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Current Events/News: Advantage Online: 2004 Archives

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This article may be distributed and reproduced, but only by following the requirements stated in Permission to Reproduce.

FORD SERVICE BULLETIN AVAILABLE ON REPAIRING MAGNESIUM RADIATOR CORE SUPPORT

March 15, 2004 - There is a technical service bulletin now available from Ford Motor Company on repair recommendations for the magnesium alloy radiator core support on the 2004 F-150. The bulletin, No. 04-2-5, is available on the www.motorcraft.com web site. Independent collision repair facilities and insurance companies can review the bulletin by purchasing a short-term subscription to the TSB database from the Motorcraft Technical Resource Access page.

Cautionary procedures are needed when working with magnesium. One of the dangers is the possibility of a magnesium fire, which cannot be extinguished with an ordinary A-B-C fire extinguisher. The bulletin states that magnesium will burn with a brilliant white light if heated above 427° C (800° F). This is more likely with small parts or magnesium chips. Large magnesium parts are not easily ignited, because magnesium dissipates heat very quickly. The entire mass of the part would have to reach the ignition temperature for the part to catch on fire. Other precautions listed in the bulletin are to not grind on the magnesium casting, contaminate magnesium dust or chips with other materials, or expose the casting to strong oxidizing agents.

The bulletin also provides tips on straightening bent magnesium parts, and refinishing repairs that may be necessary on the radiator core support.

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