Published: 13 July 2001
Robert Lane

The F150Online.com website is the hotspot for disgruntled F-Series owners who have gathered to exchange information on how they feel about Ford Motor Company possibly defrauding them by selling optional equipment; however, failing to install it on certain F-Series trucks.

The flag raising caught the attention of Milberg, a major class action law firm who, according to F-Series owners has filed a Class Action Lawsuit against Ford Motor Company this past April. Ben Kaufman at Milberg is the lead attorney handling the case. According to Milberg attorney Michael C. Spencer, David Rosenstein is handling media inquiries for the case.

1999-2000 model year F-Series owners are claiming that they ordered the optional trailer towing or SuperCooling package, both which Ford specified included a larger radiator. Many F-Series owners later found that Ford did not install the larger radiator as specified in the dealer's ordering books and Ford's sales literature.

The 1999-2000 standard F-Series radiators were single core units measuring 1.02" thick. When a 1999-2000 F-Series was ordered with a SuperCooling package, the radiator was upgraded to a two core, 2.2" thick radiator; however, in many instances the standard radiator was installed rather than the optional unit specified by Ford as part of the SuperCooling package.

To their credit, some Ford dealerships are replacing the standard radiators with the upgraded radiator without any cost to the consumer - but this may not be part of Ford's authorized policy since not all Ford dealers are replacing the radiators. Some F-Series owners were turned away as the Ford dealers point out that they are not authorized to make changes without Ford's approval. Certain dealers are instead, installing the upgraded radiators and billing them to Ford as a warranty replacement. Don't expect your dealership to take that type of action though.

In response to the inquiries by F-Series owners, Ford Motor Company issued the following statement:

RESPONSE TO F-150 RADIATOR LAWSUITS
DEARBORN, Mich., May 8. We recently discovered that some of our sales literature contained incorrect or out-of-date information. This is being corrected now. All the F-150 trucks with this special option package have the radiator capacity required for sufficient cooling, even under severe trailer towing conditions. Customer satisfaction is our highest priority. We apologize for any confusion or concern that this error may have caused. We are exploring what actions we can take to assure customer satisfaction.

# # #

According to Class members familiar with the lawsuit, Ford is said to be fighting the suit with the premise that they reserve the right to change specifications without notice. F-Series owners contend that paying for an upgraded part and receiving the base model part instead is unacceptable. One F-Series owner explained that under Ford's defense, Ford could install a smaller 4.6L V8 engine in a truck where a larger 5.4L V8 engine is advertised without penalty or notification. That same owner also said "I never thought Ford would treat their valued truck owners this way."

 

The following is an early draft of the press-release that didn't quite make the news:

Dateline, Dearborn

We've recently become aware that our customers have finally discovered that we've been installing the wrong radiator in trucks that owners actually intend to use as trucks.

While we search for a clever way to punish the dumb plant manager who didn't catch the error, we're now taking corrective action by changing the specification/literature to reflect what actually was installed -- rather than what was ordered.

We are proud to report that since the temperature gauge doesn't actually display any increase in temperature once reaching 'normal operating temperature' due to our clever way of keeping the needle firmly planted at one level until the threat of overheating is simply too much to ignore -- that most of our customers will never even know that their engine is about to fry.

We're also happy to report that most customers will never even draw the connection between radiator capacity and the possibility that their transmission oil temperature can heat up as a result of the reduced cooling/water capacity of the radiator -- since we never published any transmission temperature specification in our owner manuals.

Additionally, since the oil pressure gauge never moves, owners are unlikely to see the connection between higher engine temperatures and lower oil pressure.

Lastly, since it is likely that gaskets and timing covers will leak, we thought of you, our loyal customer, by designing in the "Fail-Safe Cooling" feature -- whereby the engine will automatically switch to alternating cylinder operation -- where each disabled cylinder acts as an air pump that keeps the engine from total melt-down while you limp your damaged truck to our dealership for repair.

We applaud your cleverness in *F*inding *O*ur *R*eliability *D*eficiencies."

 

Y2K:
What do you figure is the difference in coolant capacity between a 5.4L with a 1.02" radiator and one with a 2" radiator? I seem to recall it's about an 8% increase in total capacity.

 

I'm told that it's 'a bunch' (love that technical term?) -- as it's a function of the amount of area available for air to pass over.

It appears that the 1.42" radiator may have as much or more cooling ability than the 2" due to the amount of fins and finlets (is there such a word?) -- while the real issue is that for most applications, the 1" is 'good enuff' -- meaning: the engine doesn't get too hot even with the smallest radiator.

Now, while that's technically accurate FOR THE ENGINE -- it leaves a bit to be desired where it comes to the two other things that are cooled in the end tanks of the radiator (remember the engine oil cooler and the transmission oil coolers?).

It seems that running things on the ragged edge is becoming the norm -- and instead of having extra cooling available -- we're now supposed to let electronics shut down the burner so that the engine doesn't mimic Chernoble.

Look for even higher engine temperatures in a year or so as water pumps "right-size" (read: reduce) capacity -- and electric fan controls eliminate the fan at all except idle speeds.

 

Y2K:
Sadly you're right. The days of over-design are long gone. It's all about optimization now. According to USA Today, that optimization has killed more than 40,000 Americans. CAFE has a lot to answer for!