Dealer Letter
February, 2000Subject:
Owner Notification Program 00M09 - 3.8L Engine Head Gaskets - Additional Coverage on Affected Vehicles to 7 Years or 100,000 Miles, Whichever Occurs First, From The Original Warranty Start Date -OR- Through October 1, 2000 or Coverage is Automatically Transferred to Subsequent Owners.
AFFECTED VEHICLES
All 1994 model year Continental vehicles equipped with the 3.8L engine and built at the Wixom assembly plant from December 8, 1992 through November 18, 1994.
All 1994 and 1995 model year Taurus and Sable vehicles equipped with the 3.8L engine and built at the Atlanta Assembly plant from April 28, 1993 through June 7, 1995.
All 1994 and 1995 model year Taurus and Sable vehicles equipped with the 3.8L engine and built at the Chicago Assembly plant from August 27, 1993 through June 26, 1995.
All 1995 model year Windstars equipped with the 3.8L engine and built at the Oakville Assembly plant from December 15, 1993 through August 11, 1995.
Re:
The announcement of Owner Notification Program 00M09 supersedes Owner Notification Program 98M01, which was announced May, 1998.
OASIS:
YES
OWNER LIST:
YES
PARTS RETURN:
NO
PROGRAM TERMS:
As stated above
REASON FOR THIS PROGRAM
Premature failure of the head gasket(s) may occur. This condition may result in engine coolant leakage, which if not detected, can cause engine overheating. In extreme cases, this condition may result in engine failure. To prevent engine failure, customers should bring their vehicle in for service under this program, if the following symptoms exist:
^ Persistent and worsening overheating engine conditions
^ Heavy white smoke from the tailpipe
^ Flashing "Low Coolant" sensor light, even after coolant is refilled
^ Black discoloration of coolant in the overflow bottle
Owners of affected vehicles are notified that additional coverage for this specific condition is being provided. Coverage is provided for 7 years or 100,000 miles, whichever occurs first, from the vehicle's original warranty start date. Coverage is automatically transferred to subsequent owners.
Vehicles which have exceeded 7 years from the original warranty start date will be eligible for this program for a grace period through October 1, 2000, or to 100,000 miles, whichever occurs first.
Ford Motor Company will provide the additional warranty coverage for the use of Ford parts and Ford authorized remanufactured parts, or repairs performed by a Ford dealer, related to this condition.
SERVICE ACTION
For vehicles exhibiting the symptoms described above, dealers are directed to replace failed head gaskets with a re-designed gasket, change the engine oil and oil filter and perform a cooling system flush.
Recent field audits performed by Powertrain Engineering indicate evidence that technicians are not following service procedures contained within program bulletins. Due to the customer implications associated with Owner Notification Program 00M09, technicians are strongly encouraged to follow the service guidelines, as provided on Attachment III. Technicians should pay particular attention to the cooling system flush procedure and to the section related to cylinder head and cylinder block gasket surface preparation and cleaning.
NOTE:
All repairs identified as related damage MUST be completed and submitted for payment within the Owner Notification Program time limit. Claims for repairs performed beyond the time limit will not be accepted for payment by ACES II.
If a repair was completed within the program limits and the dealer believes a related damage condition was present, but not detected at that time, the dealer must contact the Warranty Action Team (WAT) at 1-800-423-8851 for consideration of a manual pay exception. Exceptions will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
REFUNDS
Owners who paid for repairs made before the date of the Owner Letter may be eligible for a refund for two years from the date of this program or, for a limited time, a special marketing program to be announced by Ford and Lincoln Mercury Divisions, to assist owners with the purchase of a new Ford or Lincoln Mercury vehicle.
Refer to the Ford or Lincoln Mercury GFB for additional information regarding administration, conditions, terms and limitations of the special marketing program, or contact your Regional Customer Service Manager (CSM).
Owners may be eligible for a refund after the date of the Owner Letter, only if an emergency repair was made away from the servicing dealer.
Attachments
Attachment I
^ Administrative Information
Attachment II
^ Labor Allowances
^ Parts Ordering Information
Attachment III
^ Technical Information
QUESTIONS?
Claims Information 1-800-423-8851
Other Recall Questions 1-800-325-5621