careful following that F150

by Tom Krisher, AP Auto Writer

DETROIT (AP) — U.S. safety regulators are investigating a fuel tank
problem that could affect more than 2.7 million Ford F-150 pickup trucks.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Monday that the
steel straps holding up the truck's gas tank can rust and break,
possibly causing a fuel spill and fire. No injuries have been reported
from the possible defect.

The agency is looking into trucks from the 1997 through 2001 model
years. NHTSA's investigations often lead to recalls.

NHTSA began looking at the fuel tank problem last year after it received
32 complaints. NHTSA and Ford have now received 243 reports of the tanks
falling. In two incidents, a fire started when the fuel tank fell. One
of the fires destroyed the pickup, while the other extinguished itself.

NHTSA said there was fuel leakage in 95 of the reported incidents. Nine
reported sparks when the tank dropped on the road, which would increase
the likelihood of a fire.

Ford said it's cooperating with the investigation. Company spokesman Wes
Sherwood said owners with questions should contact their dealers.

On 5/9/2011 10:48 PM, bob urz wrote:
> by Tom Krisher, AP Auto Writer
>
> DETROIT (AP) — U.S. safety regulators are investigating a fuel tank
> problem that could affect more than 2.7 million Ford F-150 pickup trucks.
>
> The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Monday that the
> steel straps holding up the truck's gas tank can rust and break,
> possibly causing a fuel spill and fire. No injuries have been reported
> from the possible defect.
>
> The agency is looking into trucks from the 1997 through 2001 model
> years. NHTSA's investigations often lead to recalls.
>
> NHTSA began looking at the fuel tank problem last year after it received
> 32 complaints. NHTSA and Ford have now received 243 reports of the tanks
> falling. In two incidents, a fire started when the fuel tank fell. One
> of the fires destroyed the pickup, while the other extinguished itself.
>
> NHTSA said there was fuel leakage in 95 of the reported incidents. Nine
> reported sparks when the tank dropped on the road, which would increase
> the likelihood of a fire.
>
> Ford said it's cooperating with the investigation. Company spokesman Wes
> Sherwood said owners with questions should contact their dealers.
>
>
Shrug. Been a problem on old trucks in salt country for decades. Almost
always starts with visible leaks and gas odor when parked, so shame on
any owner that doesn't notice and take corrective measures. Mebbe they
have plastic tanks now, so no early symptoms.

--
aem sends...

I saw a news item on TV news about six hours ago about fuel pumps which
are mounted inside fuel tanks.They said don't let the fuel level get
below the pick up tube (whatever) of the fuel pump.It can cost anywhere
from about $300.00 to over $1,000 for repair.They said don't let the
fuel level get below one quarter of a tank.
cuhulin

bob urz > wrote in :


>
> Ford said it's cooperating with the investigation. Company spokesman Wes
> Sherwood said owners with questions should contact their dealers.


I heard that Ray LaHood said that Ford owners should park their trucks
indefinitely, as they are clearly unsafe to drive.


--
Tegger

wrote:
> I saw a news item on TV news about six hours ago about fuel pumps which
> are mounted inside fuel tanks.They said don't let the fuel level get
> below the pick up tube (whatever) of the fuel pump.It can cost anywhere
> from about $300.00 to over $1,000 for repair.They said don't let the
> fuel level get below one quarter of a tank.
> cuhulin
>

Gee they are only about 10 years out of date. This was a problem on the
EARLY FI vehicles that only had a pump hanging in the tank. On most
vehicles from 1995 and up are made with a fuel pump module. The module
holds a reservoir of fuel around the pump from the return line. This
fuel cools the pump and helps keep it alive. On the early units without
the module the pump gets cooled by the fuel going through it and some by
the fuel around it, a low tank level means less fuel around the pump to
cool it. Also if you let them run out of fuel more than a couple times
the pump can overheat and fail.

--
Steve W.

bob urz wrote:
> by Tom Krisher, AP Auto Writer
>
> DETROIT (AP) — U.S. safety regulators are investigating a fuel tank
> problem that could affect more than 2.7 million Ford F-150 pickup trucks.
>
> The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Monday that the
> steel straps holding up the truck's gas tank can rust and break,
> possibly causing a fuel spill and fire. No injuries have been reported
> from the possible defect.
>
> The agency is looking into trucks from the 1997 through 2001 model
> years. NHTSA's investigations often lead to recalls.
>
> NHTSA began looking at the fuel tank problem last year after it received
> 32 complaints. NHTSA and Ford have now received 243 reports of the tanks
> falling. In two incidents, a fire started when the fuel tank fell. One
> of the fires destroyed the pickup, while the other extinguished itself.
>
> NHTSA said there was fuel leakage in 95 of the reported incidents. Nine
> reported sparks when the tank dropped on the road, which would increase
> the likelihood of a fire.
>
> Ford said it's cooperating with the investigation. Company spokesman Wes
> Sherwood said owners with questions should contact their dealers.
>
>

Gee you mean that the steel straps under a 10-15 year old vehicle could
be rusty??
Those straps that are right near the STEEL brake lines that are also
rusting??
Under the cab and box that are probably full of rust holes with the cab
mounts that are falling....


--
Steve W.

Ray LaHood said Ford trucks should be parked indefinitely? I wonder what
kind of vehicle he owns? If it isn't a Ford, he should buy a Ford.
cuhulin

> wrote in message
...
> Ray LaHood said Ford trucks should be parked indefinitely? I wonder what
> kind of vehicle he owns? If it isn't a Ford, he should buy a Ford.
> cuhulin

Ford trucks are, according to owners, some of the best
on the American market..

In tank fuel pumps need cooling and lubrication, which
they get from fuel. GM, Ford, all of them have about the
same engineering problems.

In general, it is NOT a problem. What makes it a problem
is the super high prices of the fuel pump modules in recent
vehicles.

hls > wrote:
>
>In general, it is NOT a problem. What makes it a problem
>is the super high prices of the fuel pump modules in recent
>vehicles.

Not to mention the difficulty of getting to the damn things.
--scott
--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

"Scott Dorsey" > wrote in message
...
> hls > wrote:
>>
>>In general, it is NOT a problem. What makes it a problem
>>is the super high prices of the fuel pump modules in recent
>>vehicles.
>
> Not to mention the difficulty of getting to the damn things.
> --scott
> --
Amen!