Service News
	Copyright By FCA Italy S.p.A. - Printed 01/07/2011

FAULT COMPLAINED OF

Presence of cracking among the side trim panels, in the areas shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 1

TECHNICAL CAUSE

Deteriorated sealant and/or insufficient dimension of the bead.

OPERATIONS IN PRODUCTION

The use of sealant with improved features is guaranteed.

IPLEMENTATION OF MODIFICATION

OPERATIONS IN NETWORK

Network behaviour standards towards the Customer

• Once the customer's claimed fault is confirmed, reassure the Customer that it can be solved by restoring the correct sealing conditions and repainting the side.
• After the operation, show the Customer what has been done and make sure he is satisfied.

Service Solution

Once the customer's claimed fault is confirmed, on vehicles with chassis number ranging between 1825872 and 1937597 only, restore the correct sealing conditions, according to the Operating Cycle below.

OPERATION CYCLE

Make sure that the side trim panels are not strained and, if this is the case, straighten the body as required, with reference to Group 72, Panels and bodyshell, of the Service Manual.

• use the vibrating knife with suitable blade and remove the deteriorated sealant bead on the whole length between side trims.
• use the rotary brush to clean any residues of sealant and to remove the anti-corrosion treatment from the areas involved.
• Use the rotary brush and remove the paint.
• remove any residues of dust using compressed air and clean the area of sealant application firstly using a low VOC detergent and then finish off with an anti-static cloth.
• seal the couplings by applying polymer sealant that hardens at ambient temperature (such as 3M 8851 of similar).
• remove any excess sealant from the treated surface.

Repaint the side of the vehicle:

• clean the areas to be painted using a cloth soaked in detergent with a low solvent content (e.g. Glasurit 360-4 or alternative solvents permitted by the regulations in force as for environmental protection).
• suitably mask the areas surrounding the involved area;
• apply the 40-50-micron thick corrosion-preventing double-component epoxy primer (e.g. Glasurit by Basf 801-72 VOC or similar).
• dry the primer with a drier for about 10 minutes at a temperature of 60°C.
• restore the vehicle colour enamel in the overhauled area, using a low temperature product (60°C) dried using an IR lamp for about 15 minutes;

For the use of chemicals closely follow the instructions and warnings on the safety sheet submitted by the supplier to the final user in compliance with the regulations in force in the area (in accordance with Italian Law Decrees 52/97 and 285/98 and subsequent modifications and additions).

CLAIM REPORT DATA

(*) Operation Code and Time allowance for one side of the car, RH or LH, only (single-layer painting).

(**) Operation Code and Time allowance for one side of the car, RH or LH, only (double-layer painting).