Page 1 of 6 Document ID: 2672596 #PI0356A: Water Leak Guidelines for Interior Odor/Musty Smell or Rear Seat Footwell Full of Water - (Jun 8, 2011) Subject: Models: Water Leak Guidelines for Interior Odor/Musty Smell or Rear Seat Footwell Full of Water 2006-2011 Buick Lucerne 2006-2011 Cadillac DTS This PI is being revised to include past models back to 2006. Please discard PI0356. The following diagnosis might be helpful if the vehicle exhibits the symptom(s) described in this PI. Condition/Concern Some customers may comment on an interior odor/musty smell or that the rear seat footwell is full of water. The cause of this condition may be that water is entering the left front hinge pillar area through an unsealed location(s), and then is leaking into the passenger compartment of the vehicle. Recommendation/Instructions 2011 General Motors. All rights reserved.
Page 2 of 6 Note: The graphic above shows voids (1) in a rear view of the RIGHT body side hood hinge, and is being used for illustration purposes only. The repair will always be to the LEFT side hinge. Voids in the sealer at the left body side hood hinge flange have been found in both the Lucerne and DTS models. A possible void in the sealant on a left hinge pillar seam is specific to DTS and is addressed as a second repair location in the DTS instructions only. After inspecting and verifying the water leak condition, repair the leak following the appropriate set of instructions below: For Buick Lucerne Repairs Remove the wiper arms and air inlet grille panel to access the left body side hood hinge. Refer to Air Inlet Grille Panel Replacement in SI. Inspect the body side hood hinge and inner reinforcement flanges for any voids in the sealer.
Page 3 of 6 Clean the affected area and seal any voids with Kent High Tech Clear Seam Sealer P/N P10200 (5 oz tube), or equivalent. Reinstall the air inlet grille panel and wiper arms. Refer to Air Inlet Grille Panel Replacement in SI. For Cadillac DTS Repairs Detach the left end (1) of the hood rear seal enough to access the left body side hood hinge. Refer to Hood Rear Seal Replacement in SI. Inspect the body side hood hinge and inner reinforcement flanges for any voids in the sealer.
Page 4 of 6 Clean the affected area and seal the void with Kent High Tech Clear Seam Sealer P/N P10200 (5 oz tube), or equivalent. Reposition and reattach the left end of the hood rear seal. Refer to Hood Rear Seal Replacement in SI. Note: A possible second water leak location, which is specific to DTS, can be found at a factory applied sealant bead. The ripples in the sealer may provide leak paths to the body seam that the sealer is covering. It is necessary to seal these paths from both the bottom and top of the bead.
Page 5 of 6 In order to gain access to the left front hinge pillar area circled in the above graphic, partially remove the left front wheelhouse liner. Refer to Front Wheelhouse Liner Replacement in SI. Inspect the sealant bead, circled above, on the hinge pillar seam for any voids in sealer. Clean the top edge (white arrows) and bottom edge (black arrows) of the sealant bead, and seal both edges with Kent High Tech Clear Seam Sealer P/N P10200 (5 oz tube), or equivalent. Reinstall the left front wheelhouse liner. Refer to Front Wheelhouse Liner Replacement in SI. Parts Information
Page 6 of 6 High Tech Clear Seam Sealer is available from Kent Automotive at 1-800-654-6333 (in Canada, 1-800-563-1717) or online at www.kent-automotive.com. Part Number Description Qty P10200 Kent High Tech Clear 5 oz Warranty Information For vehicles repaired under warranty, use: Labor Operation Description Labor Time B9965* Apply Sealer Left Hood Hinge Flange (Lucerne/DTS) and Hinge Pillar Seam (DTS only) 0.4 hr *This is a unique labor operation for bulletin use only. It will not be published in the Labor Time Guide. GM bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians, NOT a "do-it-yourselfer". They are written to inform these 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 knowhow 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 your GM dealer for information on whether your vehicle may benefit from the information. WE SUPPORT VOLUNTARY TECHNICIAN CERTIFICATION