Engine - Knocking Noise in Cold Ambient Temperatures: Overview
Number: 90-445-6ASection: 6A
Date: August 1993
Corporate Bulletin No.: SPECIAL
Ase No.: A1, A8
Subject:
SPECIAL POLICY ADJUSTMENT PISTON PLATING WEAR
Model and Year:
1990 CHEVROLET LUMINA COUPE, SEDAN AND APV WITH 3.1L ENGINE
SPECIAL POLICY
To: All Chevrolet Dealers:
General Motors has determined that some 1990 Chevrolet Lumina Coupe, Sedan and APV model vehicles equipped with 3.1L engines may develop a condition of premature wear of the pistons due to low adhesion of the tin plating. Evidence of this condition would be a cold engine knocking noise at low ambient temperatures. This condition will not lead to engine failure and is typically limited to cylinders # 2, # 4, and # 6.
VEHICLES INVOLVED:
Involved are some 1990 Chevrolet Lumina Coupe, Sedan and APV model vehicles equipped with 3.1L engines and built within the VIN breakpoints as shown in image.
OWNER NOTIFICATION:
Owners in specific cold climate states (see below) will be notified of this Special Policy by Chevrolet (see copy of owner letter included with this bulletin).
STATES INVOLVED IN OWNER NOTIFICATION:
Alaska (AK) Nebraska (NE)
Colorado (CO) New Hampshire (NH)
Connecticut (CT) New Jersey (NJ)
Delaware (DE) New York (NY)
Dist. of Columbia (DC) North Dakota (ND)
Idaho (ID) Ohio (OH)
Illinois (IL) Pennsylvania (PA)
Indiana (IN) Rhode Island (RI)
Iowa (IA) South Dakota (SD)
Massachusetts (MA) Utah (UT)
Maine (ME) Vermont (VT)
Maryland (MD) Virginia (VA)
Michigan (MI) West Virginia (WV)
Minnesota (MN) Wisconsin (WI)
Montana (MT) Wyoming (WY)
SPECIAL POLICY ADJUSTMENT:
This special policy covers the condition described above on vehicles in specific cold climate states for a period of six years or 72,000 miles. whichever occurs first, from the date the vehicle was originally placed in service, regardless of ownership. If piston replacement is required due to this condition, an engine replacement will be made at no charge to the owner rather than replacement of individual pistons. This Special Policy Adjustment applies ONLY to repairs required as a RESULT of the described condition; it does not cover other conditions which may necessitate a partial engine replacement.
This "Special Policy Adjustment Bulletin" should be filed in your "Special Policy Adjustment Bulletins" binder furnished to dealers by General Motors.
REIMBURSEMENT
Customer claims for reimbursement (including $100 deductible as stated in the warranty coverage) on previously paid repairs to replace pistons (or partial engine) as a result of premature piston wear due to low adhesion of tin plating, are to be submitted by August 31, 1994 (this time limitation may be longer depending upon the law in some states). Repairs must have occurred within 6 years of the date the vehicle was originally placed in service, or 72,000 miles, whichever occurs first.
Owners must submit original documentation that reasonably confirms the amount of unreimbursed repair expense, a description of the repair. the date of the repair, and the person or entity who performed the repair. Claims for customer reimbursement on previously paid repairs are to be submitted according to the Warranty Claim Information instructions. Use the "Owner Reimbursement" labor operation, and list all owner expenses concerning previous repairs in the net items column of the warranty claim.
INSTRUCTIONS
1 R.O # & DATE The dealership should enter the repair order number and date of the
reimbursement request.
2 WORK PERFORMED DATE
(MONTH, DAY) Date owner had work performed.
3 VEHICLE
IDENTIFICATION NUMBER VIN involved.
4 MILEAGE Enter mileage at time of repair. (If not available, enter "O".)
Should not be greater than 72,000 miles.
5 CC/FC Code is preprinted on form.
6 LABOR OPERATION Labor Operation is preprinted on form.
7 & 8 SUBLET DMN & Enter exact amount of reimbursement. No deductible will be taken. (Do
LINE TOTAL not enter parts or labor hours on claim.)
9 AUTH CODE If the total exceeds $1,000, the owner should mail the original Repair
Order, proof of ownership and proof of payment to Chevrolet Customer
Assistance, P.O. Box 7047, Troy, MI 48007-7047.
10 REQUESTED Dealer Service Manager enters the amount determined from owner
REIMBURSEMENT supplied invoices or paid receipts, which are covered.
11 APPROVED AMOUNT If the total exceeds $1,000, the owner should mail the original Repair
Order, proof of ownership and proof of payment to Chevrolet Customer
Assistance, P.O. Box 7047, Troy, MI 48007-7047.
12 740 STAMP See item # 11 to determine need for authorization.
13 DEALER REFERENCE
INFORMATION A Enter Document Number & Line Number on which claim was submitted.
B Enter Claim Memo Number and Date when claim is credited.
C Enter number of dealer check to owner, if applicable. Date check was
written, if applicable. Date copy of check was attached to OWNER
REQUEST FOR REIMBURSEMENT file.
14 OWNER INFORMATION Must include telephone number.
15 DEALER INFORMATION Includes Dealer Code, Dealer Name, Service Manager's signature and
social security number. To be completed by Service Manager.
16 EXPLAIN Should the dealer Service Manager determine, after review of owner's
invoices/receipts, that the reimbursement case is not eligible; Service
Manager should write reason on worksheet, explain to owner, and place a
copy of the worksheet in the vehicle history file.
17 The dealer is then to issue the owner a check for the reimbursement in the approved amount. A copy of the
check issued to the owner is to be attached to the dealer's file copy of the request and retained for 24
months from date of credit.