Recall - Fuel/Exhaust/Cooling System Inspections
88ford25
At Dealers By N/A N/A % of Parts Direct
Shipped to Dealers
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Date in Owner Letter
RECALL NUMBER 87M53 - S10
88S99 - S1
Date: Sept - 1988
To: All Ford, Lincoln-Mercury and Ford Heavy Truck Dealers
Subject: Use of CARES/OASIS for Certain 1983-1987-Model EconolineBased Ambulances Involved in Safety Recalls 87M53 and 88S99
Vehicles Affected:
All 1983-1987 model Econoline E250/E350-based ambulances equipped with 7.5 liter engines and all 1985-1987 model Econoline E250/E350-based ambulances equipped with 5.8 liter 4V H.D. engines. The affected vehicles are all rated over 8,500 lbs. GW.
Special CARES/OASIS Information:
This bulletin supplements or updates previously transmitted CARES/OASIS information on Safety Recalls 87M53 and 88S99 involving certain Econoline-based ambulances. Effective with release of Safety Recall 88S99, the CARES/ OASIS systems will be activated for not only 88S99 but also for Safety Recall 87M53, which was not previously in CARES/OASIS. However, unlike other recalls in CARES/ OASIS, certain very unique conditions will be in effect. Dealership service managers and service advisors will need to be aware of these conditions when utilizing CARES/OASIS for Econoline-based ambulances as they are brought in for service.
These unique conditions are as follows:
^ Safety Recall 87M53 -- CARES/OASIS will indicate "M53" for uncompleted vehicles identified by VIN as ambulances. The service required could either be the complete inspection/modification procedures or the final Phase II" (Kit Code Y + X or E) modifications. It is possible that there are additional 1983-1987 model Econoline-based ambulances, equipped with 7.5L or 5.8L 4V H.D. engines, rated over 8,500 lbs. GVW in operation which have not yet been identified by VIN and would need the Safety Recall 87M53 inspection/modifications performed. You are cautioned not to just accept a CARES/ OASIS "negative response but to also physically the status of 87M53 service. Several visual checks which can be made by service advisors to quickly verify if 87M53 service has been performed on any potentially involved unit are:
- presence of an "authorized modification" decal on the radiator support indicating that Safety Recall 87M53 service was performed (see Attachment I for various possible decal combinations);
- presence of the special fuel filling "warning" decal near the fuel filler pipe(s);
- presence of the special Pre-Vent fuel filler cap(s);
- presence of the various special underbody heat shields.
IF THIS CHECK VERIFIES THAT THE REQUIRED SAFETY RECALL 87M53 SERVICE IS "OPEN", DEALERS ARE REMINDED THAT THE SERVICE CAN ONLY BE PERFORMED BY ONE OF THE SPECIALLY TRAINED DEALERS AUTHORIZED TO DO THE 87M53 INSPECTION/MODIFICATION PROCEDURES. (AN UPDATED LISTING OF AUTHORIZED DEALERS WAS INCLUDED IN THE SAFETY RECALL 88S99 DEALER BULLETIN.)
^ Safety Recall 88S99 -- This safety recall will be in CARES/OASIS for the VINs that have, at this point, been identified as Econoline-based ambulances covered by this recall. As noted above, it is possible that there may be additional 1983-1987 model Econoline-based ambulances covered by this recall which have not yet been identified to us by VIN. Again, you are cautioned not to just accept a "negative" CARES/OASIS response but also physically verify 88S99 completion status. This can be quickly checked by opening the hood and looking for:
- presence of an "authorized modification" decal on the radiator support indicating that Safety Recall 88S99 was performed;
- presence of the BLUE silicone/Nomex heater hoses installed as part of the 88S99 service.
FPSD Assistance:
Contact your FPSD District Service Engineer with any problems you have concerning these two recalls. Additionally, a special toll-free telephone line is also available to assist in resolving unusual repair issues technicians may encounter. Personnel are available daily from 7:30 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. EST to provide technical assistance by calling 1-800-445-1571.
Attachment I Page 1 of 1
Safety Recall 87M53
Usage of "Authorized Modifications" Decals on Involved Vehicles
Econoline-based ambulances serviced under Safety Recall 87M53 should have one of several possible combinations of "Authorized Modifications" decals which were to be used to indicate that the required inspection/modification procedures were performed:
^ Vehicle Originally Serviced Prior to October 26, 1987:
- Decal reads "vehicle inspected and modified per Safety Recall 87M53" with a service date prior to October 26, 1987.
This indicates that the "Phase I" inspection/modification was completed. The lack of a second decal (described below) indicates that the unit is only partially completed and requires the additional heat shielding/fuel filler parts installed in "Phase II" service.
- Decal reads "vehicle retrofitted with kit codes Y and X or E per Supplement #7, Safety Recall 87M53" with a service date after October 26, 1987.
This indicates that the supplemental "Phase II" modification was completed. Presence of this decal along with the original decal (described above) indicates that Safety Recall 87M53 service has been fully completed.
^ Vehicle Originally Serviced After October 26, 1987:
- Decal reads "vehicle inspected and modified per Safety Recall 87M53, Supplement #7".
This indicates that both "Phase I" and "Phase II" inspection/ modification procedures were performed and that Safety Recall 87M53 service has been fully completed.
A visual inspection of the Econoline-based ambulance may indicate that Safety Recall 87M53 service has not yet been performed or that the supplemental "Phase II" 87M53 service has not yet been performed.
Dealers specially-trained to perform the 87M53 service should complete the service. Dealers not trained to do this service should refer the owner to one of the specially-trained dealers. An updated list of the dealers specially-trained to perform the 87M53 service is enclosed with Recall Bulletin 88S99.