Publications
Partners
DETROIT, Michigan – It’s the second time in three years Mazda North America has had to recall thousands of cars to clean out spider webs that are putting excessive pressure in its cars’ fuel tanks.
The Detroit News reports that the Japanese automaker said on April 4 it would be recalling 42 000 2.5-litre Mazda6 units assembled through 2010 to 2012 based on a report to the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
ALONG CAME A SPIDER...
There’s an old Ethopian proverb: “When spiders unite, they can tie down a lion”, so it’s no surprise the arachnids are causing pressure problems in fuel tanks. Thank goodness, then, that Mazda SA says all local Mazda6 units in the clear.
Mazda said: “Dealers will re-program the power train control module and inspect and clean the canister vent line. If a web is found in the line the fuel tank and vent check valve will be replaced.”
In December 2013 the automaker confirmed nine incidents linked to spider webs.
The automaker added: "All nine cases occurred on vehicles that had only a spring to prevent arachnid intrusion. There were no defects on the vehicles which had the revised power control module software to minimise negative pressure in the fuel tank.”
WASHING THE SPIDERS OUT?
In 2011, Mazda recalled 52 000 Mazda6 units built at its Auto Alliance plant in Flat Rock, Michigan, from September 2009 to May 2011 over concerns the “fuel tank could crack and leak because of spider webs”.
At that time, according to the Detroit News, the automaker said it found a spider web when it reviewed a complaint in October 2009. Mazda then included a "spring to prohibit spider intrusion" and the computer was re-programmed to prevent a build-up of pressure in the emission control system.
Mazda said: “In February 2014 we came to the conclusion that a certain level of effect by the spring was recognised, however, some kind of spider could possibly intrude even with the expanding spring.
“Furthermore, we confirmed that the software change to control the tank pressure was effective to avoid the possibility of the tank cracking, even under such a severe condition as the canister vent line is clogged by a spider web.”
Mazda told NHTSA that "a certain type of spider may weave a web in the evaporative canister vent line".
"That could lead to pressure in the emissions control system that could stress the fuel tank and lead to a crack."
Read the original story from The Detroit News.
The Detroit News reports that the Japanese automaker said on April 4 it would be recalling 42 000 2.5-litre Mazda6 units assembled through 2010 to 2012 based on a report to the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
ALONG CAME A SPIDER...
There’s an old Ethopian proverb: “When spiders unite, they can tie down a lion”, so it’s no surprise the arachnids are causing pressure problems in fuel tanks. Thank goodness, then, that Mazda SA says all local Mazda6 units in the clear.
Mazda said: “Dealers will re-program the power train control module and inspect and clean the canister vent line. If a web is found in the line the fuel tank and vent check valve will be replaced.”
In December 2013 the automaker confirmed nine incidents linked to spider webs.
The automaker added: "All nine cases occurred on vehicles that had only a spring to prevent arachnid intrusion. There were no defects on the vehicles which had the revised power control module software to minimise negative pressure in the fuel tank.”
WASHING THE SPIDERS OUT?
In 2011, Mazda recalled 52 000 Mazda6 units built at its Auto Alliance plant in Flat Rock, Michigan, from September 2009 to May 2011 over concerns the “fuel tank could crack and leak because of spider webs”.
At that time, according to the Detroit News, the automaker said it found a spider web when it reviewed a complaint in October 2009. Mazda then included a "spring to prohibit spider intrusion" and the computer was re-programmed to prevent a build-up of pressure in the emission control system.
Mazda said: “In February 2014 we came to the conclusion that a certain level of effect by the spring was recognised, however, some kind of spider could possibly intrude even with the expanding spring.
“Furthermore, we confirmed that the software change to control the tank pressure was effective to avoid the possibility of the tank cracking, even under such a severe condition as the canister vent line is clogged by a spider web.”
Mazda told NHTSA that "a certain type of spider may weave a web in the evaporative canister vent line".
"That could lead to pressure in the emissions control system that could stress the fuel tank and lead to a crack."
Read the original story from The Detroit News.
