Owner Letter
RECALL CAMPAIGN No. 93V-015Dear BMW Owner:
In 1993 BMW AG determined that a defect, which relates to motor vehicle safety, exists in certain 1984 - 1993 Model year BMW 3-Series automobiles. Our records indicate that you are the owner of a potentially affected vehicle and that this recall was not performed on your automobile.
This notice was originally sent in accordance with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act during the period of June 1993- April 1994 to the registered owner (as ascertained from States Motor Vehicle Registration data). This mailing is intended as a follow-up.
DESCRIPTION OF DEFECT
The coolant system of your car is composed of a number of components that are exposed to continuous thermal and mechanical loading. The malfunction or failure of a coolant system component, such as a thermostat, water pump or fan belt, can result in significantly increased coolant temperature and system pressure.
If the indications (e.g., movement of coolant temperature gauge needle into red zone) of such a critical overheating condition are not heeded by the driver, and if, in addition, the vehicle is operated under high-load conditions such that the elevated pressure cannot be adequately relieved, it is possible that damage to, or failure of, a coolant system component could occur.
If a crack were to form in the end piece of the heater core, coolant could be expelled, perhaps suddenly. In some cases, the coolant could contact the lower right leg of the driver, possibly resulting in injury.
It is also possible that, in some cases, coolant expelled from the heater core as vapor could cause fogging of the interior surfaces of the windows, reducing the driver's field of view.
DESCRIPTION OF MODIFICATION
To minimize the likelihood that any coolant system malfunction could lead to cracking of the heater core end piece, BMW will install a thermostatic bypass valve in the engine compartment to control coolant temperature in the heater core. Also, a new design radiator cap will be installed, to control pressure and provide greater coolant overflow in the event of overheating.
This modification will require approximately one hour and will be performed free of charge by your Authorized BMW Center
PRECAUTIONS
1. CONTACT YOUR AUTHORIZED BMW CENTER TO HAVE THE NECESSARY MODIFICATION PERFORMED.
2. In the meantime, you should avoid driving your car under high engine load conditions (e.g., fully packed or with trailer, in mountains with steep or long inclines).
3. If the coolant temperature gauge in the instrument cluster moves into the red zone, indicating an overheating condition, follow this procedure:
- turn the rotary heater temperature control knob fully counterclockwise to the maximum cold position,
- pull over to a safe area, out of the mainstream of traffic and stop the engine immediately,
- contact the nearest BMW center for diagnosis and repair of the overheating condition and do not drive the car until it is repaired.
4. Proper maintenance of the coolant system will prevent engine overheating.
5. If you are not the sole driver of your car, please advise all other drivers of these necessary precautions.
OTHER INFORMATION
If you are no longer the owner of this vehicle, we would appreciate your furnishing us with the name and address of the new owner, using the enclosed return postage-paid card.
Should you have any questions about this campaign, please contact your Authorized BMW center.
We appreciate your confidence in our product, and we wish to do everything we can to retain your confidence.
Should you need additional assistance, you may contact BMW Customer Relations at 1-800-831-1117 between 9:00 AM and 9:00 PM, Eastern Time, Monday through Friday.
If the BMW center is unable to remedy the defect without charge or within a reasonable period of time, you may notify the Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Washington D.C. 20590, or call the toll-free Auto Safety Hotline at 1-800-424-9393 (Washington, D.C. area residents may call 202-366-0123).
BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.