WATER LEAKS FROM DOORS INTO PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. Buick LeSabre 1994

REVISION: 03/18/94

THIS BULLETIN IS BEING REVISED TO REMOVE A PART NUMBER.

SUBJECT: WATER LEAK FROM DOORS INTO PASSENGER COMPARTMENT (DIAGNOSE/APPLY SEALANT OR REPLACE DEFLECTOR)

MODELS: 1991-94 BUICK PARK AVENUE 1992-94 BUICK LESABRE 1991-94 OLDSMOBILE NINETY EIGHT 1992-94 OLDSMOBILE EIGHTY EIGHT 1992-94 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE

CONDITION:

SOME OWNERS MAY COMMENT ON WATER LEAKAGE FROM THE DOOR INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT AREA.

CORRECTION:

DIAGNOSE - WATER LEAK DETECTION AND LOCATION:

1. UNCLIP BOTTOM OF CENTER PILLAR TRIM AND REMOVE SILL PLATE.

2. PULL BACK CARPET:

A.) FOR FRONT DOOR LEAK, REMOVE FRONT KICK SHROUD. B.) FOR REAR DOOR LEAK, REMOVE REAR SEAT.

3. VEHICLE MUST BE SOAKED IN A "CAR WASH" TYPE WATER SPRAY FOR A MINIMUM OF EIGHT MINUTES.

4. TECHNICIAN INSIDE OF VEHICLE, DURING SOAKING, SHOULD USE A FLASHLIGHT TO INSPECT LEAKING DOOR. CHECK PRIMARY SEAL BULB FOR LEAKAGE (DURING TEST).

IF THERE IS NO WATER ON TOP OF THE PRIMARY SEAL BULB, THEN: (THERE IS WATER BELOW THE PRIMARY SEAL BULB - EXITING PRIMARY SEAL CARRIER TO FLOOR PAN.)

1. CHECK FOR WATER EXITING PRIMARY SEAL CARRIER TO FLOOR PAN:

A.) AT FRONT DOOR - LOWER PILLAR AT AND ALONG ROCKER PANEL. B.) AT REAR DOOR - ROCKER PANEL AND BASE OF WHEEL WELL.

TO REPAIR:

FRONT DOORS -

1. REMOVE THE CENTER PILLAR TRIM FINISH PANEL.

2. GENTLY REMOVE PRIMARY WEATHERSTRIP FROM UPPER DOOR OPENING FLANGE.

3. APPLY BUTYL SEALANT TO FRONT DOOR OPENING FLANGE STARTING AT THE TOP OF THE CENTER PILLAR (FIGURE 1). RUN BUTYL FORWARD ALONG TOP OF DOOR OPENING AND DOWN FRONT OF OPENING TO APPROXIMATELY 10 INCHES FROM BOTTOM OF DOOR OPENING.

4. RE-INSTALL PRIMARY WEATHERSTRIP SEAL TO DOOR OPENING FLANGE. ENSURE THAT SEAL IS FULLY SEATED ON FLANGE.

5. RE-INSTALL THE HINGE PILLAR TRIM FINISH PANEL.

6. RE-INSTALL THE CENTER PILLAR FLOOR CARPET RETAINER ASSEMBLY.

7. RE-INSTALL THE CENTER PILLAR FINISH PANEL ASSEMBLY.

REAR DOORS -

1. APPLY BUTYL SEALANT TO REAR DOOR OPENING FLANGE STARTING AT TOP OF CENTER PILLAR. RUN BUTYL REARWARD ALONG TOP OF DOOR OPENING AND DOWN REAR OF OPENING. TERMINATE BUTYL APPROXIMATELY 4 INCHES ABOVE STRIKER.

RETEST AFTER REPAIR.

IF THERE IS WATER ON TOP OF THE PRIMARY SEAL BULB, THEN: (FIGURE 2):

1. REMOVE THE INTERIOR DOOR TRIM PANEL AS OUTLINED IN THE APPROPRIATE SERVICE MANUAL.

2. REPOSITION THE WATER DEFLECTOR TO REMOVE ALL WRINKLES. ADD A CLEAR POLYETHYLENE TAPE TO ASSURE THE WATER DEFLECTOR IS PROPERLY ATTACHED TO THE DOOR. THE WATER DEFLECTOR MUST BE PROPERLY INSTALLED TO THE DOOR OR WATER LEAKS WILL PERSIST.

3. IF THE WATER LEAK PERSISTS, ADD THE NEW SUPPLEMENTAL WATER DEFLECTOR, P/N 25619809 FOR THE FRONT DOOR, AND P/N 25619810 FOR THE REAR DOOR. THESE DEFLECTORS ATTACH TO THE BOTTOM THREE DOOR TRIM FASTENERS. WHEN IT BECOMES NECESSARY TO INSTALL A DEFLECTOR ON ONE DOOR, INSTALL DEFLECTORS ON ALL FOUR DOORS.

NOTE: IF DOOR ALREADY HAS SUPPLEMENTAL WATER DEFLECTOR, RESET BOTH PRIMARY AND SUPPLEMENTAL WATER DEFLECTORS.

RETEST FOR LEAK AFTER REPAIR.

PARTS ARE CURRENTLY AVAILABLE FROM GMSPO.

WARRANTY INFORMATION:

FOR VEHICLES REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY, USE:

LABOR OPERATION NUMBER: T3456 LABOR TIME: .6 (INSPECT/DIAGNOSE) ADD: .1 (APPLY BUTYL SEALANT, PER DOOR) ADD: .5 (INSPECT/INSTALL DEFLECTOR, FIRST DOOR) ADD: .3 (INSTALL DEFLECTOR, PER DOOR ON REMAINING 3 DOORS) ADD: .4 (RETEST AFTER REPAIR)

FIGURES: 2

Object Number: 83017 Size: FS

Object Number: 83016 Size: FS

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.