Ford Escort Van 1.8D

My review is on the 1.8D Endura D engine model also the 55 (550KG) model on a 51 plate (2002). I've had my Escort for 6 months now and it's absolutely brilliant. Handles very well for an old chassis and efficiency is a definitely 5 stars. I do 400 miles per week in mine usually motorway driving. It cruises very well at 70MPH with out to much noise and effort!. On the motorways i'de say it is producing 52-55 mpg around town probably i'de say 40-46ish mpg. The gears are very short on this engine especially first gear and the downside is a RPM gauge is not complimentary but when you get used to the revs and engine itself it's not too bad at all. Yes it doesn’t keep up with the new modern common rail diesels and it's not the quickest at all but maintenance is much easier than a common rail diesel engine and the efficiency easily compares to a common rail diesel engine if not exceeds efficiency of common rail engine. I was quite surprised how these little vans handle they handle very well and you don't lumps of under steer going round sharp corners. Mine is 51 plate I’ve had it resprayed and it looks brilliant. At 60hp it is very underpowered so you do have to build the revs up pretty high to achieve adequate acceleration to keep up with the traffic flow. The engine itself isn't too noisy however as i said it does have a very short 1st gear so it is quite noisy in 1st. I would definitely recommend this van to anyone wanting a small cube van as like i said it certainly does compete with the new common rail diesel vans and you can also get these little van (a good one) for less than £1,500

I have had this van 9 years now and its just passed another MOT , 135000 miles , self employed plumber so it gets driven everyday ,I been quite lucky , but changed oil every 3.000 miles etc I was thinking of changing to something more upmarket but the thought of all the problems that come with modern vans put me off ,at least for another year ,Turbos EGR VALVES ETC this van has been worth the money , the simple diesel engine etc , pity they still dont make em !

great vans....brilliantly reliable and simple diesel engine. well designed overall. BUT..1) watch for rusty sills...keep drainholes clean..including the area joining front wing base. I flush mine out every week.and loads of crud comes out..and 2) after around 110,000 miles the diesel injection pump can leak......pricey to replace!. 3) keep an eye out for battery shorting...I have heard of some vans/cars just sparking off and resulting in underbonnet fires!. I wax my van every week and clean wheelarches including base of rear arch where it overhangs. I love my van...W reg 2000 model....with the later electronic dash. It is simple and what it lacks (?) in modern over complicated cars it gains in rugged reliability and easy maintenance. Wish they'd kept it going and used galvanised steel...would have become an icon!

I have had my Escort van now for 4 years.Bought it in 2008 with only 19,000 miles on the clock. paid £2.400 for It top price I know but little used by the previous owners ,,must be one of the last registered one being a 52 plate.,,factory fitted lpg system

Yes its dated but this van looks fantastic,has cult status now and if you keep on top of the bodywork ..clean and polish it regularly will stand out against any vehicle.Just had mine signaged for my business so even more important now to keep it looking smart.

Very cheap to service too and parts are abundant...

I've looked at other vans but realised this does everything I ask of it,Very quiet on the motorway happily cruising at 70mph,,feels really solid and safe and the best part of it ,its all paid for,,,

The petrol engines are not the most economical but with the lpg Im getting 22 around town and on a long journey 28..which on lpg prices calculates against petrol 44 and 56 respectively,

Good ones are becoming rare now and you will be hard pushed to pay more than £2000 for as pristine example.

Hi i have had my escort van now a year and ok its due for a service it has passed every mot from new it has 2 owners from new 65,000 miles its lovely to drive and it has been used as a van to tow to load up to sleep in driving thousands of miles all over the country picking up furniture or engines it has been driven hard and it keeps going i would say to anyone to buy one ok keep on top of the rust and it will live forever mine has never failed to start from -14c to 28c never gets hot 55+mpg (mine has been well cared for).

Ok must admit no as fast as some other vans ive owned but my god its the best by far anyone looking for a van BUY an ESCORT 1.8 They will become the best van you ever buy mine cost £700 which was a bargain Cambelt kit aux belts head gasket had all been done escort gti alloys wheels and i have put the walnut ghia x dash gear surround and stereo and it looks the part very smart van.

ive been told told all of these 1.8 diesel non turbo engines are slow ive had three of these vans now the one i have now has power steering and seems as though it wouldnt pull the skin of a rice pudding but the two ive had before without power steering were a hell of a lot faster is this the reason or has anyone got any advice what would make it any faster ive done all of the servicing plus turned the diesel pump up and is still the same and idont want to change the engine any advice would be of great help as im pulling the skin of my head as i dont have any hair LOL cheers mark.

iv had my van 1.8 d none turbo van for 8months and loveing it. payed 500pound 109,000 on clock mint in and out. no rust and carpeted all inside floor roof and sides. got it after passing my test 3months erlya.

amazing, been ramed in the side by a bwm 320i which wrote the bmx off and only damaged driver door. been replaced.

been rames in the back by a 2012 307 which was wrote off. butt only bent the rear bumper and both doors.

my father in law used it to go fishing and dint putt handbrake on fully soo rolled into a lake, BUTT still started after a while.

allwaysed loved escorts and cheapset one i could have was the 55 van and so glad i did been thought a lot and still alive. cant belive it.

very slow butt veary good on diesl and cheap on parts. egine amazing mint. not one drop of oil on engine or leak on floor hardly smoke for a diesl. carry a full load of work gear (building gear) and on roof rack (full size) and towed a trailer for 130 miles whith on hassal at all.

its amazing love it.

why cant for make anymore vans or cars like these any more simpal and basic with a normail diesel engine non turbo and sturdy as this.

Brilliant little van, cheap to run, easy to work on - noisy and slow. Hard to beat though for price, insulate the back of it and its alot quieter. Ours was black, and looked a little bit wide boy but you dont buy this van for image, or maybe you do......

ive had my van for about 6 months now, it is my first van. i love it and just about everything about it. one small problem, (well i hope its a small problem) is that every so often im getting a load high pitched squeaking noise from underneath the van. it sounds a bit like somthing is stuck to the wheel, however, the noise only comes when i accelorate or if im goin a little too fast for the gear that im in. im thinking it could be one of three things, the clutch? the gearbox? or the turbo? is this a common fault with escort 55tb and could some please tell me if they have ever come across anything like this? thanks :(

i bought my escort van around 12 months AGO.IT is black in colour ,WHICH im told is a little RARE.IT gives good mpg and is good enough to drive ANYWHERE.IM running 15" rs turbo alloys on it which just finish it off NICELY.IT went for mot recently and passed without any problem WHATSOEVER.IT is a good little workhorse and im happy to drive it every DAY.THE only downside is its basic inside but im looking to improve it in the near future (RECARO seats and new INTERIOR/DASH,NEW cd player and maybe some electric windows and MIRRORS!! it starts 1ST time but has a few dings and dents after 118000 MILES!! still i would recommend to ANYONE.