Defect Involved

General Motors has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in certain 1997 G Vans equipped with 6.5L turbo-charged diesel engines (L65). These vehicles exhibit a condition in which the front left-hand brake pipe may be contacted by the lower engine oil cooler hose. With contact, the oil cooler hose could wear a hole in the brake pipe during the life of the vehicle causing a loss of front brake performance and increased stopping distances. Partial loss of braking at a time when minimum stopping distance is required could result in a vehicle crash without prior warning.

To prevent the possibility of this condition occurring, dealers are to install an engine oil cooler hose bracket to prevent the lower engine oil cooler hose from contacting the brake pipe, and inspect the brake pipe for wear, and if required, replace the brake pipe.