An oil pump defect has led to a recall of passenger vehicles in China by a Ford joint venture, while a flaw in an engine casing that could lead to a dangerous oil leak has resulted in a motorcycle recall by Kawasaki in the United States.
Changan Ford Mazda Automobile Co. is recalling 11,112 Volvo S40 sedans because of a faulty oil pump pipe. Chinas General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine made the announcement Thursday on its web site and began the recall Friday.
A loosening of joints in the oil pump pipe may result in oil leakage, the agency said. The recall affects Volvo S40s made in China between Dec. 1, 2006, and Oct. 9, 2008.
Meanwhile, risk of crashes from engine oil leaking onto the rear tire led Kawaski to recall 259 model year 2009 and 2010 motorcycles in the U.S. beginning Dec. 8.
A small number of upper engine cases for the affected model could have porosity in the aluminum casing, Kawasaki said in a Nov. 24 letter to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. This porosity occurs in the vicinity of a pressurized oil passage just above the transmission output shaft.
The company said repair will consist of inspection by pressurizing the crankcase with air, and checking for leaks in the vicinity of the suspected porosity. Units evidencing signs of leakage will be repaired by application of a special sealant epoxy, Kawasaki stated. It will advise owners they may seek reimbursement of repair costs if they previously paid for repair of the problem.