Customer Satisfaction - Valve Springs-Replace

THIS BULLETIN IS BEING REVISED TO ADD VEHICLES TO THE CAMPAIGN. PLEASE DISCARD CUSTOMER SATISFACTION BULLETIN NUMBER 01060, DATED AUGUST, 2001.

THIS CAMPAIGN BULLETIN IS SENT TO INVOLVED DEALERS VIA DCS MESSAGE ONLY. PLEASE RETAIN THIS COPY AS NO PRINTED BULLETIN WILL BE MAILED TO DEALERS. AN ELECTRONIC COPY IS AVAILABLE ON THE GM SERVICE INFORMATION SYSTEM (SI2000). ON AUGUST 17, 2001, INITIAL VEHICLES INVOLVED IN THIS CAMPAIGN WERE PLACED ON STOP DELIVERY VIA ADMINISTRATIVE MESSAGES WIS20010027 - WIS20010047. ADDITIONAL VEHICLES WERE ADDED TO THIS CAMPAIGN VIA ADMINISTRATIVE MESSAGES WIA2001119 - WIA20010131, DATED AUGUST 28, 2001. AFTER THIS CAMPAIGN SERVICE PROCEDURE IS COMPLETED, THE VEHICLES MAY BE RELEASED FROM THE STOP DELIVERY.

General Motors has decided that certain 2001 and 2002 Chevrolet Malibu, Impala, Monte Carlo, Venture; Pontiac Grand Am, Grand Prix, Montana, Aztek; Oldsmobile Alero, Silhouette; Buick Century, Rendezvous model vehicles equipped with 3.1L (RPO LG8 - VIN Code J) or 3.4L (RPO LA1 - VIN Code E) engine may exhibit a condition in which the cylinder head valve springs fail. This condition may cause upper engine noise, engine miss and/or engine failure.

Dealers are to replace all twelve (12) engine valve springs.

Involved are certain 2001 and 2002 Chevrolet Malibu, Impala, Monte Carlo, Venture; Pontiac Grand Am, Grand Prix, Montana, Aztek; Oldsmobile Alero, Silhouette; Buick Century, Rendezvous model vehicles equipped with 3.1L (RPO LG8 - VIN Code J) or 3.4L (RPO LA1 - VIN Code E) engine and built within these VIN breakpoints:

Important: Dealers should confirm vehicle eligibility through GMVIS (GM Vehicle Inquiry System) or GM Access Screen (Canada only) or DCS Screen 445 (IPC only) prior to beginning campaign repairs. [Not all vehicles within the above breakpoints may be involved.]

Involved vehicles have been identified by Vehicle Identification Number and were included in the division specific administrative messages WIS20010027 - WIS20010047, dated August 17, 2001 and WIA20010119 - WIA20010131, dated August 28, 2001.

Important: An initial supply of springs and gaskets (50% of involved vehicles) required to complete this campaign will be pre-shipped to involved dealers of record. This pre-shipment is scheduled to begin the week of August 20, 2001. Pre-shipped parts will be charged to dealer's open parts account.

Additional parts, if required, are to be obtained from General Motors Service Parts Operations (GMSPO). Please refer to your "involved vehicles listing" before ordering parts. Normal orders should be placed on a DRO = Daily Replenishment Order. In an emergency situation, parts should be ordered on a CSO = Customer Special Order.

Important: Currently, an order quantity limiter of 12 pieces is in place for part number 10166343.

Important: The labor time allowance listed in this campaign is different than that currently published in the labor time guide for performing the same operation. In the near future, the labor time guide will be updated with this new information.

Valve Spring Replacement Procedure

1. Refer to the appropriate Service Information and replace all 12 engine valve springs.

Notice: The valve rocker cover gasket will be attached to the cylinder head at the "V" channel between the valve rocker cover gasket and the cylinder head with RTV. It is extremely important that this RTV be cut with a razor knife prior to seal removal or damage to the lower intake gasket may result. Cut the sealant flush in the bottom of the "V" channel. Under no circumstances should the valve rocker cover gasket be "pulled" to release the RTV. This WILL damage the lower intake manifold gasket resulting in an oil leak!

Important: Use new valve rocker cover gaskets (P/N 10154775) when reinstalling the valve rocker covers. Also, use cleaning solvent (P/N 12346139 U.S., IPC; P/N 10953463 Canada) or the equivalent, before applying dabs of RTV (P/N 12345739) or the equivalent, in the notches where the cylinder head and valve rocker covers meet.

2. Install the GM Campaign Identification Label.

For US and IPC

Place a Campaign Identification Label on each vehicle corrected in accordance with the instructions outlined in this Product Campaign Bulletin. Each label provides a space to include the campaign number and the five (5) digit dealer code of the dealer performing the campaign service. This information may be inserted with a typewriter or a ball point pen.

Put the Campaign Identification Label on a clean and dry surface of the radiator core support in an area that will be visible to people servicing the vehicle. When installing the Campaign Identification Label, be sure to pull the tab to allow the adhesion of the clear protective covering. Additional Campaign Identification Labels for US dealers can be obtained from Dealer Support Materials by calling 1-888-549-6152 (Monday-Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm EST). Ask for Item Number S-1015 when ordering.

Additional Campaign Identification Labels for IPC dealers can be obtained from your Regional Marketing Office.

For Canada

Place a Campaign Identification Label on each vehicle corrected in accordance with the instructions outlined in this Product Campaign Bulletin. Each label provides a space to include the campaign number and the five (5) digit dealer code of the dealer performing the campaign service. This information may be inserted with a typewriter or a ball point pen.

Put the Campaign Identification Label on a clean and dry surface of the radiator core support in an area that will be visible to people servicing the vehicle. Additional Campaign Identification Labels for Canadian dealers can be obtained from DGN by calling 1-800-668-5539 (Monday-Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm EST). Ask for Item Number GMP91 when ordering.

Submit a Product Campaign Claim with the information indicated below.

Refer to the General Motors WINS Claim Processing Manual for details on Product Campaign Claim Submission.

Dealers in possession of vehicles included in the Stop Delivery are eligible for reimbursement of floor plan expense upon completion of this campaign. This reimbursement is limited to the number of days from the Stop Delivery message to receipt of the campaign parts and/or repair procedures. Floor plan reimbursement beyond these dates is not allowed. The amount of reimbursement should be charged as a "Net Item" amount expense using the campaign labor operation provided.

No customer notification by General Motors is necessary because these "stop delivery" vehicles are listed as "unsold".

All unsold new vehicles in dealers' possession and subject to this campaign MUST be held and inspected/repaired per the service procedure of this campaign bulletin BEFORE customers take possession of these vehicles.

Customers who have recently purchased vehicles sold from your vehicle "stop delivery" inventory are to be contacted by the dealer. Arrangements are to be made to make the required correction according to the instructions contained in this bulletin.

In summary, whenever a vehicle subject to this campaign enters your vehicle inventory, or is in your dealership for service in the future, you must take the steps necessary to be sure the campaign correction has been made before selling or releasing the vehicle.