CAMPAIGN: POTENTIAL MACHINING METAL CHIPS IN ENGINE
SUBJECT: POTENTIAL MACHINING METAL CHIPS IN ENGINE -----------------------------------------
U.S. Campaign Number Cross Reference: 96-C-37
MODELS: 1996 Chevrolet Blazers and GMC Jimmys Equipped with 4.3L Engine (L35) --------------------------------------------------------------------- Built at Moraine Assembly Plant -------------------------------
TO: ALL GENERAL MOTORS DEALERS
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General Motors of Canada Limited has decided that certain 1996 Chevrolet Blazer and GMC Jimmy model vehicles equipped with 4.3L engine (L35), built at the Moraine Assembly plant, may exhibit a condition in which an excessive amount of metal machining chips in the engine may cause degradation of the main bearings, resulting in bearing failures.
To correct this condition, dealers are to run an engine operation road test to determine whether excessive machining chips exist and replace the engine, if necessary, on vehicles in dealer inventory only.
VEHICLES INVOLVED:
NOTICE: It is anticipated that approximately five (5) percent of involved units will require engine replacement. Please follow the inspection procedure before notifying the Romulus Engine Plant that a replacement engine is required.
Involved are certain 1996 Chevrolet Blazer and GMC Jimmy model vehicles equipped with 4.3L engine (L35) and built within the following VIN breakpoints:
Year Model Plant Plant Code From Through ---- ---------------- ------- ---------- -------- -------- 1996 GMC Jimmy Moraine "2" T2567772 T2569919 1996 Chevrolet Blazer Moraine "2" T2283888 T2289017
NOTE: PLEASE CHECK DCS SCREEN 445 OR YOUR V.I.N. LISTING BEFORE PERFORMING CAMPAIGN TO ENSURE THAT THE VEHICLE IS AFFECTED. ONLY AFFECTED VIN'S WILL BE PAID.
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 RESPONSIBILITY:
All unsold new vehicles in dealer's possession and subject to this campaign must be held and inspected/repaired per the Service Procedure of this Campaign Bulletin before owners take possession of these vehicles.
Dealers are to perform this campaign on all involved vehicles at no charge to owners, regardless of kilometres traveled, age of vehicle, or ownership, from this time forward.
Owners of vehicles recently sold from your new vehicle inventory with no owner information indicated on the dealer listing, are to be contacted by the dealer, and arrangements made to make the required correction according to instructions contained in this bulletin. This could be done by mailing to such owners a copy of the owner letter accompanying this bulletin. Campaign follow-up cards should not be used for this purpose, since the owner may not as yet have received the notification letter.
In summary, whenever a vehicle subject to this campaign is taken into your new or used vehicle inventory, or is in your dealership for service in the future, please take the steps necessary to be sure the campaign correction has been made before selling or releasing the vehicle.
CAMPAIGN PROCEDURE:
Refer to Section 4 of the Service Policies and Procedures Manual for the detailed procedure on handling Product Campaigns. Dealers are requested to complete the campaign on all transfers as soon as possible.
OWNER NOTIFICATION:
Owners who have already taken delivery of an involved unit will not be notified since operating the vehicle completes the testing operation.
PARTS INFORMATION:
Part Number Description Quantity/Vehicle ----------- ------------ ---------------- N/A 4.3L Engine 1
Engines required for this campaign are to be obtained at no charge directly from the Romulus Engine Plant by calling 1-800-844-1082. Removed engine assemblies are to be returned to the Romulus Engine Plant following the return procedure outlined in the Service Bulletin 576131. Failure to return the concerned engine will result in the dealership being billed the dealer net cost of the exchanged engine. DO NOT ORDER REPLACEMENT ENGINE FROM GMSPO.
NOTICE: It is anticipated that approximately five (5) percent of involved units will require engine replacement. Please follow the inspection procedure before notifying the Romulus Engine Plant that a replacement engine is required.
PARTS AND LABOUR CLAIM INFORMATION:
Credit for the campaign work performed will be paid upon receipt of a properly completed campaign claim card or DCS transmission in accordance with the following:
Repair Code Description Time Allowance ----------- ------------------------------------ -------------- 2A Inspection Test Only 0.7
3A Inspection and Engine Replacement - 8.1 S 2WD w/Automatic Transmission (Inc. A/C)
4A Inspection and Engine Replacement - 9.7 T 4WD/All Wheel Drive w/Automatic Transmission (Inc. A/C)
Time allowance includes 0. 1 hour for dealer administrative detail associated with this campaign and 0.2 hours administrative allowance for engine exchange.
An allowance of $10.00 is included in Repair Code 2A for gasoline needed to perform the required inspection.
An allowance of $500.00 is included in Repair Code 3A and 4A for engine assembly handling and miscellaneous items such as engine oil and coolant needed to top off fluid levels when an engine is replaced.
SERVICE PROCEDURE:
1. Warm up the engine at idle speed until it reaches normal operating temperature (thermostat opens), approx. 13 minutes (more or less depending on ambient and engine temperature).
2. Manually select the lowest forward gear (1) and drive the vehicle with moderate acceleration until the vehicle shifts into 2nd gear (approx. 54 KPH).
CAUTION:
Always operate the vehicle in a safe manner.
3. Manually select 2nd gear and drive the vehicle for 10 minutes not exceeding 64 KPH. The intention is to drive the vehicle at approx. 3000 engine RPM, realizing traffic conditions may vary greatly.
4. Park the vehicle, with the hood open and the engine running, listen for any ABNORMAL engine sound such as a bearing chirp, knock or squeal.
Verify that any noise heard is not "whoop noise" or accessory drive related. This campaign does not cover those or any other concerns.
"Whoop noise" occurs after an extended hot idle and is generally not audible above 1500 engine RPM.
5. If the engine is judged to emit no abnormal engine sounds, of the type described in step #4, no further action is required. Go to step #7.
6. If abnormal engine noise (of the type described in step #4 is detected), the engine should be exchanged with a new assembly. Refer to the 1996 S/T Service Manual, Book 1 of 2, Page 6A3-29.
Request an exchange engine by calling 1-800-844-1082.
7. Install Campaign Identification Label.
ENGINE RETURN PROCEDURES
The removed engine must be returned to the Romulus Engine Plant immediately (not later than 7 days after the receipt of the replacement unit).
The removed engine must be returned as complete as the replacement engine that was provided in the exchange engine shipping container.
The exchange unit will be shipped with a quantity of oil; check oil level before starting engine. Included with the exchange unit will be return shipping instructions, including a return shipping label (freight collect at destination) and a partially completed Bill of Lading.
SHIPPING PREPARATION
DRAIN ALL FLUIDS FROM THE REMOVED ENGINE AND INSTALL ANY PLUGS TAKEN OFF THE EXCHANGE ENGINE.
Remove the engine assembly as outlined in the applicable service manual. Remove any plastic shipping plugs and covers from the exchange unit and install them on the removed unit.
Recrate the removed engine into the original shipping container. Place a copy of the repair order and the completed identification card in an envelope and attach to the engine being returned.
SHIPPING INSTRUCTIONS
Remove the original shipping tag and attach the return shipping label to the container. The Bill of Lading and Custom Papers provided with the exchange engine are the only documents required to return the removed engine.
IMPORTANT: The carrier, whose name and phone number appear on the Bill of Lading, should be used for the return engine shipment. USE GROUND FREIGHT ONLY!! Please refer to detailed instructions provided in the information packet accompanying the exchange engine.
After the Bill of Lading has been dated and signed by the carrier, retain the last copy with your repair order and provide the other copies to the carrier. Your copy of the Bill of Lading, signed by the carrier, is your proof of returning the engine.
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.
General Motors of Canada bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians, NOT a "do- it-yourselfer." They are written to inform these 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 your General Motors dealer for information on whether your vehicle may benefit from the information.
Customer Support Department General Motors of Canada Limited
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.
