1997 Ford B700 problems
The Ford B series is a bus chassis that was manufactured by the Ford Motor Company. Produced across six generations from 1948 to 1998, the B series was a variant of the medium-duty Ford F series. As a cowled-chassis design, the B series was a bare chassis aft of the firewall, intended for bodywork from a second-stage manufacturer. While primarily used for school bus applications in the United States and Canada, the chassis was exported worldwide to manufacturers to construct bus bodies for various uses.
Prior to 1969, Lincoln-Mercury dealers in Canada marketed the B series as part of the Mercury M-series truck line. At the time, rural Canadian communities were serviced by either a Ford or a Lincoln-Mercury dealer network, but not both networks concurrently.
Coinciding with the late 1996 sale of the Louisville/AeroMax heavy-truck line to Sterling Trucks, Ford phased out the medium-duty F series and the B series following the 1998 model year. For 2000, Ford re-entered the medium-duty segment with the F-650/F-750 Super Duty. As of the 2019 model year, Ford has not developed a cowled-chassis derivative of the F series, instead concentrating on cutaway chassis vehicles. In the cowled-chassis segment, the role and market share of the B series was largely superseded by the Blue Bird Vision (introduced in late 2000's).
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Common 1997 Ford B700 problems
The Ford B700 from 1997 is known for several common problems, which have been reported by owners of this car. Here is a list of these problems in detail:
- Fading Stop Arm: The folding stop arm on the left side of the bus had faded from red to light pink, making the STOP legend hard to read. This was a common problem with the Ford B700s, and it was necessary to replace the stop arm to ensure the safety of the students. The district went back to Internationals for their next batch of buses after the Ford B700s due to this issue.
- Engine Noise: The Ford B700s were known for their unique engine noise, which was a result of the engine's design and construction. The engine noise was not a problem per se, but it was a characteristic of the Ford B700s that some owners found annoying. The engine noise was more noticeable in certain gears and at certain speeds, and it was a common complaint among Ford B700 owners.
- Gas vs. Diesel: Another common problem with the Ford B700s was the choice between gas and diesel engines. Some owners preferred diesel engines for their longevity and fuel efficiency, while others preferred gas engines for their ease of maintenance and lower upfront cost. This was a subjective issue, and the choice between gas and diesel engines depended on the owner's preferences and needs.
- Block Heater: The Ford B700s were equipped with a block heater, which was used to heat the engine block before starting the engine. This was especially useful in cold weather, as it helped to reduce engine wear and tear. However, some owners reported problems with the block heater, such as poor performance and high energy consumption. This was a common problem with the Ford B700s, and it was necessary to replace the block heater to ensure the engine's performance and longevity.
In summary, the Ford B700s were known for several common problems, such as the Exterior Light MOnitor (ELMO), fading stop arm, engine noise, gas vs. diesel, and block heater. These problems were reported by owners of this car and were a subject of discussion in various forums and online communities. However, despite these problems, the Ford B700s were popular among school districts and bus companies for their durability, reliability, and safety features.
1997 Ford B700 complaints
The NHTSA has received 0 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1997 Ford B700.
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Additional sources
More sources of information about 1997 Ford B700 problems:
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Jun 19, 2019 ... ... problems, hard to service, and even harder to find parts for, let alone find a shop that will touch them. My previous Ford B-700 bled down ...
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