Engine Mileage - What is too HIGH

[macca05]

Hey all,
I have been living in London for the past two years and its now time to leave, but before I head back home (australia), I want to travel around europe for 2-3 months. I really want to buy a transit van and just basically convert it into a camper for 2 ppl.
This is what I have been looking at;
1997-2002 Ford Transit LWB High Top... Now I know that is quite a big range but Its kind of what I can afford.

My main problem is I have not really been involved with diesel engines and I do not really know what kind of mileage I should be looking for.
I recently missed out on a 97 with only 90,000miles on the clock.
This is what I really need to know... Are there any problems based around certain miles that these engines do.
eg, the timing belt at around ???????

What is the life of one of these engines? (Miles) I know this cannot be exact?
Alot of people talk about the banana engine being the best one to buy. Could you please explain how I will know if its a banana engine? Is it the size. 2.0, 2.5 ???

Thanks guys for all your answers
Hope I don't sound too amateur as I love my cars but have not driven one for nearly 2 years now...

Macca

[Backbone of Britain]

The DI engine is the best diesel engine Ford have Made and are virtually bullet proof, with good regular servicing will go on and on and on and on.
The only thing that lets them down is rust.
I wouldn't hesitate in buying a good mk3,4 or 5 (years 1986-2000)Mk5 being the most readily available.
These rarely let you down and if they do are peanuts to repair.
The banana engine is the one with the curved manifold shaped like a bunch of bananas (hence the name).
All transits of that age are 2.5 litre rear wheel drive.
If you don't know when the timing belt was last changed then change it. Every van I have bought I have changed the timing belt regardless of when it was changed anyway.
Intervals for a belt change are 50,000 miles or 5 years.
Happy van hunting.

[trigger]

These engines can run forever with good maintainance, 100K miles is just run in, the Banana engine has an inlet manifold on top shaped like a bunch of Bananas and is 76ps non Banana is 70ps, cambelt should be changed at approx 50k miles or sooner if you are unsure when it was last done, all the mk5 engines are 2.5, some are turbo as well

[MattBlackMinibus]

I recently missed out on a 97 with only 90,000miles on the clock.

Unless there's history to prove the mileage, these sorts of numbers are VERY unlikely to be true.
Ignore the mileage, just check the condition of the van in general.
Try not to buy one without looking over it first. Get underneath to check the chassis.

[macca05]

Wow thanks for the replies

As two of you said that a belt change should be every 50000 miles, what is an average cost to have one of these changed at a mechanics?

Thanks

[MinorMatt]

£200 odd quid to get the belt changed

Personally I would be put off if the van had done over 300K (or 150ish with no service/very limited service history)

[transit mark]

I change mine myself, you may find someone on here in your area that will do it for you alot cheaper. Best to get the water pump done at the sametime.

MArk

[plastering1]

i had a cambelt done last week for £180 i wish i had the water pump done at same time as its there when doing cambelt hope this helps!

[macca05]

Hey guys,
Thanks for all your help... Ill really take all this in now... Just goes to show how great forums are for helping people. Wish I had of found you guys sooner.

I really know what I am looking for now and what I will need to do before I start the travels...

Thanks

[maycontainnuts]

my beavertail hs 467,000 on it ans still puls like a train and uses no oil

[macca05]

Thats what I like to here

[trainwreck]

Mk5 Transits A+ one of the best things ford EVER made just a shame about the rust so have a goooooood look around mine { sog ) works even when things do go wrong easy to work on. Transit every time

[solarman]

MK 5, 2.5 DI banana engine,183,000 on the clock and still running well......pics below,
[url]

[/url]
Solarman.

[trigger]

Mine turned 100,000 the other week

[dyte2004]

mines done 43000 miles not even broke in its only 24 years old