Customer Satisfaction Program - 1993-95 3.1L (RPO L82) V6 Service Engine (Part Number 12522928)

THIS CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM BULLETIN IS BEING SENT TO DEALERS VIA DCS MESSAGE ONLY. PLEASE RETAIN THIS COPY AS NO PRINTED BULLETIN WILL BE MAILED TO DEALERS. AN ELECTRONIC COPY WILL BE AVAILABLE ON THE GM SERVICE INFORMATION SYSTEM (SI) BY DECEMBER 12, 2002.

THIS PROGRAM IS IN EFFECT UNTIL MAY 31, 2003.

General Motors has decided that certain 1993-95 3.1L (RPO L82) service replacement engines may have been built with the wrong push rods that may wear out prematurely and cause engine noise and engine damage.

Dealers are to inspect the production date code on certain GMSPO Goodwrench service engines by locating vehicles with these service engines and replacing the push rods. Refer to GM Parts Bulletin ARB#02-132 (Action Return Bulletin) to obtain production date code information.

Involved are certain 1993-95 3.1L V6 (RPO L82) GMSPO service replacement engines (P/N 12522928) that were sold to dealers.

1. Check your Parts Department sales records to determine the name, address and telephone number of any possible purchaser(s) of the suspect service engine.
2. If the identified purchaser(s) is a body shop or independent repair facility, please contact them to obtain the vehicle owner's name, address and telephone number along with the VIN of the vehicle in which the suspect service engine may have been installed.
3. For each identified owner of a vehicle in which the suspect service engine may have been installed, contact the owner to arrange a service inspection date.

Important: General Motors has no record of any vehicles which may have been serviced with this service engine assembly and therefore will not add VINs to GMVIS.

Parts required to complete this program are to be obtained from General Motors Service Parts Operations (GMSPO). Please refer to your "involved vehicles listing" before ordering requirements. 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: It is estimated that only a small number of vehicles will require push rod replacement. Only vehicles that have had engines replaced since January 8, 2002 are involved. Please order parts accordingly.

Inspection Procedure For On Vehicle Service Engines

1. Raise the vehicle hood and inspect the service replacement engine for the same date code information as listed on GM Parts Action Return Bulletin, ARB#02-132, dated October 25, 2002. 1993-95 3.1L V6 (L82) service engine part number 12522928, without a blue, 1/4" round dot on the valve cover next to the PCV valve and with a date code of January 8, 2002 (020108) through May 14, 2002 (020514) are affected. The white bar code date label is located on the left front and right rear of the engine block assembly.

Format example: 0 2 0 1 0 8 XXX 2928 928

Date: First 6 Digits -- Position 1-2 = Year (02 = 2002) / Position 3-4 = Month (01 = January, 1st month) / Position 5-6 = Day (08 = 8th day of month) / Position 7-10 = Sequence number / Position 11-17 = Part number used by manufacturing location

2. If the service engine date code is within the affected dates, follow the appropriate service manual and replace all twelve push rods.
3. Change the engine oil and filter.
4. Install the GM Identification Label.

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

Put the Program 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 Program Identification Label, be sure to pull the tab to allow the adhesion of the clear protective covering. Additional Program Identification Labels for US dealers can be obtained from Dealer Support Materials by either ordering on the web from DWD Store, gm-dealerworld.com, or calling 1-866-700-0001 (Monday-Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm EST). Request Item Number S-1015 when ordering.

Submit an H-routed claim to your AVM (Area Vehicle Manager) for approval, with the information indicated below.

If necessary, any further engine repair should be submitted as a claim type "B" if the engine is within 12 months/12,000 miles of installation; or a claim type "N" if beyond 12 months/12,000 miles, but less than 36 months/50,000 miles.

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

Important: General Motors has no record of any vehicles which may have been serviced with this service engine assembly and therefore will not add VINs to GMVIS.

Customers with affected Goodwrench service engines will be notified of this program by their dealer. Dealers should check their records and contact any customers that have had their vehicle's V6 (L82) engine replaced since January 8, 2002. A suggested customer letter, which may be used by dealers, is included with this bulletin. Since dealers will contact their involved customer directly, GM will not notify these customers nor provide a dealer listing.

All unsold engines under part number 12522928 in dealers' possession and subject to this program MUST be held and inspected/returned (in parts inventory) or repaired (in vehicle) per the service procedure of this program bulletin BEFORE customers take possession of these vehicles.

Dealers are to service all vehicles subject to this program at no charge to customers, regardless of mileage, age of vehicle, or ownership, through May 31, 2003.

In summary, whenever a vehicle subject to this program enters your vehicle inventory, or is in your dealership for service prior to June 1, 2003, you must take the steps necessary to be sure the program correction has been made before selling or releasing the vehicle.

Dear General Motors Customer:

We want your experience owning your General Motors vehicle to be better than any other you've had ... which is why we're writing.

We have learned that your vehicle may have been serviced with a Goodwrench engine built with incorrect engine valve pushrods.

We've made the correct pushrods available to your dealer so that if your vehicle's replacement engine was built with incorrect pushrods, it can be serviced as quickly as possible. This service will be performed for you at no charge .

We recommend that you contact your dealer to arrange a service date.

If you have any questions or need any assistance, just contact your dealer or the appropriate Customer Assistance Center at the number listed below:

We sincerely regret any inconvenience this causes you. Also, we want you to know that we will continue to do everything we can to ensure that you are completely satisfied with our products.

General Motors Corporation

Enclosure