Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control:crankcase (pcv)

NHTSA recall 78V203000 · announced September 21, 1978 · filed by Ford Motor Company · 218,500 units affected

The problem

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 to 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.

Vehicles covered by this recall

• 1978 Ford Fairmont
• 1978 Mercury Zephyr

Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration public recall data. This page reports official records and is not legal, medical, or repair advice.