2000 Ford F150 Natural Gas Vehicle Supplement 1st Printing - Page 16

Servicing your vehicle Tank inspection and replacement For your protection, the CNG fuel tanks require visual inspection every three years or 58 000 kilometers (36 000 miles) whichever comes first. The purpose of the inspection is to check for exterior damage to the tank wrap which would shorten its usable life span. This inspection should only be done by qualified NGV Ford service technicians. The expiration date for the tank replacement is stated on each tank label. Coalescent fuel filter assembly Your vehicle is equipped with a coalescent fuel filter assembly. Its primary function is to remove contaminants; oil and water carryover moisture from the fuel and trap it in the filter bowl. The coalescent filter bowl should be drained every 192 000 kilometers (120 000 miles). Perform fuel system depressurization procedure (outlined in Service Manual) before disassembling the filter to avoid fuel pressure regulator damage. The filter element (FG-985 on Econoline and F-Series models; FG-976 on Crown Victoria models) and housing O-ring seal should also be replaced every 192 000 km (120 000 miles) on Econoline and F-series models and every 120 000 km (75 000 miles) on Crown Victoria models. Inspect and clean fuel fill valve filter The fuel fill valve filter is located in the high-pressure fuel line. Inspection and cleaning should only be done by a qualified technician. During the fueling process, natural gas is filtered before it enters the CNG tanks. Debris filtered from the fuel will remain in the filter until it is removed and cleaned. The fuel fill valve filter should be inspected and cleaned annually. Fuel fill valve filter replacement is only required when damage to the filter is visible. Spark plugs Replace spark plugs every 96 000 kilometers (60 000 miles) on Econoline and F-series models and every 60 000 km (36 000 miles) on Crown Victoria models. Use recommended nickel-plated platinum spark plugs with the Motorcraft part number AWSF-22FM1 (or equivalent) on Econoline and F-series models and spark plugs with the Motorcraft part number AWSF-22FM (or equivalent) on Crown Victoria models. 16