CAMPAIGN: INCORRECT TRANSAXLE DIPSTICK READING - 440T4
MODELS AFFECTED: ALL 1984 AND EARLY PRODUCTION 1985 CENTURYS EQUIPPED WITH 3.8L MFI ENGINES AND 440-4T TRANSAXLES
General Motors has determined that all 1984 and some early production 1985 Centurys equipped with 3.8L engines and 440-4T transaxles were assembled with oil filler tube and dipstick combinations which give an incorrect oil level reading. The transaxles on these vehicles were properly filled at the time of manufacture as the dipsticks are not used by the assembly plants to determine the oil level.
If a dealer or service facility should accurately check and adjust the transaxle fluid level according to the dipstick reading on one of these vehicles, the transaxle would be approximately two (2) pints low of fluid. This low fluid level could result in transaxle slippage in cold weather and during certain maneuvers, resulting in damage to the transaxle. To prevent the possibility of this condition occurring on vehicles involved, the original transaxle dipstick is to be replaced with a new correct reading dipstick, part number 25527122 Refer to illustration to identify the old and new dipsticks. cause owners unnecessary inconvenience, the new dipsticks have been furnished directly to affected owners from records available to Buick. Owners may install them personally or they may request dealer assistance for installation. This service is to be done at "NO CHARGE" to owners.
If your dealership has vehicles involved in this campaign, you will receive a VIN listing of vehicles, and a transaxle dipstick for each vehicle for which we have no owner of record. If a vehicle has been recently delivered, and the owner's name is not on your VIN listing, please contact the owner to have the dipstick changed. It is your responsibility to see that the dipsticks are changed on these vehicles.
VEHICLES INVOLVED
All 1984 Centurys equipped with 3.8L MFI engines and 440-4T transaxles.
1985 Centurys equipped with 3.8L MFI engines and 440-4T transaxles with the following serial numbers:
Assembly Plant From Through & Including -------------- ---- ------------------- Doraville FD400001 FD439398 Oklahoma City F6400001 F6477151 Tarrytown FT400001 FT416140
Vehicles listed above are to have the new transaxle dipstick, part number 25527122, installed (by owner or dealer). Some 1985 Centurys with 3.8L MFI engines and 440-4T transaxles which have VIN's higher than those listed, were assembled with an interim dipstick, part number 25519030B, which are the same length and design as the new part. Do not replace these dipsticks. Refer to illustration.
OWNER NOTIFICATION
As stated previously, owners of record are being notified of this campaign and sent the replacement dipstick. A copy of the Owner Letter is included with this bulletin.
SHIPMENT OF PARTS
The correct quantity of transaxle dipsticks are being shipped to each dealer on a "NO CHARGE" basis (only for VIN's on your list with no owner name). They will not be billed on dealer parts account. Dealers should not order from GMWDD. If transfers make additional parts necessary, contact your zone office.
The dipsticks are to be changed in vehicles involved. The replaced dipsticks are to be properly tagged with the vehicle information and retained for scrapping by Buick contact personnel. If a vehicle on your listing has been transferred or sold to another location, please send vehicle information and the new dipstick to your zone office for forwarding to proper dealer.
WARRANTY INFORMATION
Dealers are to submit each campaigned vehicle as a separate case on the one-line warranty document, Form S-764. Dealers submitting warranty claims by teletype terminal are to transmit completions as a separate case.
SUBLET PART FAILED PARTS FAILURE LABOR LABOR OTHER DEALER OPERATION COUNT PART NO. ALLOW. CODE OP.NO. HOURS HOURS MTL TWG
Install New * ** Dipstick - - - 96 V2900 .2 hr. .Ihr .44
* . 1 hr. for Administration
** $.44 is for 30% of dealer price of furnished dipstick.
To assure accurate records of all transactions on this campaign, it is recommended that campaign repairs for each vehicle be listed on a separate repair order. Other repairs performed to the vehicle may be listed on the same repair order; and warranty, other than campaigns, may be listed on the same warranty document. Warranty documents on this campaign are not to be sent to the Zone Office. Send directly to Buick - Flint, as is done with normal submissions of warranty documents.
Zone authorization is not required.
Dear Buick Owner:
General Motors has determined that all 1984 and some early production 1985 Centurys equipped with 3.8L engines and 440-4T transaxles were assembled with oil filler and dipstick combinations which give an incorrect oil level reading. The transaxles on these vehicles were properly filled at the time of manufacture as the dipsticks are not used by the assembly plants to determine the oil level. If a dealer or service facility should accurately check and then adjust the transaxle oil level according to the dipstick reading, the transaxle would be approximately two (2) pints low of oil. This low level could result in transaxle slippage in cold weather and during certain maneuvers, resulting in damage to the transaxle.
To prevent the possibility of this condition occurring on your vehicle, the original transaxle dipstick is to be replaced with a new correct reading dipstick.
The new dipstick is enclosed for your convenience. Rather than asking you to return to your Buick Dealer, it is believed you might wish to install the new dipstick yourself. Just withdraw the old one, dispose of it, and install the new one in its place. Refer to illustration on reverse side of this letter for identification and location of dipstick. Naturally, if you wish to return your vehicle to your dealer for this change, they will be pleased to assist at no charge to you. If you install the new dipstick, or if you have sold or traded your vehicle, please let us know by completing the enclosed postage paid owner reply card and returning it to us. This will assist us in assuring that all affected vehicles have been corrected and will eliminate the need to bother you with follow-up notifications. If you no longer own the vehicle, you may dispose of the new dipstick. We are sorry to cause you this inconvenience; however, we have taken this action in the interest of your continued satisfaction with our products. We appreciate your assistance.
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.
