Hi all!!

Wondered if someone could give me a little advice? Just been to look at a 2005 Transit 280 2l TDi and went test driving! On selecting 1st gear it was not very positive and there was a a thump which fed back up the stick. It was also very loose changing to 2nd. What could be causing that as 3rd & 4th where quite positive. There was also a whinnng sound, constant coming from under the bonnet.

The van has only done 23000 and am a little concerned if this could be a serious fault on the gearbox.

Andy, May 2009

i have a v reg astra van 1.7 turbo diesel black smoke coming from exhaust and has become under powered can anyone offer some advice

matthew, September 2009

Thanks Charlie & Arthur for the feedback- In the service history, which was brief, mentioned worn tyres etc: the odd bulb but one mention "no gears". There was a small puff of white smoke on startup but ran clean. Just a little concerned as the seller was asking £4500 on a 23000 miled van. The body work is prestine but is no good if the gearbox is about to fail.

Andy, May 2009

My advice for what it's worth.

1. Get price on exchange gear box local garage.
2. Check all MOT's look at mileage.
3. Has it been serviced at all any service history?
4. What's coming out exhaust? Black smoke/white smoke.
5. Diesel emmiting black I'm told is worn injectors not cheap to replace. Not sure but white could be oil and you can smell it. Open oil filler cap when engine running see if smoke comes out or sludge around filler tube.
6. Whining could be alternator power stearing ???? guessing...
Think about it look at others then decide it's better to miss it and end up with something else than buying trouble.

Charlie, May 2009

hi sounds like the selectors but van could have when round clock and back to 23000 - get another gearbox

arthur, May 2009