CAMPAIGN: RESTRICTED CATALYTIC CONVERTER REPLACEMENT
MODELS: 1983 Olds. and Buick W/LV2 5.OL V-8 Gasoline Engines and NBl (VIN Code Y)
T0: ALL AFFECTED DEALERS:
CONDITION:
--------- General Motors of Canada has determined that some 1983 Oldsmobile Toronado, Ninety-Eight, Delta 88, Cutlass Supreme and Custom Cruiser; Buick Lesabre, Electra and Riviera models equipped with an L 5.0L V-8 gasoline engine may develop a restricted exhaust due to the catalytic converter becoming plugged. To correct this condition on vehicles involved, the catalytic converter will require replacement, unless the catalytic converter has already been replaced by a new basketed converter or a converter kit part no. listed in this bulletin.
VEHICLES INVOLVED:
Involved are certain 1983 Oldsmobile Toronado, Ninety-Eight, Delta 88, Cutlams, Supreme and Custom Cruiser; Buick LeSabre, Electra, and Riviera models equipped with an LV2 5.OL V-8 gasoline engine (VIN Code Y) and falling within the following VIN breakpoints: MODEL PLANT FROM TO
Model Plant From To ----- ----- ---- -- OLDSMOBILE ---------- Toronado E SOP DE325201 Ninety-Eight M SOP DM857251 Delta 88 M SOP DM857251 X SOP DX342010
Custom Cruiser M SOP DM460478 Cutlass Supreme 2 SOP D2321747
BUICK
Riviera E SOP DE431457 Electra Estate Wagon X SOP DX453436 LeSabre Estate Wagon LeSabre H SOP DH479299
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 RESPONSIBILIY:
Dealers are to service all vehicles subject to this Campaign at no charge to owners, regardleas 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 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 handiing 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:
Parts required should be ordered from the Parts Department through regular channels.
Description Usage Part Number ----------- ----- -----------
Converter with Upper Beads 1983 5.0L 25057007 (Includes Fill Hole Plug)
Lower Bed Bead Package* 5.0L 25056895 (If Needed To fill Converter)
Converter Front Exhaust Clamp 5.0L 1259609 (If Needed) * DSM Authorization Required
SPECIAL TOOLS:
A. Converter Bead Replacement Tool Kit
Tool Kit P/N J-34255 will be available through the Zone Office. The kit consists of:
J-34155-1 Sifting Pan (Qty.1) J-34155-2 Storage Pans (Qty.2) J-34155-3 Funnel (Qty. 1)
B. Converter Plug Installer
These tools had previously been used for 3R16 and 4R13.
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 terminal transmission in accordance with the following:
Repair Code Operation Time Allowance ----------- --------- -------------- 1A Inspection Only .3 2A Replace Catalytic 1.0 Converter
Time allowance includes 0.1 hour for Dealer administrative detail associated with this campaign. Parts credit will be based on dealer net plus 30% to cover parts handling.
If lower bed bead package is required, it should be processed as an "add-credit" by the DSM.
SERVICE PROCEDURE
1. Install seat and fender covers and raise the vehicle on a hoist. Inspection: the converter need not be replaced if it is the new type basketed converter assembly, part number 25056622, or the converter kit part number listed in this bulletin. The part numbers are stamped on the bottom of the inboard flange near the converter inlet. Refer to Figure 1. If replacement of the converter is not required, install campaign label.
2. If the converter is of the original type, remove both converter clamps and brackets.
3. Remove the A.I.R. clamp and pipe.
4. Remove the converter (using a torch to heat the joints).
CAUTION:
The catalytic converter beads contain platinum, palladium and/or rhodium. Additionally, the beads may be finely coated with lead compounds. Therefore, precautions should be taken to minimize dust generation during the replacement procedure. These precautions include:
A. Catalyst dust should be controlled by wetting with water prior to bead removal as described in Step 5.
B. The use of a suitable dust mask, rubber gloves and safety glasses is recommended when handling catalyst beads.
C. Allow corverter to cool before handling.
5. Stand the old converter upright on the inlet end and pour 16 oz. of water into the outlet end to control catalyst dust.
6. Using a hammer and chisel, remove the fill hole plug from the lower bed. (The smooth side of the converter is the lower bed side.) see Figures 1 and 2.
7. Hold the converter over a clear pad (J-34155-2) and empty the catalyst beads by shaking. It may be necessary to tap the converter belt flange with a hammer to loosen the beads.
8. Pour the beads into a shifting pan (J-34155-1) and sift to remove under sized beads.
9. Prop the new converter up at a 45 degree angle with the lower bed fill hole at the top.
10. Using funnel J-34155-3 pour the sifted beads into the lower bed of the new converter. If additional beads are required to completely fill the lower bed, it will be necessary to obtain a lower bed bead kit from the Parts Department. Excess beads from the kit should be saved in a clean container for future use.
11. Lay the converter down on a flat surface with the lower bed fill hole on top. Figure 2.
12. Insert the fill plug into the lower bed fill hole. The fill plug outer rim must rest against the converter body.
13. Insert the plug installer tool (J-34118) into the fill plug and tighten to a torque of 57 N.m (35 lbs. ft.). Figure 3.
14. Install the converter on the vehicle by reversing steps 1 through 4 of this procedure.
NOTE: TOOLS REQUIRED TO COMPLETE THIS MODIFICATION HAVE ALREADY BEEN MADE AVAILABLE FOR 3R16 and 4R13. ASK YOUR DSM.
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:
General Motors of Canada has determined that certain 1983 Oldsmobile Toronado, Ninety-Eight, Delta 88, Custom Cruiser and Cutlass Supreme, and some Buick LeSabre, Electra and Riviera models equipped with a 5.0L V-8 gasoline engine may develop a restricted catalytic converter resulting a poor engine performance or a no start condition.
To prevent the possibility of this condition occurring, it will be necessary to repace the catalytic converter on your vehicle .
If have recently had your catalytic converter replaced with a new type catalytic converter assembly or catalytic converter kit, you need not have the converter replaced.
Please contact your GM Dealer to arrange a service date to have this modification performed. The labour time required to perform this modification is approximately one hour. Please allow additional time for the Dealer to process your vehicle.
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.
