Owner & Operator Letter Information
Attachment IV
September 2, 1988
Dear Owner/Operator:
This notice is sent to you in accordance with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act.
Ford Motor Company has determined that a defect which relates to Motor Vehicle Safety evists in certain 1983-1987 Econoline-based ambulances equipped with 7.5 liter or 5.8 liter 4V H.D. V8 engines. Due to the prolonged periods of extreme engine operating temperatures and cooling system pressures encountered during EMS severe-duty cycles, heater or engine bypass hoses may wear-out prematurely and burst. Engine coolant ("antifreeze") from a burst hose may cause a fire if it sprays onto an overheated engine exhaust manifold, especially if the coolant is overconcentrated.
Ford Motor Company is now asking that you return your Econoline-based ambulance to your Ford or Ford Heavy Truck Dealer for corrective action.
COOLING SYSTEM SERVICE
At no cost to you, your dealer will:
- replace certain "rubber" heater hoses installed by Ford Motor Company when the vehicle was manufactured (ie., up to the auxiliary heater shut-off valves), with new "SILICONE/NOMEX" heater hose;
- replace engine bypass hoses
- replace the engine coolant (with a proper 50/50 mixture);
- install a new radiator cap;
- pressure test the cooling system.
Most ambulances also have auxiliary heater systems. The ambulance body manufacturer typically installs these heater systems. While these hoses are not part of this safety recall, we strongly recommend that you consider replacing all non-silicone/Nomex @ auxiliary heater hoses also. THE COST OF REPLACING THE AUXILIARY HEATER HOSES WILL BE AT YOUR EXPENSE. IF LEAKS ARE FOUND IN OTHER COMPONENTS OF THE ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM, WHEN THE SYSTEM IS PRESSURE TESTED SUCH AS THE RADIATOR OR RADIATOR HOSES, THE COST OF REPAIRING THOSE COMPONENTS WILL BE AT YOUR EXPENSE.
FOR ALL HEATER SYSTEM HOSE REPLACEMENTS, FORD RECOMMENDS THAT YOU SPECIFY HOSES MADE ONLY FROM THE "SILICONE/NOMEX" MATERIAL. SILICONE HOSES ALSO REQUIRE SPECIAL HOSE CLAMPS TO PREVENT CUTTING THE HOSE. USE ONLY THE HOSE CLAMPS RECOMMENDED BELOW WITH SILICONE HOSES.
When purchasing replacements, the following parts should be specified:
Ford Service Motorcraft Brand
Part Name Part Number Part Number
- SILICONE/NOMEX E8TZ-18472-H KH-15
Heater Hose - 25 foot lengths
- Formed Water Pump Bypass E8UZ-8597-A KMS-1776
Hose (for 5.8L 4V H.D. Engine)
- Hose Clamps D9AZ-8287-C YF-842
It is important also that the proper torque be used when attaching the special hose clamps required for SILICONE/NOMEX hoses. Your dealer will properly torque clamps when they install the heater and engine bypass hoses on your ambulance. If you should notice coolant seepage, retorque the clamps to 2.5 to 3.0 N-m (22-26 in.lbs.).
These parts are available through your Ford, Lincoln-Mercury or Ford Heavy Truck Dealer. They are also available through any Motorcraft parts distributor.
Ford recommends that you always replace these SILICONE/NOMEX HEATER SYSTEM hoses every 48,000 miles or 48 months, whichever comes first. Non-silicone hoses should be replaced every 24,000 miles or 24 months, whichever comes first.
It is important that your ambulance cooling system have the proper anti-freeze coolant and water mixture for adequate freeze protection. Please read and observe the recommendations on the attachment, "The Importance of Proper Cooling System Anti-freeze Mixtures".
EXHAUST SYSTEM SERVICE
^ Certain 198-5-1987 Model Ambulances with 7.5 Liter/Dual Thermactor Engines
Ambulances with 7.5 Liter V8 engines and a dual-thermactor emission system will have a new aluminized stainless steel muffler installed. Mufflers and installation will be free of charge.
Some of these ambulances may have already had new alumunized stainless steel mufflers installed during the earlier recall. These vehicles will not need new mufflers.
^ Refunds for Certain Later Model Muffler Replacements
As noted above, some of these ambulances with 7.5 liter/dual thermactor engines may have received the new aluminized stainless steel mufflers during the service for the earlier Safety Recall 87M53. If you paid to have these new aluminized stainless steel mufflers installed, you are entitled to a refund for the costs of parts and labor. If you are entitled to this refund, please present your paid receipt to any Ford or Ford Heavy Truck Dealer who will process a refund for you.
This receipt must show the date of repair, the part numbers for the new aluminized stainless steel muffler and attaching parts as well as the parts and labor costs.
^ Other 7.5 Liter and 5.8 Liter 4V H.D. Engine Equipped Ambulances
Ambulances with 7.5 Liter V8 engines and a single thermactor emission system as well as all 1985-1987 model ambulances with 5.8 Liter 4V H.D. V8 engines will only have the muffler inspected. Replacement of defective mufflers will be the owner's responsibility.
SCHEDULE SERVICE AT ANY FORD OR FORD HEAVY TRUCK DEALER NOW
Since the cooling system parts, mufflers and instructions are now available, we urge you to schedule this service as quickly as possible.
NOTE: ANY FORD OR FORD HEAVY TRUCK DEALER CAN DO THE COOLING SYSTEM AND MUFFLER SERVICE.
Before you return your vehicle for this service, we urge you to review the cooling system information sent to you in June, 1988. Some cooling system maintenance may be needed now.
COMPUTER FORM
The computer form included with this letter may include a special part code. Your dealer will need to know this code when you call to make an appointment. The code, located in the box labeled "Kit Code", half way down the right side of the form, will be a single digit number from 1 through 8.
IMPORTANT NOTE
If your vehicle is not operated solely on propane and has not yet been modified to correct a fuel system over-pressurization concern, announced in July, 1987 as Safety Recall 87M53, or has only received the earlier (prior to late-October, 1987) Phase I fuel system modifications, you need to have these modifications done as promptly as possible. You may want to have all of the required services performed together.
NOTE: ONLY OUR SPECIALLY TRAINED DEALERS CAN WORK ON THE FUEL SYSTEM AND SYSTEM MODIFICATIONS.
A listing of our specially trained dealers is enclosed.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED COOPERATION
We are sorry that we must inconvenience you again by asking you to return your Econoline-based ambulance to your Ford or Ford Heavy Truck dealer. However we do wish to maintain your confidence in our vehicle. Thank you for your continued cooperation in this matter of mutual concern.
THE IMPORTANCE OF PROPER COOLING SYSTEM ANTI-FREEZE MIXTURE
It is extremely important that the proper anti-freeze mixture be used in your ambulance cooling system, and that it be maintained at recommended levels.
Ford recommends that a reasonably fresh 50% anti-freeze concentrate and 50% water mixture be maintained in the cooling system of your ambulances at all times. This mixture provides adequate freeze protection for most areas (50/50 mixtures provide protection to - 35~F). It also provides optimum engine cooling and corrosion protection for the system.
Increasing the anti-freeze concentration above 50% will reduce engine cooling and result in hotter engine operation. If you are in extremely cold area, it is permissible to use a 60% anti-freeze concentrate and 40% water providing protection to approximately - 60~F, but only during the winter months. (This is a revised coolant manufacturer recommendation from the information sent to you in June, 1988, in a Motorcraft booklet "Cooling System Operation and Maintenance", dated April, 1979). The mixture should be returned to 50/50 at the end of your cold season. As the concentrate percentage gets larger beyond 60% concentrate, the freeze protection is less. A 100% anti-freeze concentration only protects your cooling system to - 8~F.
Decreasing the anti-freeze concentration below 40% reduces corrosion and freeze protection (40/60 mixtures provides protection to - 10~F).
Remember:
^ Maintain cooling system mixtures at 50/50. Do not allow the mixture to be above 60/40.
^ Replace your cooling system mixture annually.
^ Replace lost coolant with a 50/50 mixture. Keep a pre-mixed supply of 50/50 mixture to refill the system.
^ Do not refill your system with pure anti-freeze.
^ Regularly inspect and repair any cooling system leaks.
^ Replace cooling system hoses before they fail. Follow the Ford recommended replacement intervals.