TSB Info
02-25-5 DEC 02 Interior - Front Seat Tracks Rattle
03-8-3 APR 03 Engine - Oil Level Indicator Markings
FORD: 1998-2003 RANGER
ISSUE
Driver and/or passenger seat track may rattle
(especially after a repair requiring seat removal).
ACTION
Loosen and retighten mounting bolts in proper
order. This should reduce the possibility of seat
track rattle. Refer to the following Service Procedure
for details.
SERVICE PROCEDURE
NOTE:THE TORQUE SEQUENCE MUST BE FOLLOWED
OR THE SEAT TRACK MAY RATTLE.
1. Loosen, do not remove, all seat track mounting
bolts. There are four (4) bolts per side, eight (8)
bolts total (right and left side respectively).
NOTE: SUPERCAB 2- AND 4-DOOR VEHICLES CONSIST
OF A SEAT TRACK KICK TRIM COVER ON THE
REAR OF THE SEAT TRACK THAT WILL
REQUIRE REMOVAL. THIS WILL ALLOW
ACCESS TO THE REAR SEAT TRACK
MOUNTING BOLT. THERE ARE A TOTAL OF
FOUR (4) OF THESE COVERS, TWO (2) COVERS
PER SIDE OR ONE (1) PER SEAT TRACK
OUTER AND INNER SIDES. REGULAR CAB
VEHICLES DO NOT HAVE THIS SEAT TRACK
KICK TRIM PANEL COVER.
2. Align the seat track holes to the holes of the
floorboard.
3. Retighten all bolts to 41 ± 6 Lb-ft (55 ± 8 Nm) per
the following order:
a. Front inboard
b. Front outboard
c. Rear inboard
d. Rear outboard
NOTE: PERFORM THIS ORDER FOR BOTH DRIVER AND
PASSENGER SIDES.
4. Verify the repair.
OTHER APPLICABLE ARTICLES: NONE
WARRANTY STATUS: Eligible Under TheProvisions
Of Bumper To Bumper Warranty Coverage
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=3 width="96%" border=3><TBODY><TR><TD class=VERTCENT align=middle width="25%" bgColor=#ffffff>TSB
03-8-3
</TD><TD class=VERTCENT align=left width="65%" bgColor=#ffffff>
- ENGINE - ENGINE OIL LEVEL INDICATOR MARKINGS - REPORTS OF LOW OIL LEVELS
<TABLE border=0><TBODY><TR><TD width=230>FORD:
</TD><TD>2002 ESCORT
2002-2003 CROWN VICTORIA, ESCORT ZX2, FOCUS, MUSTANG, TAURUS, THUNDERBIRD, E SERIES, ESCAPE, EXCURSION, EXPEDITION, EXPLORER SPORT TRAC, EXPLORER SPORT, EXPLORER, F-150, RANGER, SUPER DUTY F SERIES, WINDSTAR</TD></TR><TR><TD width=230>LINCOLN:
</TD><TD>2002 CONTINENTAL
2002-2003 LS, TOWN CAR, NAVIGATOR
2003 AVIATOR</TD></TR><TR><TD width=230>MERCURY:
</TD><TD>2002-2003 COUGAR, GRAND MARQUIS, SABLE
2002 VILLAGER
2002-2003 MOUNTAINEER</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
ISSUE:
Reports from the field indicate incorrect or low engine oil levels are being found at Pre-Delivery Inspection on new vehicles received in dealer inventory. In most cases, the level is being misinterpreted because the fluid fill mark on the stick is not touching the top hash mark at the upper limit (or MAX mark), or is partway down the crosshatch area.
ACTION:
Ford is in the process of standardizing the markings across all vehicle lines. Current markings shown will be upgraded to a refined marking, shown in Figure 1. Both markings will be used in production over the next few years. Oil levels will still be recorded in the crosshatched area of the blade, between the upper and lower limit holes. Vehicles shipped with engine oil levels falling within this area are acceptable and do not require topping off. Oil fill quantities are precisely measured at the plants and account for slight variations that may occur in oil pan volumes, indicator length, and pressed-in locations of the indicator tube into the block. For customer use, the markings continue to serve as a guide to refilling the engine to the correct initial fill volume with filter or, to top off the engine when it is determined the level is below the lower hole.
SERVICE INFORMATION
Ensure the vehicle is sitting on level ground. Set the park brake and ensure the transmission selector lever is in PARK position, or in FIRST gear on manuals. The engine must be OFF.
The best time for determining oil level is before the engine is started and the oil has had sufficient drainback time to the sump. If the engine has been running, allow it to sit for a few minutes turned off. An oil drainback period is required before taking an initial reading.
If the level falls below the lower hole, fill with one quart of oil. If one quart is insufficient to raise the level above the mark, add oil until it records within the crosshatch area. Use caution during this procedure as some time is needed for oil to drain down through the drainback passages in the cylinder head, to the oil pan. Adding oil a quart at a time repeatedly without sufficient drainback may overfill the sump.
If the oil level falls between the upper and lower hole do not add more oil. Adding an extra quart could cause overfilling and may result in aeration (foaming) causing eventual damage to vital bearing surfaces and moving parts inside. Overfilling will require some oil to be drained out until the indicator shows the level between the upper and lower holes of the blade. DO NOT expect the engine to "consume" the extra oil back down to the upper oil fill level hole, or consider it as extra lubrication protection for the engine.
OTHER APPLICABLE ARTICLES:
NONE
WARRANTY STATUS:
Information Only
OASIS CODES:
401000, 490000, 499000

Figure 1 - Article 03-8-3



