Dealer Letter

June 23, 1987

Dear Owner/Operator:

In the interest of safe ambulance operation, Ford Motor Company and leading ambulance manufacturers are conducting a coordinated national program to inspect certain ambulances for discrepancies that cause or contribute to excessive fuel system pressures and elevated exhaust system temperatures. Excessive fuel system pressures combined with high underbody temperatures can force liquid gasoline out of the fuel filler pipe when the filler cap is removed. If an ignition source is present, this could result in a dangerous vehicle fire.

The vehicles covered by this program are ambulances based on 1983 through 1987-model Econoline E-350 cutaway chassis and vans, equipped with 7.5 liter engines. Ford, as part of that program, also will modify the base fuel venting and emissions control systems in these ambulances. The modifications will make the vehicles more tolerant of the effects of the high-volatility gasoline being marketed in some localities and of the extreme operating demands that sometimes cannot be avoided in EMS service. You should be aware that only a very small fraction of ambulances have actually experienced any difficulty with excessive fuel system pressures, and that those typically have been associated with adverse factors such as overdue maintenance, unrepaired damage and unorthodox modifications.

Ford and the ambulance manufacturers will be sending you further instructions on the availability of this program within the next several weeks. In the interim, if you experience excessive fuel system pressures, the condition can normally be alleviated by using summer blend fuel from a high volume filling station and by keeping the tank(s) no more than 3/4 full. Additionally, we have enclosed a reminder list of sound operating practices that are important for all ambulance operators to follow. We urge that you review these recommendations and that you pass them along to all personnel in your organization involved in the operation or maintenance of ambulances.

Thank you for your interest and support in this matter. As indicated above, we will again be contacting you in the near future to coordinate implementation of the inspection and modification program. If you have questions concerning this program or experience any difficulties that appear to involve excessive fuel system pressures, you should contact the Ford Parts and Service Division District Office as shown in this letter.