheel trims may restrict the degree of movement, but surely centrifugal force must induce some flexing? Banging over potholes must flex the valve stem a bit, as well - though doubtless too short term for noticeable loss. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.