CAMPAIGN: INCORRECT TRANSAXLE DIPSTICK READING - 440T4

MODELS: All 1984 and Early Production 1985 Century and Ciera Models Equipped With 3.8L MFI

TO: ALL AFFECTED DEALERS: Engines and 440-4T Transaxles

DEFECT INVOLVED:

General Motors of Canada has determined that all 1984 and some early production 1985 Century and Clera models equipped with 3.8L engines and 440-4T transaxles were assembled with oil filler tube and dipstick combinations which give an incorrect oil level reading. The transaxles on these vehicles were properlyy filled at the time of manufacture as the dipsticks are not used by the assembly plants to determine the oil level.

If a Dealer or service facility should accurately check and adjust the transaxle fluld level according to the dipstick reading on one of these vehicles, the transaxle would be approximately two (2) pints low of fluid. This low fluid level could result in transaxle slippage in cold weather and during certain maneuvers, resulting in damage to the transaxle.

To prevent the possibility of this condition occuiring on vehicles involved, the original transaxle dipstick is to be replaced with a new correct reading dipstick part number 25527122. refer to illustration to identify the old and new dipsticks.

Since dipsticks can be installed very easily, and because we do not want to cause owners unnecessary inconvenience, the new dipsticks have been furnished directly to affected owners. Owners may install them personally or they may request Dealer assistance for installation. This service is to be done at "NO CHARGE" to owners.

If your Dealership has vehicles involved in this campaign, you will receive a VIN listing of vehicles, and a transaxle dipstick for each vehicle for which we have no owner of record. If a vehicle has been recently delivered, and the owner's name is not on your VIN listing, please contact the owner to have the dipstick changed. It is your responsibility to see that the dipsticks are changed on these vehicles.

VEHICLES INVOLVED

A 1984 Century and Ciera modele equipped with 3.8L MFI engines and 440-4T transaxles.

1985 Century and Ciera models equipped with 3.8L MFI engines and 440-4T transaxles with the following serial numbers:

BUICK

Assembly Plant From Through & Including --------------- ---- -------------------- Doraville sop FD439398 oklabona city soe F6477151 Tarrytown sor FT416140

Olds Assembly Plant From Through & Including -------------- ---- ------------------- Doraville sop FD407657 Framinghan sop FC365201 Oshawa sop F9300025

Vehicles listed above are to have the new transxle dipstick, part number 25527122, installed (by owner or dealer). Some 1985 models with 3.8L MFI engines and 440-4T transaxles which have VIN's higher than those listed, were assembled with an interim dipstick, part number 25519030B, which are the same length and design as the new part. Do not replace these dipsticks. Refer to illustration.

All affected vehicles have been identified by the VIN listing provided to involved Dealers with this bulletin. Any Dealer not receiving a listing was not shipped any of the affected vehicles.

DEALER CAMPAIGN RESPONSIBILITY:

Dealers are to service all vehicles subject to this campaign at no charge to owners, regardless of mileage, age of vehicle, or ownership, from this time forward.

Whenever a vehicle subject to this campaign is taken into your new or used vehicle inventory, or it is in your Dealership for service in the future, you should take the steps necessary to be sure the campaign correction has been made before reselling or releasing the vehicle.

Owners of vehicles recently sold from your new vehicle inventory are to be contacted by the Dealer, and arrangements made to make the required a modification according to instructions contained in this bulletin.

CAMPAIGN PROCEDURE:

Refer to Section 4 of the Service Policies and Procedures Manual for the detailed procedure on handling Product Campaigns. Dealers are requested to complete the campaign on all transfers as soon as possible.

OWNER NOTIFICATION:

All owners of record at the time of campaign release are shown on the attached computer listing and have been notified by first class mail from General Motors. The listings provided are for campaign activity only and should not be used for any other purpose.

PARTS INFORMATION:

The new dipsticks are to be sent to all owners of record along with their owners letters. For vehicles that have not been reported sold, the dipsticks will be sent to the Dealers. Owners have been instructed to either install the dipstick themselves or bring their vehicles in for dipstick replacement by their Dealers.

PARTS AND LABOUR CLAIM INFORMATION.

Credit for the campaign work performed will be paid upon receipt of a properly completed campaign claim card or RAPID terainal tranamission in accordance with the following:

Repair Code Operation Time Allowance ----------- --------- -------------- 2A Replaces dipstick .3

Time allowance includes 0.1 hour for Dealer administrative detail associated with this campaign.

INSTALLATION OF CAMPAIGN IDENTIFICATION LABEL

Clean surface of radiator upper mounting panel and apply a Campaign Identification Label. Make sure the correct campaign number is inserted on the label. This will indicate that the campaign has been completed.

Dear General Motors customer:

This notice is sent to you in accordance with the requirements of the Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Act.

General Motors of Canada has determined that all i984 and some early production 1985 Century and Ciera models equipped with 3.8L engines and 440-4T transaxles were assembled with oil filler and dipstick combinations which give an incorrect oil level reading. The transaxles on these vehicles were properly filled at the time of manufacture as the dipsticks are not used by the assembly plants to determine the oil level. If a Dealer or service facility should accurately check and then adjust the transxle oil level according to the dipstick reading, the transaxle would be approximately two (2) pints low of oil. This low level could result in transaxle slippage in cold weather and during certain maneuvers, resulting in damage to the transaxle.

To prevent the possibility of this occurring on your vehicle, the original transaxle dipstick is to be replaced with a new correct reading dipstick.

The new dipstick has been forwarded under separate cover. Rather than asking you to return to your Dealer, it is believed you might wish to install the new dipstick yourself. Just withdraw the o!d one, dispose of it, and install the new one in its place. Refer to illustration attached for identification and location of dipstick. Naturally, if you wish to return your vehicle to your Dealer for this change, they will be pleased to assist at no charge to you.

This letter identifies your vehicle. Presentation of this letter to your Dealer will assist their Service personnel in completing the necessary correction to your vehicle in the shortest possible time.

Further assistance, if required, may be obtained from the General Motors Zone Office nearest you. Your vehicle Owner's Manual provides the location and phone number of each respective Zone Office.

We are sorry to cause you this inconvenience; however, we have taken the action in the interest of your continued satisfaction with our products.

Your prompt cooperation would be appreciated.

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.