I FIX THE ‘ONE’ FAULT WITH MY MK6 ESCORT VAN

Welcome back all,
In this video I attempt to fix the blowers on my recently purchased Mk6 Escort van. I changed out the blower motor within an hour or so but on further inspection, the heater box inside of the van was badly damaged. This was because someone was lazy when they changed the heater matrix and decided instead of removing the dash to access it, they would cut a massive hole in the side of the heater box for better access. This caused all of the air flow to go into the passenger footwell and not make it out of the vents.
Me being me, I had to do the job properly and in this video I show the great lengths I went to, by removing the dash out of my van and rectifying the faults. I sourced most of the parts from a local scrapyard which gave me some real satisfaction!
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[@millie1107]

Great video Mitch, that brought back memory's hunting around the scrap yards. The dash back to original 👍

[@Mk2Mitch]

Cheers mate, I changed the dash back to original after this video! Was a bit too funky for me 🤣

[@Jimdirt7898]

I admire your enthusiasm to remove all that interior it looks a right nightmare

[@Mk2Mitch]

It was one of those jobs I wasn’t looking forward to but knew it had to be done!

[@jacklifeonwheels]

Nice to watch something thats actually relatable , on youtube rather than the lambos or rolls being rebuilt.

[@Mk2Mitch]

Glad you enjoyed the escort video mate! Plenty more of these types of videos to come 😎

[@bnew275]

Cracking job 👍🏼was nice to meet u today at lynn and thank u for taking the time to have a chat 👌🏼

[@bernardlewis1329]

Nice, I purchased my 55 TD in 2016 and it had the walnut look fascia which was OK but I switched it for the dark to match interior. I have the same Ghia clock also I think many had it with the walnut dash. Keep up the good work.

[@Mk2Mitch]

Sounds like a good swap, I actually refitted my original dark grey facia after this video as the wood was a bit too funky for me! 😆

[@cliveroulstone9366]

Good job Mitch

[@Joe-ug1vu]

I had the walnut dash on my escort and the ghia clock with clear bulbs in the clock

[@neill4133]

Great work Mitch, this is what we all did pre eBay days, routing round scrapyards looking for parts. I got a whole black Ghia interior for my mk2 Escort back in 1993 for £20, they were the days. Agree with you too about the lighter evenings, winter seems to have gone on forever. The dash looks fine, have some luxury in the old van!

[@Mk2Mitch]

Sounds like some great memories mate, I was born too late 🤣 Looking forward to summer now!

[@vivianhughes9347]

Your video brought back memories of when I replaced heater matrix in my '92 Sierra Ghia. The dreaded smell of coolant inside the car, wet carpet and misted up windscreen - of course it had to start leaking in winter! Nightmare of a job, so much to have to remove! Really enjoy your videos. You are always so enthusiastic. Hope to meet you and Lauren one day at a car show in the summer. PS I prefer the original dash!

[@Mk2Mitch]

Thank you, these jobs really aren’t too fun as you’ve experienced before! You’ll be pleased to know the original dark grey dash went back in 😎

[@bigsquatchsasfoot1964]

I’m sure it’s probably the clock spring but also Check the connection under the drivers seat for the airbag light coming on and off Mitch ! Give it a really good clean it could be that I heard people talk this problem on these it’s quite common I think 🤔 blimey what a job well done dude that was a lot of messing about I like the dash to 👍

[@Mk2Mitch]

Thank you for the suggestion! I knew it was the clockspring as the wiring was really mangled. I fitted a second hand one the other day and the lights stayed off since 😎

[@tomlarsen2133]

Hi Mitch another awesome video, I’ve got very similar van, ( 2002 mrk 6 with the lovely plastic wood , a zetec 1.8 petrol, and some nice black leather seats) and me blowers not working and watching your video made me wish I’d become a mechanic instead of a mr busdriver for thirty years lmao, Me vans just got fresh mot, only a coil spring so I’m happy but I will have to address everything in this video ( heater blower bits and a reasonable priced man to do it lol) and also just as a side note , if you use one of those heavy steering wheel locks it will eventually knackered your hooter! Me hooter don’t work no more, lmao so humongous round of applause to our Mitch for freaking out armchair mechanics with time lapse lmao and I’m gonna get up early on June and come and meet and greet you in June, nice one Mitch.. Oh nearly forgot, I spotted you and your missis in background of anglia auction video the other day “ hey just saw Mitch, where’s his camera? lol, electric windows and remote central locking!!! Idea!?

[@Mk2Mitch]

Hi mate, great to hear there’s not too much to fix on your escort van! Great to keep these on the roads 😎 Will be great to see you at the gathering in June 👍🏻

[@geedee1999]

Nice to see you're buzzing now you have heat. Just throwing it out there, as you did ask, what about the old school Zebra Escort Rally stripes. I know these were on mainly white escorts back in the day but i can recall seeing them on blue coachwork as well and it did look the nuts. A nice set of seven spoke RS alloys would be cool too.

[@Mk2Mitch]

Hi mate, great suggestion on the decals, I’ll have to look into them 👍🏻 I also agree on the alloys, the vans crying out for some!

[@katkylekim]

Top job that and you had to go to all that trouble to dismantle another van ! Im surprised there are still Escort vans in scrap yards now a days the money they are making ....

[@Mk2Mitch]

Thank you! Yes it wasn’t the best experience ripping the dash out of a escort van that had been sat in the breakers for 10+ years 🤣

[@twiz1084]

New dash good call. Really love your enthusiasm and what you do Mitch. From a driver who was a Ford fan. Mk2 Cortina, Mk3,4,5,6 a Granada and then Escort and Transit vans for my work. Happy days.

[@Mk2Mitch]

Cheers mate! Sounds like you’ve owned some real gems 👍🏻

[@johnrowell942]

Great fix and nice ghia upgrade parts. 👌

[@paulmurray750]

Nice job, done a Sierra 1.8TD matrix a few years ago, not a quick easy fix.

[@karlgt9989]

Just shows what time and patience can achieve. Get the matching walnut door cards and gear knob, oh and buy more cd's, you need to buy a CD wallet to pop under your seat

[@Mk2Mitch]

I’ll try and chase down some more walnut parts & a CD wallet 😎

[@anotherdayinparadise7443]

Took the words out my mouth replace the plastic surround 👍💙

[@MrRedfreds]

Great job. 👍 looking good.

[@Mk2Mitch]

Thank you!

[@n22pdf]

Great work dude.. new dash looks awesome 😊 Pete

[@Mk2Mitch]

Thank you Pete! 👍🏻

[@tonydonny7886]

All looks great. Nice work 👍🏼

[@Mk2Mitch]

Thank you 😎

[@deanlake7962]

Great video bud and I like the new dash 👌

[@Mk2Mitch]

Thank you pal! Glad you like it 😎

[@johnwilliams2646]

Well done Mitch, I like the walnut dash, I’ve got something very similar on my MX5, I admire your attention to detail, keep on doing what you do and keep to your belief in doing things properly.

[@Mk2Mitch]

Thank you pal! Glad you like the walnut dash 😆

[@delboyfly1139]

New dash looks so much better Mitch, great vid as always lad 😊

[@Mk2Mitch]

Cheers mate!

[@timbird5494]

Well done mate a lot of hard work well worth it though great van I had one for ten years never let me down 👍

[@Mk2Mitch]

Cheers mate!

[@FriendlyFecker]

Bing Bang Bosh. Another great job done.

[@Mk2Mitch]

Thank you pal!

[@Deadonkey85]

The red key!!! Remember being told do not loose it. Not sure what happened if you did but the dealer made out it was massively important that you didn’t 😂

[@hoggmotorsport]

On the earlier ones with the PATS system fitted you needed the red master key to code in any new keys, didn't need to go on a machine or computer, could do it in the vehicle with the red key, the later ones were different.

[@Mk2Mitch]

Haha yes I couldn’t believe my luck when he handed over the red key 😎

[@dannyc4871]

You deserve to be happy. Only those who have fixed their own car can understand the jubilation they feel when after putting it back together, it works! Not a fan of the walnut dash, tbh. I think you should just give the van a good detail and keep it original. Your van, though, so you do what you like. Keep up the good work.

[@Mk2Mitch]

Thank you pal! The walnut went soon after this video was made and replaced with the original dark grey dash facia 👍🏻 I agree with you, good clean and keep it original!

[@richardjones7036]

Wicked video mate and your right man get back from work and cracking on with the projects

[@Mk2Mitch]

Cheers mate!

[@cortinamad1]

I think the dash looks good to be honest, leave is see if it grows on you, it’s a long job having to remove a full dash I remember taking my fiesta dash fully out. Great video 👍

[@Mk2Mitch]

Thank you, it may grow on me! 😎

[@barrywood5357]

Nice one mitch Make hay whilst the sun shines. The escorts where so easy to work on in the past i used to buy them from ebay and break them on my drive way in one day. Having a large shed soon filled with mk3/4/5/6 parts which i job lotted when i moved to a smaller house... I do miss those days.........

[@Mk2Mitch]

Sounds like good memories mate! Great to have the space to break them for parts 😎

[@bengraham6672]

Great work mate! Not a fan of that dash, much preferred the old one. Look forward to the next vid!

[@Mk2Mitch]

Thank you pal! You’ll be glad to know the original dash went back on after the video ended 🤣

[@mike_themechanic]

the red led light is the light for the PATS system. if it flashes then there is a problem with the PATS system. when you program a new key you have to look at the light to see when they flash

[@Mk2Mitch]

Perfect, thank you for that useful information Mike! 😎

[@andyt2704]

Great work 👌👌

[@Mk2Mitch]

Thank you! 👍🏻

[@welshy112]

Great job mate

[@Mk2Mitch]

Thank you!

[@nushooz6731]

I put the same surround in my van and a matching gear surround electric windows mirrors central locking fog light bumper with fogs proper carpet mk6 rs2000 recaros and 15inch gti wheels and factory six disc.

[@Mk2Mitch]

Sounds like some really good upgrades mate! 👍🏻

[@richarddinning6901]

What a nightmare. But your the right man for the job fantastic content again mitch.

[@Mk2Mitch]

Thank you mate!

[@johnnyvst-3776]

Keep the dash original.Great video mate👍

[@Mk2Mitch]

Thank you pal! Original went back in after I ended the video 🤣

[@mrwhite292]

Well done

[@Mk2Mitch]

Thank you!

[@dreammaker730]

Mitch i worked for a company who had loads of escort vans when new , alot of the heater matrix failed within 2 years of the vans life.

[@Mk2Mitch]

Wow that’s crazy! I’m sure the repair bill for labour was quite pricey 😬

[@stephenpalmer9409]

Ghia trim looks great

[@Mk2Mitch]

Thank you!

[@shadowzion1384]

Nice to watch Mitch not a fan of the walnut dash miss the days walking around a scrap yard collect treasures defo should make the van wheels like your mk2 fiesta wheels

[@Mk2Mitch]

Cheers mate! I’d love to get the steels banded and lower the van slightly 👌🏻 Maybe soon!

[@ARCHSTANTON61]

good lad, keep up the good work..

[@Mk2Mitch]

Thank you pal!

[@hoggmotorsport]

Alright mate, you probably know already but when you fit the new clockspring make sure you're wheels are in the straight ahead position, if its a new clockspring it should be centralised but I always used to check them. Press the lock button and gently turn it either direction until you feel resistance, then count the turns in the opposite direction until you feel the same resistance, then turn it back half the turns you first counted for center. If you feel no resistance its scrap, even had this with brand new ones, but if you're getting one from the breakers check it before you buy it. Love a good rummage around the breakers, never know what you'll find!! The dash cover is personal choice, its Ghia trim so matches the clock, its looks good, different from every other standard van, but I could also live with the grey standard surround! 👍

[@Mk2Mitch]

Thank you for the advice pal! Yes I was very careful when changing the clockspring and of course the wheels were in the straight ahead position. Fitted it a few days ago and light went straight out 😁

[@paulpobsanderson6219]

Nice set of period correct alloys.

[@Mk2Mitch]

Great idea!

[@eddiek821]

Great job, great van.Put some mk4 rs turbo wheels on it. Well done 👏.

[@Ttoe280]

👍, on the walnut dash,

[@andybrace4983]

Walnut tastic mate

[@bigadamski66]

Great job Mitch and very informative. As for the fake wood dash, its fake godammit lol Get rid!

[@ivanfernyhough3851]

Might be fake but it looks great.

[@Mk2Mitch]

You’ll be pleased to know I removed it soon after recording this video and swapped it with the original dark grey facia 😎

[@bigadamski66]

@@Mk2Mitch Man after my own heart lol

[@ewantodd]

Good lad

[@arthurdardalis]

Looks great, as the dash was out, I would have fitted a new cluster with a rev counter.

[@Mk2Mitch]

That’s a great shout, maybe I can do that in the future!

[@dreammaker730]

Walnut dash would have been a nice option back in the day .

[@andyv6140]

Dash is much better,keep it in fella!!!

[@Mk2Mitch]

Thank you pal! 👍🏻

[@darrenrevill8664]

Ghia door panels and electric windows next. Then 15" banded sterls

[@Mk2Mitch]

Great suggestion! 👍🏻

[@silvervandriver9940]

Keep the walnut it looks mint🎉😊

[@JJGOLF]

I was literally about to make the exact same comment! Looks mint, 25 years ago you'd of been top don!!!

[@statementleaver8095]

Wether Spearmint or Pepermint......That's some funny looking Mint You have 🙊🙊🤣😂

[@rossmclaren71]

Nice job mate ! I’m 50 50 on the wooden dash ! But great job! Would love to see that van same colour as the escort or fiesta! With same wheels ! How cool would that look

[@Mk2Mitch]

Great suggestion mate, you’ve certainly got me thinking 🤔👍🏻

[@cliveroulstone9366]

Wot a job that was but well done Mitch 👍

[@Mk2Mitch]

Thank you pal!

[@dale3852]

Keep going mate

[@Mk2Mitch]

Cheers pal!

[@scorcha100]

If you keep the wood effect dash i think you need the radio to match as the ghia also had a wooden effect head unit

[@Mk2Mitch]

That’s a great suggestion, thank you!

[@G4RY1159]

Seen Ya at the ACA auctions, you and the Mrs, thot you maybe gonny buy that red escort estate that needed a new paint job. Was some nice buys at it, watched both days Live

[@Mk2Mitch]

Haha yes that escort estate went SO cheap but we have no room left for any other vehicles 🤣

[@TheDaftApple]

Had a fiesta ghia with the walnut dash, try and source the gear surround it will look better

[@Mk2Mitch]

That’s a great idea, I will get in the hunt 👍🏻

[@TheDaftApple]

@@Mk2Mitch theres a Ford breakers I use local to me, I'm going down Saturday for a couple of bits for mine. I'll have a look if you want

[@michaeledwards427]

Great video mate. I didn't know Ford released a ghia option on the van, i just thought they were just the 55 and 75, with diesel or petrol powered, or was it that the scrapyard van had the ghia interior retro fitted? The only upmarket factory spec vans I've heard about are the ones from down under. If there were more ghia bits why didn't you get them as well? If it were me I'd fit as much ghia interior i could get. Has your vans load area been plywood lined yet? It's worth doing, plus it looks very smart when covered with a short close woven dark grey carpet. Also there's a scrapyard not far from Banbury, Oxfordshire which I've been to lots of times many years ago. We were there once in the early 90's and there's a man removing a gearbox from a marina van while he's laying in 4 inches of wet gloopy mud. Definitely a combination of commitment and i don't doubt desperation, as by then marina's were already getting rare.

[@ivanfernyhough3851]

They didnt,its bin reteo fitted once before and now again lol.needs the badges for the wings now.

[@Mk2Mitch]

Hi pal, I assume the Ghia trim had been retro fitted to the scrapyard van! I didn’t grab any other Ghia trim because parts were missing/broken 👍🏻 vans not ply lined but I plan to and add some stretched carpet on top!

[@Roger.Coleman1949]

Great content Mitch, taught me alot, I've had a Mk6 Escort van as my daily driver for 18 years !.I wonder why it was not realised by the previous bodge merchant that the removable side cover gained access to the matrix , saving you a lot of work ? . Only problem I have is in hot weather , the clock goes beserk and gains excessively , as presumably the quartz crystal is affected .Notice that your speedo . went ' full scale ' on start up - mine does not .Not sure I'm that keen on the dash , but the standard wheel trims would look much better in my opinion.I've seen the odd Mk6 van with Ghia chrome trim around the grille at the front which looked good !.

[@Mk2Mitch]

Hi mate, unfortunately because of the way the matrix is fitted/long pipes through bulkhead, means you can’t slide it out when in situ, meaning the full heater box needs to come out like I did! My clocks went full circle because the battery had been disconnected, they don’t usually do that 👍🏻 I’ll see if I can hunt some original wheel trims down!

[@paulriggers1558]

"i know a bloke who will fit the matrix for you, £20, a couple of hours", well, he did... i replaced hundreds of mk5 escort dashes in the 90s, there was no finisher around the radio, so every time the radio was nicked [screwdrivered out], you had to put a full dash in... every dry saturday in the 80/90s, we used to go around our 5 local scrapyards looking for good stuff to upgrade our poverty-spec fords, then spend sunday fitting all the new tat... the dash looks good, keep looking for more "tat"

[@EcstasyCo]

Think the walnut would look better if you could get matching trims for the door cards?

[@Mk2Mitch]

That’s a good suggestion! 👍🏻

[@escos0410]

Mk6 RS2000 front seats, banded steelies

[@Mk2Mitch]

Great suggestions 😎

[@moddenby4525]

Should've got the ghia clocks assuming it had a rev gauge straight fit on older fords and may of got lucky with milage

[@moddenby4525]

And I rarely buy new parts scrapyard all the way from me lol

[@Mk2Mitch]

That’s a great idea, I’ll have to hunt some clocks down! 👍🏻

[@laserracer6]

Love the Dash...wheels next ..slightly lower it

[@Mk2Mitch]

Cheers mate, yes I agree definitely a set of wheels next 👌🏻

[@michaelcopse2013]

The dash looks amazing leave it has it is mate...

[@Mk2Mitch]

Thank you!

[@scottsmith6274]

I was thinking that is the easiest heater matrix to change- two screws, two hose clamps and just slide it out, then there is the two ends of the matrix poking through the bulk head stopping it going sideways?

[@Mk2Mitch]

Yes the pipes for the matrix are around 2/3 inches long and poke out the other side of the bulkhead. The way the matrix is fitted means it’s impossible to slide out of the heater box without full removal from the vehicle! Who designed that!!!

[@richardpearson4248]

Fantastic video mitch the new dash looks really nice looking forward to more videos 🇬🇧👍

[@Mk2Mitch]

Thank you pal! 😎

[@Chilled_Mackers]

The dash addition looks tasty Mitch - job well done! Also, how rare is it these days to be able to root around in a scrap yard. I've always had classics, the scrap yards were great for interior parts, especially higher trim level parts for upgrades. So road trip in the van, when?

[@Mk2Mitch]

Cheers mate! I know, this was my first proper time at a scrapyard and it was brilliant 😁 Not sure on the date of the first road trip, but the van gets me to and from work everyday!

[@Chilled_Mackers]

@@Mk2Mitch I've not been to a scrapyard to root about since the late 90's 😆 Glad the van gets used, looks a solid cruiser.

[@statementleaver8095]

I feel robbed of entertainment.......what happened to the Hub caps?? Only joking.....In Your own time Mitch👍👍

[@Mk2Mitch]

Haha soon to come! I want to get them stripped and painted, along with the steels 😎

[@DavidRelphWorkLife]

HI Mich the original dash looks better mate, keep it as ford made it, cheers Dave

[@Mk2Mitch]

Hi Dave, you’ll be pleased to know I refitted the original dash 😎

[@matthewtopping2560]

Put alloys wheels from a esscot cossie on the van

[@Mk2Mitch]

I would love to! 😎

[@tonyfurneaux3399]

😁

[@georgemorrison6689]

To be honest I am like you can never make my mind up about the plastic dash, but when you see the normal plastic it does look slightly different

[@matthewkeable1919]

Dash looks good a nice upgrade

[@Mk2Mitch]

Thank you!

[@mpe6678]

Yo Mitch, Great job done there, top marks.👍 The walnut does not look to bad. It probably needs something else walnutty to tie it in. Top man. From S.A.

[@Mk2Mitch]

Thank you mate! I took the walnut dash facia off in the end! 🤣

[@lazyarsepie_vx]

Big no no to the walnut 😂

[@Mk2Mitch]

I changed it back 🤣👍🏻

[@lazyarsepie_vx]

​@Mk2Mitch great choice 😂😊

[@leepearce3148]

Where did you get the blower motor from?

[@Mk2Mitch]

EBay! I will attach the link here 👍🏻 www.ebay.co.uk/itm/385701104056?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=eo3flM5cSvO&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=QmkVcqVWQxK&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

[@leepearce3148]

Thank you.

[@steviek5138]

There’s another walnut trim that goes on the centre console…hunt it down…oh fyi there’s no such thing a a ghia van

[@Mk2Mitch]

Thank you for informing me! The person that owned the escort van in the breakers, must’ve done the same as me and added Ghia parts! I’ll try and get a centre console trim piece 😎

[@theskinnybiker5908]

Not sure about the walnut dash to be honest

[@Mk2Mitch]

I changed it back to the original dash in the end! 👌🏻

[@garytedds141]

band the wheels and lower it just a bit

[@Mk2Mitch]

Now that’s a good idea! 😎

[@derekmillar318]

Nice job 5 star...wood dash looks ok

[@Mk2Mitch]

Thank you! 👍🏻

[@shanewaller2864]

Keep the dash it looks mint , can you wire up a rev counter instrument panel as that would look awesome.

[@Mk2Mitch]

Thank you pal! I’m trying to hunt down a set of clocks with a rev counter in 👍🏻

[@Ian-cc1qm]

Fit alloys

[@Mk2Mitch]

On the list! 👌🏻

[@muzza6047]

I like the walnut effect

[@tomrucroft9509]

Wallnut dash isnt for me, i like the plain black.

[@Mk2Mitch]

I swapped it back to original! 😆

[@anthonymiddlesex6859]

DASH LOOKS GOOD CHANGE THEM SEATS..........................WELL DONE

[@Mk2Mitch]

What should I change the seats to??

[@archiebaldock5488]

Sorry mate , I prefer the original dash 🙂

[@Mk2Mitch]

You’ll be pleased to know I refitted the original 😎

[@andrewbranford2032]

Ditch the wicked wood ! reasons it's not a jaguar and it's not even wood and your not 75

[@Mk2Mitch]

It was ditched pretty soon after this video was made 🤣

[@guy4469]

id have wired two heaters in under the seats this gave me a headache to watch .but thanks this was good .

[@Hd7868]

The values of these vans are on the up. Get it as stock as possible and you’ll have a nice investment on your hands 👍

[@Mk2Mitch]

Thank you! That’s what I’m planning on doing, up next is freshly shot blasted and powder coated steels, along with 4 new tyres 👍🏻

[@paulbushell3279]

Keep the walnut effect dash adds a bit of class, and lift the interior.

[@iambloater]

Wood (and fake) wood in cars looks hideous 😢

[@ivanfernyhough3851]

Nope,i wont buy a car without loads of walnut and leather,its just so classy.looks great and smells great to,well so long as its real wood lol.but the ford fake stuff looks really like wood in all fairness.

[@iambloater]

@@ivanfernyhough3851 we’re all different of course but I think wood in a car looks very grandad.

[@ivanfernyhough3851]

Lol,i have had wood and leather in my cars since i was 27,jaguars ofcourse so real.52 now and i just cant stomach cars with rubbishy cheap black or silver plastic interiors,infact just about any modern cars i guess.just looks cheap,however i guess its a van afterall.nobody makes interiors as good as jaguar/daimler,rolls royce or bentley.

[@Tezzathekidda]

Had a Audi a4 with a wood in part of the dash it actually looked alright was a few years ago now

[@Mk2Mitch]

You’ll be pleased to know I swapped the fake wood back to the original dark grey dash facia after this video! 😎

[@digdavelcfc6563]

That wood shite needs to go

[@Mk2Mitch]

It went! 😆 Original is back in!

[@Zpeter84.]

Biggest piece of shit I ever worked in as a delivery endless breakdowns never bought a ford since

[@Mk2Mitch]

That’s a shame, these are such reliable engines! Bodywork on most is starting to rot away but still some clean survivors 👍🏻

[@pauloneill8912]

plastic wood looks awful