GandJP Posted August 29 Share Posted August 29 Just a little warning that we were due to have a timing belt replaced a few weeks ago but the night before we had the appointment cancelled due to them (Allen Ford Swindon main dealer) not being able to source a part (timing belt cover). This was some three weeks ago and the part is still not available to them and after speaking to Ford themselves may well NOT be available for quite some time and they have indicated that might even be next year! Just what a mess this all is, mine is 2018 but a Ford Transit has to be one of the most common vehicles on the road and nobody can have their vans repaired I assume at all? I also know that Ford brake pads are also an issue so whatever else is I shudder to think. We are booked to go to France for a month in September but it looks like we will be forced to cancel our ferry booking and probably losing our money as we cant just rebook for another time as we dont know when we can have the job done and not going which is a massive interuption to so many things, meeting friends for a week who also have a MH and a major family do. Ford are a joke thats for sure! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Den Posted August 29 Share Posted August 29 We have 5 Ford 16 seaters ranging from 2016 and exceedingly high mileage and we find spare parts no real concern. certainly none have been off the road waiting for parts, specially break parts which are regularly changed. must say never had to purchase a timing belt cover. you could try breakers / engine rebuilders mall parts we use are Ford parts and fitted by our own mechanic. den Ps send me the part number and I’ll ask Nick for his advice. is the cover repairable, I’m guessing it’s plastic which can be repaired permanently or as a temporary fix. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GandJP Posted August 29 Author Share Posted August 29 Den, Its made of a thin metal with a fitted silicon seal that is not reusable or they could just refit mine. I dont see a main Ford dealer using secondhand or non Ford parts or doing a tempory fix and if they do they are not someone I would deal with. Den, You've not had any problems until now but probably will. I only know what I am told but I am just saying here so we know. Sorry I dont have a part number but Ford have issued a nation wide alert to secure one but sadly for me they weren't able to find one. They have said they are having problems with their supplies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onecal Posted August 29 Share Posted August 29 (edited) Hi I don't think it's just down to Ford parts as the industry as a whole has been hit with this issue. The problem of the pandemic and raw materials, transport issues, wars, are all affecting the supply of parts for the vehicle manufacturing industry Some manufactures have actually slowed down production due to the lack of supplies of certain parts from Ukraine and non trading agreement with Russia Sorry to hear of your problem with your Ford ,not that it helps ,but your not on your own with so many other brand manufactures also effected by the pandemic and present conflicts in the world Hope you do get to go on your holiday Regards Edited August 29 by onecal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted August 29 Share Posted August 29 The timing-belt change was mentioned by GandJP in an April posting in this thread. https://forums.outandaboutlive.co.uk/topic/65119-a-cautionary-tale/#comment-717876 GandJP's Transit has the wet-belt motor and (as has been said) it's unlikely that a Ford main dealer would fit a 'pattern' cover. There are online adverts for 'genuine' Ford parts (example here) https://vospersparts.com/genuine-ford-transit-custom-2l-fwd-full-wet-belt-kit-includes-castrol-engine-oil.html?srsltid=AfmBOop0ph5pNZeyJd3h8Jujt39TeAiygc9PcOhNjliWzwrNNdXAbtQI but a Ford main dealer might well insist on obtaining the necessary parts through the Ford network. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColinM50 Posted August 29 Share Posted August 29 No it's not just Ford. I bought a 70 Reg Jaguar iPace in February (fabulous car) and had been waiting since I bought it for Jag main dealer to get the parts to fix the aircon which worked for just ONE day after they tried to fix it in late May. Since then the eighteen parts needed for the repair seemed to have been made of unobtainium but finally they got the parts in and fixed it two weeks ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GandJP Posted August 29 Author Share Posted August 29 It seems I am the only one on here that is unaware there is a general vehicle parts problem. Not had any work needed so nothing done lately. I should have had the belt done back in mid May but had a week in hospital instead and had to cancel which has caused me this problem now. Not sure how much longer I am going to be on the road as I also have a Ford Ecosport that before long will need some brake shoes (mot advisory) but been told not to book it in anytime soon as they are a problem as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colin Posted August 29 Share Posted August 29 If you use a independent garage they will probably source the parts without too many problems, checked a couple of the parts you need and they are available, just not from Ford. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GandJP Posted August 29 Author Share Posted August 29 (edited) Colin, There are two garages near to me that I have used over the years but neither wanted to do the job and both told me to go to the main dealer in Swindon. Both know me well and I trust their advice so yes I did try my independents first but it seems I just chose a bad time to do so. Edited August 29 by GandJP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GandJP Posted August 29 Author Share Posted August 29 3 hours ago, Derek Uzzell said: The timing-belt change was mentioned by GandJP in an April posting in this thread. https://forums.outandaboutlive.co.uk/topic/65119-a-cautionary-tale/#comment-717876 GandJP's Transit has the wet-belt motor and (as has been said) it's unlikely that a Ford main dealer would fit a 'pattern' cover. There are online adverts for 'genuine' Ford parts (example here) https://vospersparts.com/genuine-ford-transit-custom-2l-fwd-full-wet-belt-kit-includes-castrol-engine-oil.html?srsltid=AfmBOop0ph5pNZeyJd3h8Jujt39TeAiygc9PcOhNjliWzwrNNdXAbtQI but a Ford main dealer might well insist on obtaining the necessary parts through the Ford network. Derek, I think that is correct and that they have to get their parts from Ford directly or their work wouldn't have any Ford surety thats for sure. I did try my two known to me local garages but both said the job was potentially too big a problem for them which I did find odd when concerning the biggest one in Marlborough and you see their workshops and the vehicles they do work on their abilities are not to be doubted but they obviously knew stuff I didn't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colin Posted August 29 Share Posted August 29 ATM Ford (even by their own admission) have an atrocious record on reliability, and the wet belt system is part of the problem, it may be the independents think it isn't worth the risk for them to work on the engine. As for the Ecosport, I was given 10am tomorrow as a pick up time for brake shoes and discs, so they might do them for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onecal Posted August 29 Share Posted August 29 (edited) Hi Again it not just Ford , it's worldwide to the majority of vehicles , it's from shutdown during the pandemic to the wars going on at the moment preventing some of the raw materials been sourced and factories producing the parts needed for the manufactures of the vehicles just not been available to their networks for distribution The independent parts manufactures are in much the same boat but may have a larger stock for the moment in some of their warehouses So sourcing some parts can be very difficult as they are not been produced in the same quantity So it's not just a major problem with Ford parts Regards Edited August 29 by onecal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted August 30 Share Posted August 30 A GGOGLE-search on car parts unavailability will reveal the extent of the problem and how long it's been going on (and likely to continue to go on!) I can understand why unavailability of the timing-belt cover will be a real issue for GandJP as his Transit-based motorhome has reached the 6-year recommended belt-change point, but - unless his Ford Ecosport car is still under warranty - any competent garage should b able to fit replacement brake shoes/pads and those parts don't need to be sourced from a Ford Dealer. I vaguely recall the 'genuine Fiat' shoes for a Ducato's rear parking brakes costing a fortune, but being no better performance-wise than shoes from a manufacturer like Ferodo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onecal Posted August 30 Share Posted August 30 (edited) Hi Again this is far from just a Ford issue alone and of course any competent garage should be able to fit common wear and tear items if they are available for a particular vehicle and it's not under warranty Regards Edited August 30 by onecal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colin Posted August 30 Share Posted August 30 I checked The brake parts for Ecosport and timing belt cover for Transit, they are 'off the shelf' at our local parts dealer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onecal Posted August 30 Share Posted August 30 (edited) Hi You are lucky. If the situation continues it will become more and more difficult as parts become more scarce as stocks are not available and therefore unable to be replenished to the same degree as before. Hopefully things may pick up again Regards Edited August 30 by onecal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted August 31 Share Posted August 31 17 hours ago, colin said: I checked The brake parts for Ecosport and timing belt cover for Transit, they are 'off the shelf' at our local parts dealer. But is your "local parts dealer" a Ford main agent? As was said above, obtaining and fitting brake parts to an out-of-warranty Ford Ecosport should really not be an issue, but (although GandJP's 2018 Transit will presumably be out of warranty) as GandJP says, if a Ford main agent is to carry out the belt-change, "...they have to get their parts from Ford directly or their work wouldn't have any Ford surety...". The difficulty in GandJP's case is not that timing-belt covers are unavailable for Transit 'wet-belt' motors - they are and there's an example advert here. https://tpuk.net/for-ford-transit-timing-cover-and-seal-2-0-ecoblue-adblue-fwd-rwd-2016-on-belt.html The stumbling-block is that the Ford dealership (Allen Ford Swindon) that would be carrying out the work has told GandJP that a 'genuine Ford ' cover cannot be sourced from anywhere in the UK. This video describes the belt-change procedure on a 2018 Transit Custom https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RIil6qDJsNs and it will be apparent that the task is not simple and that removing the thin metal timing-belt cover will damage it so that it cannot be reused. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colin Posted August 31 Share Posted August 31 No they are not a Ford agent, the post was a response to onecal who insists there is a general shortage of parts when in the case of these parts there is no shortage, as long as the OP could find a garage to do the work. Ford have many problems at the moment, I can only see them loosing market share in Europe esp in the passenger car market. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onecal Posted August 31 Share Posted August 31 (edited) Hi Colin Sadly their is a shortage of parts and not just to Ford alone and again this is from the pandemic and present wars going on at present. You were indeed very lucky they had what you needed in stock, as many suppliers or factors are waiting and waiting for some parts I think this has been well publicised https://cavcoach.co.uk/blog/parts-shortages-problems-in-the-uk/ .https://www.theguardian.com/money/2023/jul/24/car-parts-shortage-leaves-drivers-in-limbo-as-makers-put-sales-first https://dealers.bartsparts.com/due-to-a-global-shortage-of-spare-parts-now-is-the-time-to-sell-yours/ Again let's hope things pick up Regards Edited August 31 by onecal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colin Posted August 31 Share Posted August 31 2 hours ago, onecal said: Hi Colin Sadly their is a shortage of parts and not just to Ford alone and again this is from the pandemic and present wars going on at present. You were indeed very lucky they had what you needed in stock, as many suppliers or factors are waiting and waiting for some parts I think this has been well publicised https://cavcoach.co.uk/blog/parts-shortages-problems-in-the-uk/ .https://www.theguardian.com/money/2023/jul/24/car-parts-shortage-leaves-drivers-in-limbo-as-makers-put-sales-first https://dealers.bartsparts.com/due-to-a-global-shortage-of-spare-parts-now-is-the-time-to-sell-yours/ Again let's hope things pick up Regards At least two of those articles are two years old, the second one is the telling one, the parts are out there but mufacturers are leaving customers in the lurch. Funny that parts suppliers whose business is dependent on being able to sell parts have them in stock, but manufacturers who sell the cars don't. Are there parts shortages? yes, but nowhere near as bad as some car manufacturers seem to imply, this is more true of Ford who have huge problems ATM, not least because they (by their own admission) have been supplying customers with defective cars which require repairs from new. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onecal Posted August 31 Share Posted August 31 (edited) Hi Colin Its far from just a Ford issue ? It's going on since the start of the pandemic and now present wars are far from helping the situation hence the articles I attached Again if motor factors or part suppliers have them in stock ,well they are the lucky few Some of the manufactures that make the vehicles are unable to obtain some parts for their production line in the quantiles the need So you can see the delay and difficulties they are having with spare parts and it's not just in Europe https://winknews.com/2024/02/29/car-parts-shortage-leaves-drivers-stranded/ This is far from just a Ford issue as you imply Regards Edited August 31 by onecal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colin Posted August 31 Share Posted August 31 (edited) It took me about 5 minutes to find a in stock rad for her car. p.s. As I posted, I don't deny there is a shortage of some spares, but it's not quite as the car manufacturers would tell you. p.p.s. 50 years ago I had to wait a year for a rear sprocket for a Honda, maybe I should blame that on the pandemic, or maybe because the only supplier was Honda and their JIT hadn't catered for a bad batch of sprockets. Edited August 31 by colin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onecal Posted August 31 Share Posted August 31 (edited) Sorry it's just the way things are at the moment and it's not within any of our gifts to change it They are the facts and I would just love if there was no issues with parts at the moment But alas I am afraid there is, its far than just issue with just one manufacturer and tt maybe for sometime yet because of the pandemic and present wars going on at the moment https://winknews.com/2024/02/29/car-parts-shortage-leaves-drivers-stranded/ Regards Edited August 31 by onecal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted September 1 Share Posted September 1 GandJP's original posting was a warning to owners of Ford Transit-based motorhomes that have the 'wet-belt' motor that UK Ford main dealers are currently unable to source via the UK Ford parts network the metal timing-belt cover that is needed when a timing-belt is replaced. This image is taken from a video describing the wet-belt replacement procedure and shows the Ford label on the timing-belt cover. GOOGLE-searching on "GK2Q 6019 BC" indicates a wide availability of the cover at various prices (example here) https://www.autodoc.co.uk/car-parts/oem/gk2q6019bc but the parts advertised are all EQUIVALENT to the OE (Original Equipment) Ford cover and not the 'genuine article'. If no UK Ford main dealer can currently source the essential cover though the UK Ford parts network, and a Transit owner wants a belt change to be carried out by a Ford main dealer, this puts people like GandJP in an invidious position as his 2018 Transit is now overdue for a timing-belt change - which is exactly what GandJP's original posting was highlighting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onecal Posted September 1 Share Posted September 1 (edited) Hi Yes this is an issue to a lot of owners of vehicles because of the current situation worldwide .Hopefully they will be able to soon correct this as some of vehicle manufactures suppliers may come back on line or the vehicle manufactures contract another parts manufactures (maybe from another country) to make parts for them . That may be some time off yet We wait and see , not just a Ford issue alone, it has hit the industry as a whole Regards Edited September 1 by onecal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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