1995 Neoplan AN440

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TRANSIT COACHES EQUIPPED WITH CUMMINS L-10 ENGINES AND NELSON CATALYSTS AND SOLD TO LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA TRANSIT AUTHORITY. THE CATALYST CAN EXPERIENCE HIGH TEMPERATURES, WHICH COULD BE CAUSED FROM UNBURNED METHANE IGNITING INSIDE THE CATALYST BRICK.

RiskTHIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN EXTREME OVERHEATING OF THE CATALYST AND COULD CAUSE IGNITION OF SURROUNDING COMBUSTIBLES IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE CATALYST.

FixDEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES FOR PROPER INSTALLATION AND POSITIONING; INCREASE THE SIZE OF THE FIBERGLASS HOLE SURROUNDING THE TAIL PIPE, REMOVE A RUBBER AIR INLET BOOT THAT WAS TOO CLOSE TO THE CATALYST; REPLACE THE FLEX PIPE IN THE EXHAUST SYSTEM; AND ADD A BLANKET AROUND THE CATALYST TO PROVIDE ADDED INSULATION.

THESE BUSES ARE EQUIPPED WITH COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS FUEL TANKS SUPPLIED BY EDO CANADA. THE FUEL CYLINDER STRAPS EXPAND WHEN TANKS ARE PRESSURIZED CAUSING BRACKETS TO BREAK THE MOUNTING HARDWARE.

RiskTHIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE CYLINDER TO FALL INCREASING THE RISK OF EXPLOSION OR FIRE.

FixA NEW STRAP WITH ELASTOMERIC SPRINGS THAT WILL ALLOW THE STRAP TO EXPAND WITH THE TANK HAS BEEN DESIGNED AND WILL BE INSTALLED ON THESE BUSES.

THE TYPE 4 COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS (CNG) FUEL TANK SUPPLIED BY EDO CANADA CAN RUPTURE DURING FUELING.

RiskRUPTURE OF A CNG FUEL TANK CAN CAUSE CNG LEAKAGE INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE OR EXPLOSION.

FixEACH TANK IS BEING VISUALLY INSPECTED, ASSISTED BY DYE PENETRANT AND RESONANCE TESTED. A DETECTION SHIELD IS PLACED UNDER EACH PAIR OF TANKS, UNDER THE BUS, TO PROVIDE EASE OF INSPECTION FOR ANY DAMAGE. ANY DAMAGED TANK WILL BE REPLACED.

SOME TEMPERATURE SENSITIVE TRIGGERS WERE NOT X-RAYED. THESE TRIGGERS COULD CONTAIN INTERNAL VOIDS THAT WOULD MAKE THE TRIGGERS SUSCEPTIBLE TO ADVANCED CREEP CAUSING FALSE ACTIVATION AND VENTING OF THE CNG.

RiskVENTING OF THE CNG COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

FixNEOPLAN WILL REPLACE THE PRD WITH THE NEWER DESIGN "GENERATION 2.5" PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICE.