Recall - Fuel Filler Neck Clamp Torque/Alignment
NUMBER: WWO-98DATE: August 2003
APPLICABILITY:
2004MY Subaru Legacy and Outback Vehicles
SUBJECT:
Fuel Filler Hose and Clamp
INTRODUCTION
Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) has determined that affected vehicles, listed below, may have been manufactured with an improperly installed hose and clamp. This condition could result in a fuel leak.
This recall involves inspecting and, if necessary, adjusting the hose and clamp for proper alignment and torque.
AFFECTED VEHICLES
Certain 2004 model year Legacy and Outback vehicles.
Affected vehicles are identified in the VIN range chart below. NOTE: Not all vehicles within the range are affected. Dealers will be provided a list of affected inventory vehicles from their Regional/Distributor office. Coverage for all other potentially affected vehicles must be confirmed by using the Vehicle Coverage Inquiry in the Dealer Communication System (DCS).
OWNER NOTIFICATION
Notification letters have been sent to owners of affected vehicles. SOA has prepared and mailed those letters on August 25, 2003. A sample of this letter is shown.
DEALER PROGRAM RESPONSIBILITY
Dealers are to promptly service vehicles subject to this recall at no charge to the vehicle owner regardless of mileage, age of the vehicle, or ownership.
For affected vehicles sold after the date on the dealer's computer list, dealers are to contact those owners and provide them with a copy of the owner notification letter. They should also arrange to make the required correction according to the instructions in the service procedure section of this bulletin.
Vehicles in Dealer Inventory
Dealers are also to promptly perform the applicable service procedures defined in this bulletin to correct affected vehicles in their inventory (new, used, demo) Additionally, whenever a vehicle subject to this recall is taken into dealer new or used inventory, or is in the dealership for service, necessary steps should be taken to ensure the recall correction has been made before selling or releasing the vehicle.
New or used vehicles listed in a recall/campaign that are in dealer stock must be:
- - Immediately identified.
- - Tagged or otherwise marked to prevent their delivery or use prior to inspection and/or repair.
- - Inspected and/or repaired in accordance with instructions outlined in the Product Campaign Bulletin.
Any Authorized Subaru Dealer failing to perform the applicable service procedures defined in this bulletin to correct all affected vehicles in their inventory (new, used, demo) prior to the vehicle being placed in service may be subject to civil penalties of up to $5,000 per violation (i.e., for each vehicle), as provided in 49 USC sub-section 30165(a) of the Safety Act, and will also be in breach of the Subaru Dealer Agreement.
REPAIR PROCEDURES
This repair procedure involves inspecting and, if necessary, adjusting the hose and damp that connects the filler pipe to the fuel tank for proper alignment and torque.
1) Raise vehicle on a lift.
2) Locate the hose and damp that connects the filler pipe to the filler tank at the right rear undercarriage of the vehicle directory above the drive axle as shown in Figure 1.
INSPECTION
3) Inspect the hose and damp for proper alignment and torque as follows:
^ Verify the end of the rubber hose is parallel and seated 1 mm back from the black ring on the filler pipe.
^ Verify the edge of the hose damp is parallel and seated back 8-10 mm from the black ring on the filler pipe.
^ Verify that the end of the hose damp is between 34 mm and 36 mm from the end of the worm gear (see Figure 4) Note: Upon inspection, if 37 mm is measured, do not loosen the clamp to achieve the 36 mm specification.
REPAIR
4. If the hose and or damp are found to be misaligned, correct as follows:
^ Loosen the hose damp.
^ Position the hose so that the end of the rubber hose is parallel and seated 1 mm back from the black ring on the filler pipe.
^ Position the edge of the hose damp so that it is parallel and seated back 8-10 mm from the black ring on the filler pipe.
^ Tighten the hose damp the end of the band is between 34 mm and 36 mm from the end of the worm gear. Caution: Do not tighten the hose clamp beyond 36 mm.
RECALL CAMPAIGN IDENTIFICATION LABEL
Type or print the necessary information on a Recall Campaign identification label. The completed label should be attached to the vehicle's upper radiator support.
CLAIM REIMBURSEMENT AND ENTRY PROCEDURES
Credit for performing this recall campaign will be based on the submission of properly completed repair order information. Dealers may enter the applicable claim information through their Dealer Communications System
Listed below is claim entry information:
Inspect and/or repair fuel filler hose and clamp - Use the following information for claim submission:
Enter labor operation 146-131 for 0.22 labor hours.
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