LUBRICANTS
No. 187
June 2, 1960

TO ALL ROOTES GROUP DEALERS

FACTORY-FILL BREAK-IN LUBRICANTS

A number of instances have come to our attention where owners have not returned to the selling Dealer at the first 500 mile interval to have the original factory-fill break-in lubricants drained and refilled with the proper viscosity replacement oils.

Due to close machining tolerances in the engine, gearbox and rear axle assemblies, break-in oils are a necessity. In the process of running in, however, there is always some possibility of some metallic particles and foreign material, the resultants of running in, contaminating the major assembly lubricants as well as the oil filter cartridge.

Retention of contaminated oils in the major assemblies can over extended periods be detrimental tn the life and/or economical operation of the vehicle.

Prudent judgment for the continuation of owner satisfaction without a serious or even costly mishap suggests that all Dealers advise new car owners of the importance of having the original factory-fill oils in the engine, gearbox and rear axle assemblies drained and refilled at the first 500 miles of running in.

By adhering to this recommendation all Dealers will be offering their new car owners one more preventative maintenance service in the owners’ interests, not to mention the increased service shop revenue through the sale of these lubricants to owners.

Kindly bring the above to the attention of all concerned.

ROOTES MOTORS INCORPORATED

F.J. McGettrick
Manager
Wholesale Parts & Service Depts.

NUMBER:60-184
DATE: May 31, 1960
GROUP: TRANSMISSION & OVERDRIVE
MODEL: SUNBEAM RAPIER AND ALPINE

SUBJECT: “D” TYPE OVERDRIVE OIL LEAKS

TO ALL ROOTES GROUP DEALERS

For some time we have investigated a few cases of overdrive failure due to oil loss which became associated with sustained high speed driving.

It is felt that to overcome this condition it is prudent judgment to re-introduce the exterior air balance pipe which our overseas production has adopted from Chassis No. B3005253 Rapier and B9005038 Alpine.

An additional suggestion is to blank off the overdrive breather with a plug, Part No. 9804020.

In known cases of customers who are habitual sustained high speed motorists it is suggested that the overdrives on these vehicles be inspected for the balance pipe and blanking plug and if not already fitted, to install these items to eliminate the possibility of oil leakage from the overdrive unit coupled with a possible subsequent failure of the unit due to the lack of lubricant.

The forementioned balance pipes and blanking plugs are available through our Parts Depot under the respective corresponding Part Numbers.

Kindly bring the above to the attention of all concerned.

ROOTES MOTORS INCORPORATED

F.J. McGettrick
Manager
Wholesale Parts & Service Depts.