NO POWER, ENGINE MISSES, FAILS TO RUN OR RUNS ROUGH

VEHICLES AFFECTED: 1985-88 3.8 - 1988-89 3800 C,H,E

1985 thru 1988 vehicles equipped with the 3.8L (VIN 3, B) or 1988 and 1989 vehicles equipped with the 3800 (VIN C) engine which exhibit one or more of the following Driveability Symptoms:

Fails to run, Runs Rough, No Power, Miss Under Load, Drops a Cylinder (usually cylinder number 5), No Start, however vehicle does have spark and fuel injector pulses, etc.

Should be inspected for the presence of water in the fuel by removing fuel rail and injectors.

CAUTION:

- TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE AND PERSONAL INJURY, IT IS NECESSARY TO RELIEVE THE FUEL SYSTEM PRESSURE BEFORE SERVICING FUEL SYSTEM COMPONENTS. TO RELIEVE FUEL SYSTEM PRESSURE, THE FOLLOWING STEPS SHOULD BE CARRIED OUT:

1. Disconnect negative battery terminal to avoid possible fuel discharge if an accidental attempt is made to start the engine.

2. Loosen fuel filler cap to relieve tank vapour pressure.

3. Connect fuel pressure gauge J 34730-1 to fuel pressure connection. Wrap a towel around fitting while connecting gauge to avoid spillage.

4. Install bleed hose into an approved container and open valve to bleed system pressure. Fuel connections are now safe for servicing.

5. Drain any fuel remaining in gauge into an approved container.

- AFTER RELIEVING SYSTEM PRESSURE, A SMALL AMOUNT OF FUEL MAY BE RELEASED WHEN SERVICING FUEL LINES OR CONNECTIONS. IN ORDER TO REDUCE THE CHANCE OF PERSONAL - INJURY, COVER FUEL LINE FITTINGS WITH A SHOP TOWEL BEFORE DISCONNECTING, TO CATCH ANY FUEL THAT MAY LEAK OUT. PLACE THE TOWEL IN AN APPROVED CONTAINER WHEN DISCONNECT IS COMPLETED.

Remove fuel injector from the fuel rail and tap the injector inlet end into your cupped hand. If water is present in the fuel system, the system will need to be drained using the system draining procedure outlined below.

SYSTEM DRAINING PROCEDURE:

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable. Also have a dry chemical (Class B) fire extinguisher near the work area.

2. Use a hand operated pump device when possible to drain as much fuel through the filler tube as possible.

3. If a hand operated pump device cannot be used to complete the draining process, use a siphon at the main (not return) fuel pipe from the fuel tank gauge unit.

CAUTION:

NEVER DRAIN OR STORE GASOLINE IN AN OPEN CONTAINER DUE TO THE POSSIBILITY OF FIRE OR EXPLOSION.

4. Support fuel tank and disconnect the two fuel tank retaining straps.

5. Lower tank enough to disconnect sending unit wire, hoses, and ground strap if so equipped.

6. Remove tank from vehicle.

7. Lower fuel tank, R and R fuel sender and drain all foreign material. *

8. R and R in line fuel filter.

9. R and R fuel rail and injectors, R and R injectors from rail and drain.

10. Blow out all fuel lines with regulated shop air.

11. Install new in line fuel filter.

12. Add new fuel to vehicle and road test.

* Replace the fuel tank strainer and sender to tank "O" ring seal any time the tank is opened.

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.