ENGINE OIL LEAK AT REAR OF ENGINE. Buick Park Avenue 1996

SUBJECT: ENGINE OIL LEAK AT REAR OF ENGINE NEAR FLYWHEEL COVER (REPLACE CRANKSHAFT REAR OIL SEAL HOUSING GASKET)

ENGINE VIN CODE MODELS: 1995-97 BUICK PARK AVENUE, RIVIERA (VIN K) 1996-97 BUICK LESABRE, REGAL (VIN K) 1996-97 BUICK PARK AVENUE, RIVIERA (VIN 1) 1997 BUICK REGAL (VIN 1) 1995-97 CHEVROLET CAMARO (VIN K) 1995-96 OLDSMOBILE NINETY EIGHT (VIN K) 1995-97 OLDSMOBILE EIGHTY EIGHT, LSS (VIN K) 1996-97 OLDSMOBILE LSS (VIN 1) 1997 OLDSMOBILE REGENCY (VIN K) 1995-97 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE, FIREBIRD (VIN K) 1996-97 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX (VIN K) 1996-97 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE (VIN 1) 1997 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX (VIN 1) WITH 3800 ENGINE (VIN 1, K - RPO L67, L36)

CONDITION:

SOME OWNERS MAY COMMENT ABOUT AN ENGINE OIL LEAK THAT APPEARS TO ORIGINATE TOWARD THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE; REAR OF ENGINE.

CAUSE:

THE CRANKSHAFT REAR OIL SEAL HOUSING GASKET MAY BE SPLIT.

CORRECTION:

DIAGNOSTICS -

1. INSTALL OIL DYE INTO THE CRANKCASE AND WARM THE ENGINE UP TO OPERATING TEMPERATURE BY DRIVING THE VEHICLE A FEW MILES.

2. RAISE THE VEHICLE ON A HOIST WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING AND INSPECT FOR OIL LEAKS BY USING A BLACK LIGHT.

3. SHUT THE ENGINE OFF AND REMOVE THE FLYWHEEL INSPECTION COVER.

4. USE THE BLACK LIGHT TO CHECK FOR OIL LEAKS IN THE FLYWHEEL AREA. A LEAK IN THIS AREA MAY BE DUE TO A SPLIT GASKET ON THE CRANKSHAFT REAR OIL SEAL HOUSING.

IF THE LEAK APPEARS TO ORIGINATE IN THE FLYWHEEL AREA, THEN REMOVE THE CRANKSHAFT REAR OIL SEAL HOUSING AND INSTALL A NEW GASKET AND A NEW CRANKSHAFT REAR OIL SEAL. FOLLOW THE PROCEDURE OUTLINED IN THE SERVICE MANUAL.

IMPORTANT: DO NOT USE ANY TYPE OF ADHESIVE ON THE HOUSING GASKET WHEN REINSTALLING. THE PLASTIC INSERTS IN THE HOUSING ARE A MANUFACTURING ASSEMBLY AID AND ARE NOT REQUIRED FOR SERVICE.

PARTS INFORMATION:

FLUORESCENT TRACER DYE, GAS ENGINE OIL (1OZ.) 12345795 GASKET - CRANKSHAFT REAR OIL SEAL HOUSING 24507388 SEAL - CRANKSHAFT REAR OIL (LIP SEAL) 25534760

WARRANTY INFORMATION:

LABOR OPERATION DESCRIPTION TIME J1080 HOUSING, CRANKSHAFT REAR USE PUBLISHED OIL SEAL - REPLACE LABOR TIMES

FIGURES: 0 ATTACHMENTS: 0

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.

ENGINE OIL LEAK AT REAR OF ENGINE