CAMPAIGN:PISTON KNOCK REPLACE PARTIAL ENGINE
MODELS AFFECTED: 1986 CENTURYS EQUIPPED WITH 2.8L --------------- 2BBL (VIN CODE X) ENGINES PRODUCED AT RAMOS ARIZPE ENGINE PLANT
Some 1986 Centurys equipped with 2.8L 2BBL (RPO LE2) engines produced at the Ramos Arizpe engine plant, may have been assembled with one or more incorrectly machined piston(s). This condition could result in engine knock.
Correction of this condition will consist of inspection for suspect engine production date codes, and if required, replacement of the partial engine assembly.
DEALER ACTION
Whenever a new vehicle subject to this campaign requires replacement of the partial engine assembly, as provided in this bulletin, the following steps must be completed before selling and releasing the vehicle.
1. For new vehicles in dealer inventory, notify prospective purchasers, prior to purchase, that a new partial engine assembly was installed by an authorized dealer at the request of Buick Motor Division.
2. To avoid unnecessary disputes with the customers, and owner dissatisfaction, place the following statement on your sale agreement with the purchaser of a new vehicle on which the services described in this bulletin are performed.
"A new partial engine assembly was installed in this new vehicle by an authorized dealer at the request of Buick Motor Division."
DEALER CAMPAIGN RESPONSIBILITY
Dealers are to perform the services described in this bulletin on all vehicles subject to this campaign at no cost 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 AS INSTRUCTED BEFORE RESELLING OR RELEASING THE VEHICLE.
VEHICLES INVOLVED
Involved are certain 1986 Centurys equipped with 2.8L 2BBL (RPO LE2) engines produced at the Ramos Arizpe engine plant, with the suspect engine production date codes and built within the following vehicle identification number breakpoints:
PLANT FROM THRU ----- ---- ----
Oklahoma City G6.466150 G6473244 Doraville GD471689 GD479831 Terrytown GT482866 GT485431
DEALER MATERIAL
If your dealership has vehicles involved in this campaign, you will receive the following items:
o Listing of all vehicles involved in this Campaign shipped to your dealership.
o One Campaign Identification Label for each vehicle.
Involved vehicles have been identified by Vehicle Identification Number Computer Listings. Computer listings contain the complete Vehicle Identification Number, owner name and address data, and are furnished to the involved dealers with the campaign bulletin. Owner name and address data furnished will enable dealers to follow up, with owners involved in this campaign.
These listings may contain owner names and addresses obtained from State Motor Vehicle Registration Records. The use of such motor vehicle registration data for any other purpose is a violation of law in several states. Accordingly, you are urged to limit the use of this listing to the follow-up necessary to complete this campaign. Any dealer not receiving a computer listing with the campaign bulletin has no involved vehicles currently assigned.
OWNER NOTIFICATION
Customers who have already purchased new vehicles with the suspect engine production date codes will be notified by Buick Motor Division and asked to bring their vehicles to an authorized dealer to have the engine codes checked, and if required, replacement of the partial engine assembly.
CHANGE OF OWNER INFORMATION
Dealers are to use the Dealer Communication System (D.C.S.) to provide Buick Motor Division with subsequent Buick owner information. By reporting a change of owner name or address of a vehicle in campaign status over the D.C.S., the need to send a C.V.A.R. FORM FOR THAT VEHICLE IS ELIMINATED.
Terminal input instructions are covered in the D.C.S. Manual under Section 9, Page 9-J0IA and B.
PARTS INFORMATION
Parts required to complete this correction are to be obtained from General Motors Warehousing and Distribution Division (GMWDD). To ensure these parts will be obtained as soon as possible, they should be ordered from GMWDD on a C.I.O. order with no special instruction code, but on an advise code (2).
PART NUMBER QUANTITY DESCRIPTION ----------- -------- ------------
14089008 1 Partial Engine
Part Number 14089008 consists of block, pistons and rod assemblies, crankshaft, camshaft bearings, connecting rod bearings and crankshaft rear oil seal.
14101336 1 Gasket Kit 10048958 1 Gasket Kit-Cylinder Head 1977935 1 Distributor Gasket 14077876 1 Oil Pan Rear Seal 25010908 1 Oil Filter (From Bulk) 4 Qts. SAE 5W30 Oil (From Bulk) 112 Qts. Engine Coolant 1052439 1 112 Cans Engine Paint 1052917 1 Tube RTV 1052367 1/4 Qt. Lube - EOS 1052080 112 Tube Pipe Sealant
TECHNICAL PROCEDURE
o Some partial engine assemblies may not be painted as received from GMWDD. Paint as required.
o Engine coolant is to be reused. When draining system, be sure to use a clean container to prevent contamination of the coolant.
o Consult the 1986 Buick Chassis Service Manual (Page 6A4-25) for proper fastener torque values.
INSPECTION
1. Inspect engine production code stamped on the horizontally machined surface of the engine block just forward of the intake manifold (See Figure 1). It may be necessary to clean the surface in order to read the code.
2. If the first five (5) characters of the 10 character engine production code (See Figure 20254) are A0605*****, replacement of the partial engine assembly is required.
If the first five (5) characters of the engine production code are anything other than A0605*****, the vehicle is not involved. Install Campaign Identification Label.
PROCEDURE TO REMOVE ENGINE:
1. Disconnect battery.
2. Remove air cleaner.
3. Disconnect accelerator cable.
4. Disconnect T.V. cable.
5. Disconnect cruise cable and remove bracket
6. Drain cooling system. Using a clean container, save coolant for reuse.
7. Disconnect upper radiator hose.
8. Disconnect heater hose at thermostat housing.
9. Disconnect grounds at thermostat housing.
10. Disconnect brake booster vacuum hose.
11. Disconnect necessary vacuum hoses.
12. Disconnect necessary wires at engine (top).
13. Remove thermostat housing stud (to remove crossover).
14. Remove exhaust crossover.
15. Remove alternator belt.
16. Remove AIR pump pulley and belt.
17. Remove A/C belt.
18. Disconnect heater hose at water pump.
19. Remove power steering belt.
20. Disconnect power steering pump at engine.
21. Disconnect wires at A/C compressor and pressure cutoff switch.
22. Disconnect A/C compressor brackets.
23. Disconnect AIR hose at catalytic converter AIR pipe.
24. Disconnect wire harness at rear of right hand head.
25. Disconnect transmission dip stick tube at manifold.
26. Disconnect fuel lines at transmission.
27. Raise vehicle.
28. Remove inner fender splash shield.
29. Remove flywheel cover.
30. Disconnect wires at starter.
31. Remove starter.
32. Remove lower A/C adjusting bracket.
33. Disconnect fuel lines at fuel pump.
34. Disconnect lower radiator hose
35. Disconnect exhaust pipe at manifold.
36. Remove flexplate to torque converter bolts.
37. Remove crank pulley.
38. Disconnect transmission bracket at engine.
39. Remove mount nuts.
40. Disconnect wires at engine (bottom).
41. Lower vehicle.
42. Disconnect strut bracket at radiator support and swing on top of engine.
43. Disconnect grounds and harness bracket at bellhousing studs.
44. Remove bellhousing bolts.
45. Remove hood.
46. Install jack under transmission.
47. Install lift device.
48. Remove engine.
49. Remove flexplate.
50. Mount engine on stand.
PROCEDURE TO DISASSEMBLE OLD ENGINE:
1. Remove carburetor and vacuum hoses.
2. Remove distributor cap and plug wires.
3. Remove AIR pump.
4. Remove alternator and mount bracket.
5. Remove alternator/AIR pump adjusting bracket.
6. Remove AIR management valve, deceleration valve & hoses.
7. Remove fuel pump and push rod.
8. Remove torque strut and bracket.
9. Remove water pump pulley.
10. Remove oil sending unit.
11. Remove solenoids and brackets (EGR, idle speed and carburetor bowl vent).
12. Remove distributor.
13. Remove rocker covers and clean
14. Remove intake manifold & clean
15. Remove push rods.
16. Remove lifters.
17. Remove cylinder heads and clean heads and bolts.
18. Remove water pump.
19. Remove harmonic balancer, front cover, timing chain & gears, and chain guide.
20. Remove camshaft.
21. Drain engine oil.
22. Rotate engine on stand.
23. Remove motor mount and bracket
24. Remove oil pan and pump and clean pan.
PROCEDURE TO ASSEMBLE NEW ENGINE:
1. Mount new short block on stand.
2. Install camshaft.
(1) Coat cam bearings with Part Number 1052367 lube. (2) Coat cam lobes with Part Number 1052367 lube. (3) Coat cam journals with engine oil.
3. Install timing chain and gears, timing chain guide, front cover, and harmonic balancer.
(1) Coat sprocket thrust surface with Molykote. (2) Coat timing chain with engine oil. (3) Coat front cover seal contact area on harmonic balancer with engine oil. (4) Apply sealant to key and keyway.
4. Install water pump.
o Coat bolt threads with pipe sealant Part Number 1052080.
5. Rotate engine on stand.
6. Install oil pump and drive shaft.
7. Install oil pan.
(1) Apply a continuous 3mm (1/8") bead of Part Number 1052917 RTV sealer to oil pan sealing surface of front cover of the oil pan sealing flange.
(2) Replace rear oil pan seal.
8. Install motor mounts and brackets.
9. Install fuel pump and fuel pump push rod.
10. Rotate engine on stand.
11. Install lifters.
o Coat lifters with engine oil.
12. Install cylinder heads.
o Coat cylinder head bolts with Part Number 1052080 sealer.
13. Install push rods and adjust lash.
14. Install intake manifold.
(1) Apply a 5mm (3/16") diameter bead of Part Number 1052917 RTV sealer to front and rear block sealing surfaces.
(2) Place a 3mm (1/8") diameter dot of Part Number 1052917 RTV sealer at the intake manifold and cylinder head split lines.
15. Install rocker covers.
16. Install distributor.
17. Install solenoids and brackets (EGR, idle speed, and carburetor bowl vent).
18. Install oil sending unit.
19. Install water pump pulley.
20. Install torque strut and bracket.
21. Install AIR management valve, decelerator valve, and hoses.
22. Install alternator/AIR pump adjusting bracket.
23. Install alternator and mount bracket.
24. Install AIR pump.
25. Install distributor cap and plug wires.
26. Install carburetor and vaccum hose.
27. Fill engine with oil.
PROCEDURE TO INSTALL NEW ENGINE:
1. Install lift device.
2. Dismount engine from stand.
3. Install flexplate.
4. Install engine in car.
5. Install bellhousing bolts.
6. Connect grounds and harness bracket at bellhousing studs.
7. Connect strut bracket at radiator support.
8. Raise vehicle.
9. Connect wires at engine (bottom).
10. Install mount nuts.
11. Connect transmission bracket at engine.
12. Install crank pulley.
13. Install flexplate to torque converter bolts.
14. Connect exhaust pipe at manifold.
15. Connect lower radiator hose.
16. Connect fuel lines at fuel pump.
17. Install lower A/C adjusting bracket.
18. Install starter.
19. Connect wires at starter.
20. Install flywheel cover.
21. Install inner fender splash shield.
22. Lower vehicle.
23. Connect lines at transmission.
24. Connect transmission dipstick tube at manifold.
25. Connect wire harness at rear of right hand head.
26. Connect AIR hose at Catalytic Converter AIR pipe.
27. Connect A/C compressor to brackets.
28. Connect wires at A/C compressor and pressure cutoff switch.
29. Connect power steering pump at engine.
30. Install power steering belt and adjust.
36. Install thermostat housing stud (to attach crossover).
37. Connect necessary wires at engine (top).
38. Connect necessary vacuum hoses
39. Connect brake booster vacuum hose.
40. Connect grounds at thermostat housing.
41. Connect heater hose at thermostat housing.
42. Connect upper radiator hose housing.
43. Refill cooling system using original coolant. Top off coolant level as required.
44. Connect cruise cable and install bracket.
45. Connect T.V. cable.
CAMPAIGN IDENTIFICATION LABEL
Each vehicle corrected in accordance with the instructions outlined in this Product Campaign Bulletin will require a "Campaign Identification Label." Each label provides a space to include the five digit dealer code of the dealer performing the campaign service. This information may be inserted with a typewriter or ballpoint pen.
Each "Campaign Identification Label" is to be located on the radiator core support in an area which will be visible when the vehicle is brought in for periodic servicing by the owner.
Apply "Campaign Identification Label" only on a clean dry surface.
DISPOSITION OF PARTS
Replaced parts must be held for disposition by Buick contact personnel. Parts must have a claim tag attached showing the repair order and the VIN of the vehicle from which they were removed.
WARRANTY INFORMATION
LIST THE ONE APPLICABLE LABOR OPERATION
SUBLET PART FAILED PARTS FAILURE LABOR LABOR OTHER DEALER OPER. COUNT PART NO. ALLOW. CODE OP NO HOURS HOURS MTL TWG ----- ----- -------- ------ ------- ------ ----- ----- -------
Inspect for involvement, check A0605 engine prefix; No involvement, No further action required.
- - * 96 V3580 .2 ** .1 --
Replace partial engine assembly without A/C or cruise.
16 14089008 * 96 V3581 13.0 ** .1 --
Replace partial engine assembly vehicles with A/C (without cruise)
16 14089008 * 96 V3582 13.5 ** .1 --
Replace partial engine assembly vehicles with cruise (without A/C)
16 14089008 * 96 V3583 13.1 ** .1 --
Replace partial engine assembly vehicles with cruise and A/C
16 14089008 * 96 V3584 13.6 ** .1 --
* List the current dealer price of parts, plus 30%.
** .1 hour for administration.
Dear Buick Owner:
Some 1986 Centurys equipped with 2.8L 2BBL engines may have been produced with one (1) or more incorrectly machined pistons. This condition could result in engine knock.
To prevent the possibility of this condition occurring on your vehicle, a new partial engine assembly will be installed. This service will be performed for you at no charge.
Instructions for this service have been sent to your Buick dealer. Please contact your Buick dealer to arrange a service date. Although the labor time allowance to perform this correction is about thirteen (13) hours, the actual amount of time to correct and process your vehicle may take two days or more. The actual time required depends upon the workload and procedures in your dealer's service department. Please ask your dealer how much time will be necessary.
We are sorry to cause you this inconvenience; however, we have taken this action in the interest of your continued satisfaction with our products.
Buick Motor Division GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION
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.
