Recall - Coolant System Overheating
Group 00Maintenance and
General Hints
Bulletin Number
00 10 93 (3771)
Woodcliff Lake, NJ
June 1993
Product Engineering
This Service Information bulletin supersedes S.I. 00 10 93 (3771) dated May 1993. Changes are found in the shaded areas. Please remove and discard S.I. 00 10 93 (3771) dated May 1993 from your S.I. binder.
Update your E30 Coolant System Recall binders by removing S.I. 00 10 93 (3771) dated May 1993, and inserting copies of this S.I. 00 10 93 (3771) dated June 1993.
SUBJECT:
Coolant System Recall Campaign No. 93V-015
MODELS:
1984-93 E30 (3 Series Vehicles)
Situation:
BMW of North America, Inc. has voluntarily initiated a recall campaign involving the coolant system of these vehicles.
This Service Information bulletin outlines specific procedures for the implementation of the campaign.
Description of Defect:
Refer to the copy of the customer recall notification letter attached to this S.I.
Conduct of Campaign:
This campaign affects approximately 375,000 vehicles. Due to limited parts availability and workshop capacities, this campaign will be carried out using a staggered customer mailing, versus informing all customers at the same time.
The initial customer recall notification letters will be mailed out during the week of May 31, 1993. Mailings will continue on a staggered basis dependent on current parts stock/supply. Generally, customers of older vehicles will be notified first.
What this means is that you will NOT automatically modify every E30 that comes into your shop for repair. You will only modify a car that's identified as currently eligible through your DCS System or if the owner presents a customer notification letter.
One exception to this is a vehicle which has come into your dealership with an engine overheating problem. Such vehicles are to have the coolant system modification performed before the vehicle is returned to the customer. Contact your Regional Warranty Representative with the VIN of that vehicle, to allow for campaign claim entry on that vehicle.
Also you should not approach your customers ahead of time. The reason for this unusual procedure is that our limited parts supply will only allow us to deal with a set number of customers at any given time. So we will only notify the number of customers that we can service with the parts we have on hand.
Entry of vehicles into the DCS System will be concurrent with the customer mailings. At the same time, updated chassis number range listings will be issued to all dealers.
In order to determine if a specific vehicle is currently eligible for this recall, it will be necessary to utilize the "Service Menu" of the DCS (Dealer Communication System). Proceed to "Inquiries; "Vehicle History" and enter the chassis number (last seven characters) of the vehicle in question. Based on the response of the system, either proceed with the corrective action or take no further action at this time.
Note:
If a customer presents the customer notification letter (for that chassis number) it is not necessary to inquire on DCS. Perform the required modification.
Should it become necessary to perform the modification on a vehicle that is not currently eligible, contact your Regional Warranty Representative with the VIN of that vehicle, as the warranty system will not accept the claim for this modification. Refer to S.I. 01 05 91 (3300) for Regional Warranty Representative information.
To assist your dealership with this recall, BMW is shipping to the attention of the service manager, the following information:
Two - E30 coolant system recall binders, containing:
Service Information bulletin - Administrative Service Information bulletin - M10 modification M10 chassis number range listing Service Information bulletin - M20 modification M20 chassis number range listing Service Information bulletin - M42 modification M42 chassis number range listing Service Information bulletin - S14 modification S14 chassis number range listing
One binder should be kept in the service reception area for service advisor usage and the other in the workshop area for the technicians/shop foreman.
The Service Informations will not be updated. The chassis number range listings will be updated with every customer mailing. Be sure to keep both binders up-to-date by entering updated chassis number range listings in both binders immediately after you receive them.
Parts requirement list (included in this S.I.)
Lists parts required for each engine type with cross reference to S.I. and defect code numbers.
Technical/Administrative video
Visual explanation of the technical and administrative aspects relating to this recall.
Correction:
As this modification will not prevent engine overheating, any problems (i.e., mechanical defects, improper coolant level/antifreeze protection level, etc.), with the coolant system should be corrected before performing the recall modification.
Such repairs are not reimbursable under this recall campaign. Some vehicles may still be covered by the BMW New Vehicle Limited Warranty. In cases where no warranty coverage is provided, the customer must be made aware of the required repairs, and their liability for payment, before such repairs are made.
Replace the radiator cap with a new version to control system pressure and provide greater coolant overflow in the event of overheating. Install thermostatic bypass valve and associated installation hardware to control coolant temperature in the heater core.
Attached to this S.I. you will find illustrations which demonstrate how the bypass valve operates. Please use this when explaining the modification procedure to a customer.
Note:
If during the modification the coolant supply and/or return hoses are found to be damaged (ripped/torn), so that they are no longer watertight, the hose(s) must be replaced.
Hoses will be placed on "return indicator" for inspection in the WPRC.
One exception is the M20 models. On these, the coolant supply hose is replaced as part of this campaign.
Parts Information:
BMW will pre-allocate initial quantities of required parts. Quantities will be based on a percentage of cars your dealership has retailed.
A Parts Information bulletin providing more detail on affected parts will be mailed to your dealership's Parts Manager.
It is very important that dealership Service Managers maintain contact with Parts Managers regarding available Inventory. Service departments should not schedule appointments until parts for an individual modification are in stock at the dealership.
The list of parts that will be shipped automatically: (See the attached parts requirements chart for more detail.)
Warranty Information:
Parts and labor are reimbursable through Campaign Entry.
Refer to the appropriate Service Information bulletin for specific special defect codes and work package numbers: