Recall - Heater/Engine Bypass Hose Replacement: Overview

88ford25

At Dealers By Order as Req'd -0- % of Parts Direct
Shipped to Dealers
At PDC By Now Temporary Maximum

Date in Owner Letter 9/2/88 Order Quantity of 2 Kits

RECALL NUMBER

88S99

Date: Sept., 1988

PLEASE GIVE COPIES OF THIS BULLETIN TO YOUR PARTS AND SERVICE MANAGERS

TO: All Ford and Heavy Truck Dealers

SUBJECT: Safety Recall 88S99 - Heater and Engine Bypass Hose Replacement and Muffler Inspections/Replacement on Certain 1983 through 1987-model 5.8L-4V H.D. and 7.5L Engine Equipped Ford Econoline-Based Ambulances

IN CARES/OASIS - YES
REFUND CLAIMING - USE FORM 1863
MODIFICATION CLAIMING - USE FORM 1864

VEHICLES AFFECTED:

Ford Motor Company is initiating a safety recall of certain 1983 through 1987-model Econoline E250/E350- based ambulances equipped with 7.5 Liter engines as well as certain 1985 through 1987-model Econoline E250/E350-based ambulances equipped with 5.8L 4V H.D. engines. All involved vehicles are rated over 8,500 lbs. GW.

REASONS FOR THIS RECALL:

Investigations of recent fires involving Econolinebased ambulances have disclosed a potential for engine compartment heater or engine bypass hoses to wear-out prematurely and rupture, allowing engine coolant to come in contact with hot engine exhaust manifolds and possibly ignite. Testing has indicated that worn-out hoses are not able to withstand the prolonged periods of extreme engine operating temperatures and higher engine cooling system pressures encountered during EMS severe-duty cycles.

ACTION BY FORD: All ambulances returned for the service provided by this Safety Recall will be modified as follows;

^ Replacement of existing engine compartment heater and bypass hoses with silicone/NOMEX hoses.

^ Replacement of the radiator cap.

^ Replacement of the engine coolant with a 50/50 mix of water and antifreeze. This mixture of coolant will provide freeze protection for most areas. Extreme cold-weather areas should be provided with a 60/40 mixture of coolant and water.

^ Pressure test the cooling system.

^ Inspection and, if necessary, installation of aluminized stainless steel mufflers on 1985-87-model 7.5L dual-thermactor engine equipped vehicles.

^ High heat resistance aluminized stainless steel mufflers will be installed on those ambulances equipped with 1985-1987 7.5L, dual thermactor air pump-equipped engines that did not have those mufflers installed in connection with safety recall 87M53. A temporary shortage of aluminized stainless steel mufflers last year required the use of substitute mufflers on ambulances that were found in need of muffler replacement at that time.

^ Underbody inspection for loose, mispositioned or missing heat-shielding parts. Contact the Special Toll-Free Econoline/Ambulance Hotline for authorization to perform modifications as a result of this inspection.

This service will be performed at no cost. Owner/ operators win be provided with information about replacement recommendations for engine coolant and heater and engine bypass hoses.

REFUNDS: Owner/operators of 1985-87-model 7.5L dual-thermactor engine equipped vehicles will be provided refunds for Ford-sourced aluminized stainless steel mufflers which may have been installed at their expense under Safety Recall 87M53. DEALERS ARE INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE REFUNDS TO OWNERS WHO ADEQUATELY PROVE SUCH A PURCHASE AND TO CLAIM FOR REFUNDS USING FORM 1863.

DEALER RESPONSIBILITIES:

Owners will be told that they may wish to inform the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration if the recall is not performed without charge or within a reasonable time after the vehicle is brought to their dealership for repair.

REPAIR CODES: REFER TO ATTACHMENT II, EXHIBIT 1 - THE "REPAIR CODES" SHOWN ON THE REFERENCED ATTACHMENT HAVE BEEN DEVELOPED TO ASSIST YOU IN SELECTING THE CORRECT EXHAUST SYSTEM MUFFLERS FOR SPECIFIC VEHICLES. THESE "REPAIR CODES" WILL BE PRINTED ON THE OWNER LETTER AND THE CLAIM FORM 1864. USE THE CODES TO DETERMINE REQUIRED MUFFLERS AND WHEN PREPARING CLAIM FORMS AND SERVICE DOCUMENTS.

CARES/OASIS: Dealers are to check the CARES and OASIS programs todetermine if an affected vehicle is involved in other recalls.

CLAIM FORMS: USE CLAIM FORM 1864 FOR THE MODIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS RECALL. USE CLAIM FORM 1863 FOR REFUNDS TO OWNERS WHO PREVIOUSLY PAID FOR INSTALLATION Of FORD-SOURCED ALUMINIZEDSTAINLESS STEEL MUFFLERS. Refer to Attachment I for preparation instructions.

PARTS Refer to Attachment II.
REQUIREMENTS:

LABOR ALLOWANCE: Refer to Attachment II.

TECHNICAL INSTRUCTIONS:

Refer to Attachment III.

OWNER NOTIFICATION:

Owner/operators will be notified with the letter shown on Attachment IV.

FPSD ASSISTANCE: Contact your FPSD District Service Engineer with any problems you have concerning this recall. Additionally, a special toll-free Econoline/Ambulance Technical Hotline is 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., Eastern Time to provide technical assistance by calling 1-800-445-1571.