CAMPAIGN: UPPER TRANSAXLE OIL COOLER LINE SEPARATION. Oldsmobile Silhouette 1992

SUBJECT: TRANSAXLE OIL COOLER LINE CORPORATE SEPARATION (27 STATES ONLY) CAMPAIGN #: 95-C-68 -------------------------- DATE: MARCH 1996

YEARS/ 1992 -1993 EIGHTY EIGHT MODELS: 1992 - 1993 NINETY EIGHT SERVICE MANUAL 1992 -1995 SILHOUETTE SECTION: 7A ------------------------

TO: ALL OLDSMOBILE RETAILERS

----------------------------

The National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act, as amended, provides that each vehicle subject to a recall campaign of this type must be adequately repaired within a reasonable time after the owner has tendered it for repair. A failure to repair within sixty (60) days after tender of a vehicle is prima facie evidence of failure to repair within a reasonable time.

If the condition is not adequately repaired within a reasonable time, the owner may be entitled to an identical or reasonably equivalent vehicle at no charge or to a refund of the purchase price less a reasonable allowance for depreciation.

To avoid having to provide these burdensome solutions, every effort must be made to promptly schedule an appointment with each owner and to repair their vehicle as soon as possible. As you will see in reading the included copy of the letter that is being sent to owners, the owners are being instructed to contact OCAN (Oldsmobile Customer Assistance Network) if their retailer does not remedy the condition within five (5) days of the mutually agreed upon service date. If the condition is not remedied within a reasonable time, they are instructed on how to contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

DEFECT INVOLVED

General Motors has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in certain 1992-1993 Oldsmobile Eighty Eight and Ninety Eight model vehicles and in certain 1992-1995 Oldsmobile Silhouette model vehicles located in certain states (see "STATES INVOLVED" section). These vehicles have an upper transaxle oil cooler hose which could pull out of the crimped coupling at the transaxle end of the assembly. Under certain climatic conditions and under certain driving conditions, if this coupling was to separate and an ignition source was present, an engine compartment fire could occur.

To prevent the possibility of this condition from occurring, retailers are to install a new upper transaxle oil cooler line (to transaxle) on all involved vehicles.

VEHICLES INVOLVED

IMPORTANT: PLEASE ENSURE THAT EACH VEHICLE MEETS BOTH THE "VEHICLES INVOLVED" CRITERIA AND THE "STATES INVOLVED" CRITERIA BEFORE PERFORMING THE SERVICE PROCEDURE.

Involved are certain (not all) 1992-1993 Oldsmobile Eighty Eight and Ninety Eight model vehicles. Also involved are certain (not all) 1992-1995 Oldsmobile Silhouette model vehicles equipped with the 3800 engine (RPO L27) without trailer towing (RPO V92). The involved vehicles are located in the twenty-seven (27) states listed (see "STATES INVOLVED") and within the VIN breakpoints listed below.

PLANT VIN THROUGH & YEAR MODEL MODEL NAME CODE BEGINNING INCLUDING ---- ----- ----------- ----- --------- ---------

1992 H EIGHTY EIGHT H NH300016 NH379106 1992 H EIGHTY EIGHT 1 N1800009 N1837046 1993 H EIGHTY EIGHT H PH300001 PH353303 1993 H EIGHTY EIGHT 1 P1800003 P1809041 1992 C NINETY EIGHT 4 N4300002 N4347581 1993 C NINETY EIGHT 4 P4300003 P4320691 1992 U SILHOUETTE T NT300005 NT316726 1993 U SILHOUETTE T PT300024 PT320476 1994 U SILHOUETTE T RT300013 RT326015 1995 U SILHOUETTE T ST300023 ST300183

NOT ALL VEHICLES WITHIN THE ABOVE BREAKPOINTS ARE INVOLVED

All vehicles listed on the retailer printout will require correction. Campaign involvement, or campaign completion of any vehicle(s) in question, can be verified by utilizing VISS (Vehicle information Service System).

Involved vehicles have been identified by Vehicle Identification Number Listings. Computer listings contain the complete Vehicle Identification Number, owner name and address data, and are furnished to involved retailers with the campaign bulletin. Owner name and address data furnished will enable retailers to follow-up with owners involved in this campaign.

These listings may contain owner names and addresses obtained from State Motor Vehicle Registration Records. The use of such motor vehicle registration data for any other purpose is a violation of law in several states. Accordingly, you are urged to limit the use of this listing to the follow-up necessary to complete this campaign. Any retailer not receiving a computer listing with the campaign bulletin has no involved vehicles currently assigned.

STATES INVOLVED

The following twenty-seven (27) states are involved in this recall campaign:

1. Alaska 8. Kentucky 15. Nebraska 22. Rhode Island 2. Colorado 9. Maine 16. New Hampshire 23. South Dakota 3. Connecticut 10. Maryland 17. New Jersey 24. Vermont 4. Delaware 11. Massachusetts 18. New York 25. West Virginia 5. Illinois 12. Michigan 19. North Dakota 26. Wisconsin 6. Indiana 13. Minnesota 20. Ohio 27. Wyoming 7. Iowa 14. Montana 21. Pennsylvania

PARTS INFORMATION

A preshipment of P.N. 10273332 (for Silhouette only) will be sent to involved retailers the week of March 25, 1996. Preshipped parts will be charged to the retailer's open parts account. Please refer to your "Involved Vehicle Listing" prior to ordering additional requirements. Additional parts and Eighty Eight and Ninety Eight parts (which will not be preshipped) are to be obtained from General Motors Service Parts Operations (GMSPO). Normal orders should be placed on a Daily Replenishment Order (DRO). An emergency requirement should be ordered on a Customer Special Order (CSO).

NOTE: DUE TO THE LIMITED INITIAL PARTS AVAILABILITY OF P.N. 25659161, RETAILERS ARE ENCOURAGED NOT TO ORDER LARGE QUANTITIES OF THESE PARTS FOR USE AS SHELF STOCK. ALSO, P.N. 25623916 (ONE PIECE HOSE ASSEMBLY) WILL ONLY BE NEEDED ON A VERY SMALL NUMBER OF EIGHTY EIGHT & NINETY EIGHT VEHICLES AND SHOULD BE ONLY ORDERED WHEN NEEDED.

DESCRIPTION MODEL PART NUMBER QUANTITY/ ----------- ----- ----------- VEHICLE -------- Hose, Transaxle Oil Cooler Line (2 piece) 25659161 1 -or- C/H Hose, Transaxle Oil Cooler Line (1 piece) 25623916 1 Clamp, Hose (used with 2 piece hose only) C/H 25621969 1 Hose, Transaxle Oil Cooler Line U 10273332 1 Oil, Transmission Dexron III All 12346145 As Required

OWNER NOTIFICATION

Owners will be notified of this recall on their vehicles by Oldsmobile Division (see copy of the owner letter included with this bulletin).

RETAILER CAMPAIGN RESPONSIBILITY

All unsold vehicles in retailers' possession and subject to this campaign must be held and repaired per the service procedure of this campaign bulletin before owners take possession of these vehicles. After campaign is completed, the vehicle may be released for sale/delivery.

Retailers 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

Owners of vehicles recently sold from your new vehicle inventory with no owner information indicated on the retailer listing are to be contacted by the retailer, and arrangements made to make the required correction according to the instructions contained in this bulletin. This could be done by mailing to such owners a copy of the owner's letter included in this bulletin. Campaign follow-up cards should not be uses 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 it is in your retail facility 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. Your cooperation in completing this campaign as soon as possible will be greatly appreciated.

SILHOUETTE MODEL

1. Remove old upper transaxle oil cooler hose clamp and hose assembly.

2. Install new upper transaxle oil cooler hose assembly to transaxle finger tight (constant tension clamp is supplied on hose assembly).

3. Tighten fitting at transaxle to 23 NM (16 lb. ft.).

4. Push hose onto cooler tube (at radiator) until hose end touches tube stop.

5. Position clamp within 8 mm (0.3 in.) from end of hose and install with Kent-Moore hose clamp pliers JA1487 (See Figures 1 & 2). Clamp placement is critical, improper location can cause leaks.

CAUTION:

Safety glasses must be worn when installing spring loaded clamps. A compressed spring could be propelled toward face possibly causing eye injury.

Notice: Be certain that clamp is placed in pliers correctly (See Figure 2). Pliers should not come in contact with sides of clamp. Clamp should not be compressed beyond the stop tab. Improper installation can distort clamp and cause leaks.

6. Insure pipe is located properly in transaxle support bracket slot and designed retainers.

7. Check and refill transaxle as necessary. Use only Dexron III Automatic Transmission Fluid. Start vehicle and check for fluid leaks.

8. Install a Campaign Identification Label.

EIGHTY EIGHT & NINETY EIGHT MODELS

1. Remove old upper transaxle oil cooler hose clamp and hose assembly (see Figure 3).

2. Install new upper transaxle oil cooler hose assembly to transaxle finger tight.

3. Tighten fitting at transaxle to 27 NM (20 lb. ft.).

4. Push hose onto cooler tube (at radiator) until hose end touches tube stop bead.

5. Install new hose clamp P.N. 25621969 on hose at pipe end. Tighten clamp to 4.0 NM + 0.5 NM (35 lb. in. + 4 lb. in.)

6. Insure pipe is located properly in transaxle support bracket slot and designed retainers (see Figure 3).

7. Check and refill transaxle as necessary. Use only Dexron III Automatic Transmission Fluid. Start vehicle and check for fluid leaks.

8. Install a Campaign Identification Label.

VEHICLES WITH A ONE (1) PIECE UPPER TRANSAXLE OIL COOLER LINE ASSEMBLY

NOTICE: A SMALL QUANTITY OF 1992 AND 1993 EIGHTY EIGHT AND NINETY EIGHT VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH ONE PIECE TRANSAXLE OIL COOLER LINES (WITH NO HOSE CLAMP). ON THESE VEHICLES IT WILL BE NECESSARY TO REPLACE THE COMPLETE LINE WITH A NEW PART NUMBER P.N. 25623916.

1. Remove old one piece upper transaxle oil cooler hose assembly.

2. Install new one piece upper transaxle oil cooler hose assembly to transaxle and radiator finger tight.

3. Tighten fitting at transaxle to 27 NM (20 lb. ft.).

4. Tighten fitting at radiator to 27 NM (20 lb. ft.).

5. Insure pipe is located properly in transaxle support bracket slot and designed retainers.

6. Check and refill transaxle as necessary. Use only Dexron III Automatic Transmission Fluid. Start vehicle and check for fluid leaks.

7. Install a Campaign Identification Label.

CAMPAIGN IDENTIFICATION LABEL

Each label provides space to include the subject corporate campaign number and the Oldsmobile retailer identification (dealer) code of the retailer completing the campaign service. This information must be inserted with a ball point pen. Servicing retailers are to ensure that these numbers are recorded and the label is properly affixed on a clean, dry surface of the radiator core support in an area clearly visible when the hood is raised. This label is to be used in conjunction with a clear protective plastic cover which will also be provided to retailers when labels are ordered. Additional labels and covers are available at no charge to you in sheet stock of forty nine (49) per sheet from the following source:

VISPAC, INCORPORATED 35000 INDUSTRIAL ROAD LIVONIA, MICHIGAN 48150

PHONE: 1-800-269-5100 (Monday - Friday 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM Eastern Standard Time)

IMPORTANT: Refer to Item Number S-1015 when ordering GM Campaign Identification Label

Each retailer will be shipped a special tool, J-41487 (spring hose clamp pliers), from Kent-Moore, the week of March 25, 1996. The tool is furnished at no charge to the retailer. Additional tools, if required, may be ordered from Kent- Moore and will be charged to the retailer's open account. Fleet Warranty Stations may obtain information on how to purchase tools from Kent-Moore by calling 1-800-345-2233 and asking for the "order desk".

WARRANTY CLAIM INFORMATION

NOTE: THE ONE TENTH HOUR (0.1 HR) ADMINISTRATION ALLOWANCE IS NOW INCLUDED IN THE LABOR HOURS TIME.

Submit claims using the appropriate V" labor operation number below for each vehicle:

TOTAL FAILURE LABOR LABOR OPERATION MODEL PARTS CODE OPERATION HOURS ---------- ----- ----- ------ --------- -----

Upper Transaxle Oil Cooler Line, U 1 96 V9890 0.5 Replace

Upper 2 piece Transaxle Oil 2 Cooler Line & Clamp, Replace Clamp, Replace

- or -

Upper 1 piece Transaxle C/H 96 V9891 0.4 Oil Cooler Line, Replace 1

ADMINISTRATION ALLOWANCE:

0.1 hour for clerical administration is included in the time listed in the "Labor Hours" column.

1992-1993 MODEL PARTS ALLOWANCE:

The "Part Amount" should represent the retailer cost for the required parts and one (1) pint of Dexron III ATF plus 30% allowance for handling.

1994-1995 MODEL PARTS ALLOWANCE:

The "Part Amount" should represent the retailer cost for the required parts and one (1) pint of Dexron III ATF plus 40% allowance for handling.

OWNER LETTER

March 1996

Dear Oldsmobile Owner:

This notice is sent to you in accordance with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act.

REASON FOR THIS SAFETY RECALL: General Motors has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in certain 1992-1993 Oldsmobile Eighty Eight and Ninety Eight model vehicles and in certain 1992- 1995 Oldsmobile Silhouette model vehicles, with 3.8L engines, located in certain states. These vehicles have an upper transaxle oil cooler hose which could pull out of the crimped coupling at the transaxle end of the assembly. Under certain climatic conditions and under certain driving conditions, if this coupling was to separate and an ignition source was present, an engine compartment fire could occur.

STATES INVOLVED: The following twenty-seven (27) states are involved in this recall campaign.

WHAT WE WILL DO: To prevent the possibility of this condition from occurring, retailers are to install a new upper transaxle oil cooler line (to transaxle) on all involved vehicles. This service will be performed for you at no charge.

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO: Please contact your Oldsmobile retailer immediately to arrange a service date. Instructions have been sent to your retailer. It is estimated that parts will be available to your retailer March 25, 1996. Please ask your retailer if you wish an estimate of the total time needed to schedule, process and return your vehicle. Included in this time would be about thirty (30) minutes for a technician to perform the work required. You may have your vehicle serviced at the authorized Oldsmobile retailer of your choice.

Your Oldsmobile retailer is best equipped to obtain parts and provide service to promptly correct your vehicle. However, if you take your vehicle to your retailer on the agreed service date, and they do not remedy this condition then or within five days, we suggest you call Oldsmobile Customer Assistance (1-800-442-6537). Deaf, hearing impaired, or speech impaired persons with telecommunications devices for the deaf (TDD/TTY may contact Oldsmobile Customer Assistance at 1-800-TDD-OLDS (1-800-833-6537). They will assist you and the retailer in getting your vehicle corrected.

After contacting your retailer and Oldsmobile Customer Assistance, if you are still not satisfied that we have done our best to remedy this condition without charge and within a reasonable time, you may write the Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 400 Seventh St., S.W., Washington, D.C. 20590 or call 1-800-424-9393 (Washington, D.C. residents call 366-0123).

COURTESY TRANSPORTATION: Should a delay in repairing your vehicle occur, to minimize your inconvenience, Oldsmobile retailers may offer various courtesy transportation options.

OWNER REPLY CARD: The enclosed owner reply card identifies your vehicle. Presentation of this card to your retailer will assist in making the necessary correction in the shortest possible time. If you have sold or traded your vehicle, please let us know by completing the postage paid reply card and returning it to us.

We are sorry to cause you this inconvenience; however, we have taken this action for your safety and continued satisfaction with our products.

OLDSMOBILE DIVISION General Motors Corporation

Enclosure

Object Number: 79807 Size: FS

Object Number: 77748 Size: FS

Object Number: 78687 Size: FS

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.