CAMPAIGN: BATTERY LEAKAGE- REPLACE HEAVY DUTY BATTERY
MOOELS: 1985 Buick Electra,, Oldsmobile 98 Equipped with Heavy Duty Batteries
TO: ALL AFFECTED DEALERS:
DEFECT INVOLVED:
General Motors of Canada has determined that some 1985 Buick Electra Coupes and Sedans and Oldsmobile 98s were assembled with batteries that may leak acid. This acid may cause possible degradation of the transmission cooler hoses on gasoline engine equipped vehicles and other components in the are of the battery.
To prevent these conditions from occurring on vehicles involved, dealers are to determine if the vehicle is equipped with original equipment battery number 107 or aftermarket number 78A-60. If the vehicle is equipped with one of these batteries, they will be replaced with a new 78A-72 battery, the transmission cooler hoses on gasoline engine equipped vehicles will be replaced and any other battery acid affected component will be cleaned or replaced.
VEHICLES INVOLVED:
Certain 1985 Buick Electras and Oldsmobile 98s with 3.0L and 3.8L gasoline engines and 4.3L diesel engines equipped with 107 or 78A-60 heavy duty batteries (UA1 option) within the following VIN breakpoints:
PLANT FROM TO
Buick Wentzville F1400126 F1404498 With Options LN3-UA8 " F1404498 F1425364 With Options LN3+UA1 " F1402143 F1425364 With Options LK9+UA1 Olds Wentzville F1300076 F1314724 With Options LN3+UA1 Orion F4300078 F4314377 With Options LN3+UA1 Wentzville F1300076 F1301694 With Options LN3-UA1 " F1300076 F1314724 With Options LK9+UA1 Orion F4300078 F4302638 With Options LN3-UA1 Wentzville F1300076 F1314724 With Options LT7-UA1 Orion F4300078 F4314377 With Options LT7-UA1
SOME OF THESE VEHICLES WITHIN THESE BREAKPOINTS WILL NOT REQUIRE BATTERY REPLACEMENTS AS THEY WERE NOT ASSEMBLED WITH A 107 BATTERY.
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:
Dealers are to service all vehicles subject to this campaign at no charge to owners, regardless of mileage, age of vehicle, or ownership, from this time forward. Whenever a vehicle subject to this campaign is taken into your new or used vehicle inventory, or it is in your Dealership for service in the future, you should take the steps necessary to be sure the campaign correction has been made before reselling or releasing the vehicle.
Owners of vehicles recently sold from your new vehicle inventory are to be contactec by the Dealer, and arrangements made to make the required modification according to instructions contained in this bulletin.
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. The listings provided are for campaign activity only and should not be used for any other purpose.
PARTS INFORMATION:
Parts required for this recall should be obtained through regular channels as follows:
Description Part Number Number Per Vehicle
Battery 78A-72 1 per vehicle
Kit, transmission cooler 25526686 1 for each vehicle upper hose and clamps with 107 or 78A-60 battery and equipped with a gasoline engine
Hood Release Cable 20470537 As Required (Gas engine Only)
Power Steering Cooler Pipe Package 22527846 As Required (Gas engine Only)
Washer Hose 5/32 in. 1359744 As Required (25 Ft. Roll) Upper radiator Hose 3.8L Engine 25516661 As Required 3.0L Engine 25515308 As Required
FOR ADDITIONAL PARTS THAT MAY BE REQUIRED, REFER TO THE 1985 "C" CAR PARTS AND ILLUSTRATION CATALOGUE.
SPECIAL MATERIALS
The following material is required for cleaning acid affected parts:
Sodium Bicarbonate (Baking Soda) Purchase Locally
DISPOSITION OF REPLACED PARTS
All replaced parts must be held for dispcsition by DSM. Each replaced part must have a claim tag attached showing the repair order # and the VIN of the vehicle from which it was removed.
PARTS AND LABOUR CLAIM INFORMATION:
Credit for the campaign work performed will be paid upon receipt of a properly completed campaign claim card or RAPID terminal transmission in accordance with the following:
Repair Code Operation Time Allowance ----------- --------- ------------- 1A Inspection only .3 2A Inspect and replace Battery .4 (Diesel Engine) 3A Inspect, Replace Battery and .6 Transmission Cooler Hoses. (Cas Engines) 4A Same as 3A plus clean up .7 components 5A Some as 4A plus replace Power 1.1 Steeriny Cooler Pipe (Gas Engines) 6A Includes all items in 5A plus additional parts and/or labour as authorized by Zone
The following may be required as part of 6A.
Replace washer hose .1 hr. Replace upper radiator hose = .2 hr. Recoat affected parts = .6 hr. (Radiator support, radiator, battery tray). Replace hood release cable - .3 hr.
Time allowance includes 0.1 hour for Dealer administrative detail associated with this campaign. Parts credit will be based on dealer net plus 30% to cover parts handling.
SERVICE PROCEDURE PART A - INSPECTION OF BATTERY
1. Open vehicle hood, cover fenders, and inspect "Caution" label on top surface of battery. Refer to Figure 1.
a. Replace batteries idetitified as original equipment number "107" or aftermarket (replacement) number "78A-60" on "Caution" label following the complete procedure in PART B of this procedure.
b. DO NOT replace batteries that are not identified as described in Step "a" above, as no further action is required, except to install a campaign identification label.
ANY BATTERY IDENTlFIED WITH EITHER OF THESE LABELS MUST BE REPLACED
PART B - COMPONENT INSPECTION, CLEANING, REPAIR AND REPLACEMENT
CAUTION:
FOLLOW RECOMMENDED PRECAUTIONS IN HANDLING BATTERIES AND POTENTIAL BATTERY ACID CONTAMINATION COMPONENTS. BATTERY ACID IS CORROSIVE. PROPER PROTECTIVE CLOTHING AND SAFETY GLASSES SHOULD BE WORN DURING THE FOLLOWING WORK:
1. Disconnect battery negative cable, positive cable, remove retainer screw and retainer. Carefully remove battery, tag with vehicle infomation, and store in a safe area for disposition as instructed in this bulletin.
2. Inspect the following areas for evidence of battery acid. Make note of areas where acid or acid residue is present. Acid residue can usually be identified as a whitish discoloration or deposit. Acid can result in corrosion or paint peeling on metals and softening and blistering of rubber and certain plastic compounds.
a. Battery tray, holddown bolt, and plastic clamp.
b. Left inner fender area, (right inner fender area; diesel engine).
c. Left shock tower.
d. Left horns, (air conditioning line, muffler hose, etc. diesel engine only).
e. Radiator.
f. Lower radiator support.
g. Transmission oll cooler lines, hoses, and clamps, (gasoline only).
h. Power steering oil cooler lines, holddown bracket and bolt.
i. Hood release cable.
j. Windshield washer hose.
k. Upper radiator hose and clamp at radiator.
l. Air cleaner housing and inlet area (3.8L engine only).
m. Hood insulation above battery,
n. Engine cradle under battery,
o. Side rail under battery,
p. Any other suspected contaminated part in battery area.
q. Engine oil cooler pipes (diesel engine only).
3. If there were no evidence of battery acid found in Step 2, proceed to step 5 of this procedure to replace transmission cooler hoses (on gasoline engine vehicles only) and install new battery. If evidence of acid presence was noted in step 2, clean affected parts and areas using the following procedure:
a. Purchase sodium bicarbonatee (baking soda) locally.
b. Sprinkle affected area with baking soda.
c. Mix a solution of one (1) part baking soda by volume to one (1) part water.
d. Brush affected parts and areas liberally with solution, making sure to cover all surfaces.
e. Let stand until affected area stops gassing (foaming).
f. Rinse with clean water.
g. Repeat application five (5) times and rinse.
4. After neutralizing acid in Step 3, proceed to correct possible degradation, as listed below. Perform only the appropriate steps listed where acid presence was noted:
STANDARD PAINT REFINISH PROCEDURES SHOULD BE USED WHEN REPAIRING PAINT THAT WAS DAMAGED BY BATTERY ACID.
a. Power Steering Oil Cooler Lines
Place container under line connections. Remove old lines. Clean holddown bracket, attaching screw, lower radidtor support behind holddown bracket and along side rail where lines were with baking soda and water solution. Replace power steering oil cooler line with package number 22527846 Refer to Figure 2. Fill power steering system to replace lost fluid.
b. Battery Tray, Holddown Bolt and Plastic Clamp
Make sure acid residue has been thoroughly cleaned. Repaint tray as required.
c. Lower Radiator Support and Radiator
Make sure acid residue has been thoroughly cleaned. Repaint affected areas as required.
d. Upper Radiator Hose and Clamp at Radiator (Lower Hose on Diesel)
Remove hose and replace clamp at radiator. Install new hose and clamp at radiator. Fill radiator with recommended coolant. Torque clamps to 2.0 N m (18 lb. in.).
e. Windshield Washer Container Hose and Hood Release Cable (Gasoline Engine Only)
Replace washer container hose with service part number 1359744 cut to proper length. Replace hood release cable.
f. Other Parts and Areas
Work performed and time allowance in the following areas must have zone aprroval:
(1.) Left inner fender area, (2.) Left shock tower, (3.) Left horns, (4.) Air cleaner housing and inlet area,
(5.) Hood insulation above battery. If battery acid is evidenced on hood insulator, it should be replaced and inner hood panel should be cleaned and paint repaired, if required.
(6.) Engine cradle under battery.
(7.) Other suspected contaminated parts in battery area.
5. Place drain container under transmission cooler hoses.
6. Remove transmission cooler hoses. If required, clean end of lines with a clean rag soaked in the baking soda and water solution; cover ends of lines with tape and repaint affected areas. Remove tape. Install new hoses and clamps using parts in Package 25525913 and 25525914. Refer to Figure 3. Torque clamps to 1.5 N.m (13 lb. in.).
7. Measure transmission oil lost during hose replacement and install same amount of new oil in transmission.
8. Install new service battery 78A-72, part number 1981590. Tighten battery retainer screw to 17 N.m (13 lbs. ft.). Connect, positive negative cable, and tighten cable bolts to 12 N.m (9 lbs. ft.).
9. Start engine and check for leaks at cooler hose connections, and at connections of other replaced fluid lines and hoses. Repair, if required.
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 has determined that some 1985 Buick Electras and Oldsmobile 98s were assembled with batteries that may leak acid. This acid may cause possible degradation of the transmission cooler hoses and other components in the area of the battery.
To prevent these conditions from occurring on your vehicle, your GM dealer will determine if the vehicle is equipped with an original equipment 107 or replecement 78A-60 battery. If the vehicle is equipped with one of these batteries, they will be replaced with a new 78A-72 battery, the transmission cooler hoses will be replaced and any other battery acid affected component will be cleaned or replaced. This service will be done at no charge to you.
Please contact your GM dealer to arrange a service date. The labour time to inspect your vehicle is approximately five minutes. If the battery and transmission cooler lines are replaced, the labour time is approximately twenty minutes. If additional clean-up or replacement of other components are required, labour time can be up to approximately three (3) hours. Please ask your dealer if you wish to know how much additional time will be necessary to process your vehicle.
This letter identifies your vehicle. Presentation of this letter to your Dealer will assist their Service personnel in completing the necessary correction tp your vehicle in the shortest possible time.
Further assistance, it required, may be obtained from the General Motors Zone Office nearest you. Your vehicle Owner's Manual provides the location and phone number of each respective Zone Office.
We are sorry to cause you this inconvenience; however, we have taken the action in the interest of your continued satisfaction with our products. Your prompt cooperation would be appreciated.
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.
