CAMPAIGN: LOOSE CAMSHAFT SPROCKET ATTACHING BOLTS
SUBJECT: LOOSE CAMSHAFT SPROCKET ATTACHING BOLTS
Models: 1996 Chevrolet Blazer with L35 Engine
TO: ALL GENERAL MOTORS DEALERS
General Motors of Canada Limited has determined that CERTAIN 1996 Chevrolet Blazers equipped with 4.3L (RPO L35 - VIN Code "W") engines may have been built with the camshaft sprocket attaching bolts inadequately tightened. When the camshaft sprocket bolts are inadequately tightened, an engine failure is likely to occur.
To correct this condition, dealers are to remove the engine front cover assembly and tighten the camshaft sprocket bolts. (IMPORTANT: TO PREVENT DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE ENGINE, DO NOT OPERATE ENGINE PRIOR TO COMPLETING THIS SERVICE PROCEDURE.)
VEHICLES INVOLVED:
Involved are the following four (4) 1996 Chevrolet Blazers equipped with 4.3L (RPO L35) engines:
VIN VIN
1GKDT13W2T2513049 1GKDT13W5T2513062 1GKDT13W6T2513054 1GKDT13W3T2513139
NOTE: PLEASE CHECK DCS SCREEN 45 OR YOUR V.I.N. LISTING BEFORE PERFORMING CAMPAIGN TO ENSURE THAT THE VEHICLE IS AFFECTED. ONLY AFFECTED VIN'S WILL BE PAED.
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:
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 (see copy of owner letter included with this bulletin). The listings provided are for campaign activity only and should not be used for any other purpose.
PARTS INFORMATION:
Parts required to complete this campaign should be ordered through regular channels, as follows:
Part Number Description Quantity/Vehicle --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12554555 Engine Front Cover Assembly 1 3754587 Water Pump Gasket 2
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 Tighten Camshaft Sprocket Bolts 2.4
Time allowance includes 0.1 hour for dealer administrative detail associated with this campaign. Parts credit will be based on dealer net plus 40% to cover parts handling.
SERVICE PROCEDURE:
IMPORTANT: TO PREVENT DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE ENGINE, DO NOT OPERATE ENGINE PRIOR TO COMPLETING THIS SERVICE PROCEDURE.
1. Remove engine front cover following the instructions in the 1996 Service Manual; Section 6.
2. Torque the camshaft sprocket bolts to 28 N.m (21 lb. ft.).
3. Install new engine front cover, Part Number 12554555, (DO NOT reinstall removed front cover). Also use new water pump gaskets, Part Number 3754587.
4. Install Campaign Identification Label.
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 Limited has determined that CERTAIN 1996 Chevrolet Blazers equipped with 4.3L (RPO L35) engines may have been built with the camshaft sprocket attaching bolts inadequately tightened. When the camshaft sprocket bolts are inadequately tightened, an engine failure is likely to occur.
To correct this condition, your dealers will remove the engine front cover and properly tighten the camshaft sprocket bolts.
This service will be provided for you at no charge.
Please contact your GM dealer as soon as possible to arrange a service date.
If parts are required, ask your dealer for details regarding their availability. If parts are not in stock, they can be ordered before scheduling your service date.
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.
We are sorry to cause you this inconvenience; however, we have taken this action in the interest of your continued satisfaction with our products.
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.
