JD wrote:
Has anyone got any thoughts on the blame factor?
The engine size is disproportionate to the compartment bay in fact it goes so far back that the displaced engine heat impacts severely on the driver inside the cab, especially in summertime.
The bulkhead had to be removed in order to accomodate the engine and all in all I wonder if the suspected rogue part would have performed differently in a more suitable compartment that presented less of a fire hazard?
My personal opinion is that the Engine makers will mount a strong challenge against any accusation of fault and if successful leaving LTI to pick up the tab via their insurance company.
I would just like to remind everyone that in 2003 LTI made a loss of ten million pounds, so large deficits are nothing new to LTI and if the chinese venture proves successful then such a loss won't be too much of a cross to bare considering the lions share will be picked up by their insurance company.
Regards
JD
IMHO the blame lies fairly and squarely with LTI.
They just cannot/will not do the R&D the major motor manufacturers can. There's no way a Ford or VW would have left the factory with the under bonnet heat issues of the TX4. A simlpe set of vents in the bonnet or inner wing would go a long way to helping it. The radiator header tank cracks with heat under there.
The VM Motori unit has had may other installations. Chrysler, Jeep and LDV to name a few. You don't read about them catching fire. Imagine the damage this has done to VM's reputation. It's not their fault LTI just shoehorned it in there and started selling it.
No. As with Metrocab and their dodgy alternator location on the otherwise bullitproof Ford Transit engine, it's not the engine makers at fault, but the cab makers and their lack of research and development. LTI may well go chasing VM, but as far as the cab trade is concerned it's down to LTI.
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