VARIOUS DRIVEABILITY CONCERNS, LOUD WHISTLING NOISE. Buick Skylark 1996

SUBJECT: VARIOUS DRIVEABILITY CONCERNS, LOUD WHISTLING NOISE, OR REDUCED FUEL ECONOMY (REMOVE SEAL PATCH, INSTALL RUBBER PLUG AND EXPANDABLE FOAM TAPE)

MODELS: 1996 BUICK SKYLARK 1996 OLDSMOBILE ACHIEVA 1996 PONTIAC GRAND AM

BUILT PRIOR TO MARCH 1, 1996 WITH THE FOLLOWING VIN BREAKPOINTS:

SKYLARK SOP - TC427092

ACHIEVA SOP - TM325533

GRAND AM SOP - TC795469 SOP - TM541727

CONDITION:

SOME OWNERS MAY COMMENT ON VARIOUS DRIVEABILITY CONCERNS SUCH AS A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER, REDUCED ACCELERATION, A LOUD WHISTLING NOISE, REDUCED GAS MILEAGE, TRANSAXLE SHIFT AND/OR "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT COMES ON.

CAUSE:

THE SEAL FOR THE AIR INTAKE DUCT INLET USED TO KEEP WATER FROM ENTERING THE ENGINE MAY FALL OFF LOCATION AND BLOCK THE ENGINE'S INTAKE SNORKEL.

CORRECTION:

REMOVE SEAL PATCH, INSTALL RUBBER PLUG AND EXPANDABLE FOAM SEAL TAPE.

IMPORTANT: SOME VEHICLES MAY HAVE THE EXPANDABLE FOAM SEAL TAPE ALREADY INSTALLED. IF THIS IS THE CASE, DISREGARD STEPS 8 THROUGH 11.

1. REMOVE SPLASH SHIELD ABOVE LH HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY.

2. REMOVE LH HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY.

3. REMOVE LH HEADLAMP SUPPORT ASSEMBLY AND CENTER GRILLE.

4. CHECK TO SEE IF SEAL PATCH IS SECURELY ATTACHED.

5. IF PATCH IS SECURE, GO TO STEP #12.

6. IF PATCH IS LOOSE, REMOVE PATCH (SEE FIGURE 1).

7. INSTALL RUBBER PLUG IN HOLE ABOVE AIR INTAKE SNORKEL (SEE FIGURE 2).

8. LOOSEN FRONT OF LH FENDER.

9. INSTALL EXPANDABLE FOAM SEAL TAPE ON RAIL UNDER FENDER (SEE FIGURE 3).

10. HEAT FOAM SEAL TAPE WITH HEAT GUN TO EXPAND.

11. RE-TIGHTEN LH FENDER.

12. INSTALL LH HEADLAMP SUPPORT ASSEMBLY AND CENTER GRILLE.

13. INSTALL LH HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY.

14. INSTALL SPLASH SHIELD ABOVE LH HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY.

15. AIM HEADLAMP.

PARTS INFORMATION:

P/N 22600316 RUBBER PLUG/EXPANDABLE FOAM TAPE KIT

PARTS ARE EXPECTED TO BE AVAILABLE JUNE 24, 1996.

WARRANTY INFORMATION:

FOR VEHICLES REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY, USE:

LABOR OPERATION NUMBER DESCRIPTION LABOR TIME =============== =========== ==========

J5016 SEAL PATCH, REMOVE; 0.4 HR RUBBER PLUG, INSTALL

ADD: INSTALL EXPANDABLE 0.2 HR FOAM SEAL TAPE

FIGURES: 03 ATTACHMENTS: 00

FIGURE 1: 1. SEAL PATCH 2. TOP FRONT FENDER BOLT 3. FENDER

FIGURE 2: 1. RUBBER PLUG 2. TOP FRONT FENDER BOLT 3. FENDER

FIGURE 3: 1. TOP FRONT FENDER BOLT 2. FENDER 3. TIE BAR 4. EXPANDABLE FOAM SEAL TAPE

Object Number: 108229 Size: FS

Object Number: 108228 Size: FS

Object Number: 108263 Size: LF

GENERAL MOTORS BULLETINS ARE INTENDED FOR USE BY PROFESSIONAL TECHNICIANS, NOT A "DO-IT-YOURSELFER". THEY ARE WRITTEN TO INFORM THOSE TECHNICIANS OF CONDITIONS THAT MAY OCCUR ON SOME VEHICLES, OR TO PROVIDE INFORMATION THAT COULD ASSIST IN THE PROPER SERVICE OF A VEHICLE. PROPERLY TRAINED TECHNICIANS HAVE THE EQUIPMENT, TOOLS, SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS AND KNOW-HOW TO DO A JOB PROPERLY AND SAFELY. IF A CONDITION IS DESCRIBED, DO NOT ASSUME THAT THE BULLETIN APPLIES TO YOUR VEHICLE, OR THAT YOUR VEHICLE WILL HAVE THAT CONDITION. SEE A GENERAL MOTORS DEALER SERVICING YOUR BRAND OF GENERAL MOTORS VEHICLE FOR INFORMATION ON WHETHER YOUR VEHICLE MAY BENEFIT FROM THE INFORMATION.