CAMPAIGN: SERPENTINE BELT TENSIONER - POSSIBLE REPLACE
MODELS AFFECTED: 1987 BUICK CENTURY MODELS EQUIPPED WITH 2.5L (LR8) ENGINE (VIN CODE R)
General Motors has determined that some 1987 Buick Century models equipped with a 2.5L engine may experience loss of serpentine accessory drive belt tension. This condition results in loss of accessory drive component operation.
To prevent the possibility of this condition occurring, the serpentine belt tensioner must be inspected for suspect codes and, if required, replaced.
VEHICLES INVOLVED
Involved are certain 1987 Buick Century models equipped with a 2.5L engine (VIN Code R) and produced within the following VIN breakpoints:
Plant From Through ----- ---- ------- Doraville HD463600 HD464363 Oklahoma City H6435334 H6438729 Tarrytown HT457075 HT460666
DEALER MATERIAL
If your dealership has vehicles involved in this campaign, you will receive the following items:
- Listing of all vehicles involved in this Campaign shipped to your dealership.
- 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 owners' 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.
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 ta en 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 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 modification according to instructions contained in this bulletin.
OWNER NOTIFICATION
Owners of vehicles involved in this campaign will be notified by Buick Motor Division (see copy of owner letter included with this bulletin).
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-JOlA and B.
PARTS INFORMATION
Parts required to complete this campaign are to be obtained from General Motors Service Parts Operations (GMSPO). To ensure that these parts are obtained as soon as possible, they should be ordered on a C.I.O. order with no special instruction code, but on advise code (2).
Part Number Description Quantity/Vehicle ----------- ----------- ---------------- 10040810 Belt Tensioner 1 - As Required*
* It is estimated that 33% of the vehicles involved will require tensioner replacement. Order parts accordingly, based on attached involved vehicle listing.
SERVICE PROCEDURE
1. Inspect tensioner code located approximately 5 1/4 inches from top mounting bolt hole for the power steering pump.
If code is 187, 197, 817, or 917, replacement is required. Follow replacement instructions below.
If code is NOT one of the suspect codes listed above, replacement is NOT required; proceed to Step 12.
2. Disconnect negative battery cable.
3. Drain engine coolant into a clean container and save for reuse.
4. Rotate serpentine belt tensioner to release belt tension and remove belt.
5. Remove power steering pump mounting bolts.
6. Remove tensioner. New tensioner assembly comes with a seal.
BE SURE TO CLEAN MATING SURFACE ON BLOCK PRIOR TO INSTALLATION.
7. Install new tensioner. Torque bolts to 50 N.m (37 lb. ft.)
8. Reinstall power steering pump. Torque bolts to 27 N.m (20 lb. ft.).
9. Reinstall serpentine belt.
10. With coolant saved in Step 3, refill cooling system to proper level. Top off as required.
11. Reinstall negative battery cable.
12. Install a Campaign Identification Label. Each vehicle modified in accordance with the instruction outlined in this procedure will require a Campaign Identification Label. Each label provides a space to include the campaign number, the five (5) digit dealer code of the dealer performing the campaign service, and the date vehicle was campaigned. This information may be inserted with a typewriter or ballpoint pen. When installing label, clean the surface of the radiator upper mounting panel and apply the campaign label where it is readily visible.
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 Only - Tensioner Replacement Not Required Or Vehicle Previously Repaired. 0 96 V4190 .2 *.l ---
- Inspect Tensioner Code and Replace Tensioner 1 10040810 ** 96 V4191 .7 *.l ---
* Campaign Administrative Allowance
** The "Parts Allowance" should be the sum total of the current GMSPO Dealer Net price, plus 30% of all parts required for repair.
Dear Buick Owner:
This notice has been sent to inform you that Buick Motor Division is initiating a recall campaign that includes your vehicle.
REASON FOR RECALL
General Motors has determined some 1987 Buick Century models equipped with a 2.5L engine may experience loss of serpentine accessory drive belt tension. This condition results in loss of accessory drive component operation (air conditioning, power steering, generator and water pump).
WHAT WE WILL DO
The serpentine belt tensioner will be inspected and, if required, replaced. This service will be performed for you at no charge.
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO
Contact your Buick dealer as soon as possible to arrange a service date. Instructions for this service have been sent to your dealer. The labor time necessary to inspect your vehicle is approximately ten (10) minutes. If tensioner replacement is necessary, approximately forty (40) minutes will be required to service your vehicle. In either case, please allow some additional time for the dealer to process your vehicle.
The enclosed owner reply card identifies your vehicle. Presentation of this card to your dealer will assist in making the necessary correction in the shortest possible time. If you have sold or traded your vehicle, please let us know by completing the postage paid owner reply card and returning it to us so that we may update our records. Should your dealer not schedule a service date within a reasonable time, you should contact the Buick Customer Assistance Department, Flint Home Office by calling 800-521-7300.
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.
