NHTSA Recall 78V203000
Filed by Ford Motor Company. Component: Engine And Engine Cooling. Reported 1978-09-21. An estimated 218,500 vehicles are affected. Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer.
Defect
THE INVOLVED VEHICLES CONTAIN EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEMS THAT UTILIZE A PULSE AIR REED VALVE TO PERMIT AIR FLOW FROM THE AIR CLEANER TO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD ON NEGATIVE PRESSURE PULSATIONS. THESE REED VALVES MAY FAIL UNDER COLD WEATHER CONDITIONS, CAUSING A BACKFLOW OF EXHAUST GAS INTO THE AIR CLEANER AND FUEL INDUCTION SYSTEM ON POSITIVE EXHAUST PULSES. THIS CAUSES AN OVERLY RICH AIR/FUEL MIXTURE, REDUCED FUEL ECONOMY AND REDUCED ENGINE PERFORMANCE. CONTINUED VEHICLE OPERATION MAY RESULT IN ENGINE STALLING OR OVERHEATING OF THE EXHAUST SYSTEM.
What the manufacturer will do
THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE PULSE AIR SYSTEM REED VALVE AND SILENCER WITHOUT CHARGE.
Notes
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 200 CID ENGINES,AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS AND THERMACTOR PULSE AIR SUPPLY SYSTEMS.SYSTEM: EXHAUST; EMISSIONS SYSTEM.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: OVERHEATING OF THE EXHAUST SYSTEM MAY LEAD TO SCORCHEDREAR SEATS AND CARPETS AND ASSOCIATED FUMES. ENGINE STALLING WOULD POSE ASAFETY HAZARD IN TRAFFIC, WHICH COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.