SPECIAL POLICY: CRACKED EXHAUST MANIFOLD
MODELS/YEARS: 1985-86 FIRENZA WITH 2.0L ENGINES (CALIFORNIA EMISSIONS ONLY)
CONDITION
General Motors has determined that some 1985-86 Oldsmobile Firenzas built with 2.0L 4-cyl., RPO LQ5, VIN Code "P" engine (California Emissions Only, RPO NB2), may experience a cracked exhaust manifold which could result in excessive engine noise.
VEHICLES INVOLVED
Involved are all 1985-86 Oldsmobile Firenzas built with 2.0L LQ5 engines, VIN Code "P" (California Emissions Only, NB2), built from Start-of-Production to End-of-Production.
NOTE: This policy applies to those vehicles produced with 2.0L RPO LQ5 4-cyl. engines (California Emissions Only), regardless of current state residence of the owner.
SPECIAL POLICY ADJUSTMENT
This special policy covers the condition described above for those vehicles over 50,000 miles. A one time free inspection and, if necessary, free replacement of a cracked exhaust manifold (regardless of time/mileage) for three (3) months (90 days) from date of the owner letter is provided for by the "Special Policy". Correction will consist of the installation of a new exhaust manifold and exhaust pipe seal, at no charge to the owner. This "Special Policy Adjustment Bulletin" should be filed in the three ring binder previously furnished to dealers by General Motors.
OWNER NOTIFICATION
Owners will be notified of this special policy on their vehicles by Oldsmobile Divison (see copy of the owner letter included with this bulletin).
REIMBURSEMENT
Customer claims for reimbursement on previously paid repairs to correct an exhaust manifold leak, are to be submitted within 3 months (90 days) from the date of the owner letter. Owners must submit original documentation that reasonably confirms the amount of unreimbursed repair expenses, a description of the repair, the date of the repair, and the person or entity performing the repair. Claims for customer reimbursement on previously paid repairs are to be submitted according to the Warranty Claim Information instructions. Use the "Owner Reimbursement" labor operation and list all owner expenses concerning previous repairs in the net items column of the warranty claim.
SERVICE PROCEDURE
INSPECTION
1. PLACE TRANSAXLE SHIFT LEVER IN "PARK" (AUTOMATIC), NEUTRAL (MANUAL); BLOCK THE DRIVE WHEELS AND FIRMLY APPLY THE PARKING BRAKE. Start the engine, lift the hood and listen for an audible exhaust noise while increasing the engine speed.
2. A check for a leaking seal, exhaust manifold to exhaust pipe (donut) should be performed prior to exhaust manifold replacement. If the seal leaks, replace it and rerun the inspection (WITH THE WHEELS BLOCKED AND PARKING BRAKE APPLIED) before exhaust manifold replacement. Do NOT replace exhaust manifold if it is not leaking.
MANIFOLD REPLACEMENT
IMPORTANT The oxygen sensor uses a permanently attached pigtail and connector. This pigtail should not be removed from the oxygen sensor. Damage or removal of the pigtail or connector could affect proper operation of the sensor.
Take care when handling the oxygen sensor. The in-line electrical connector and louvered end must be kept free of grease, dirt, or other contaminants. Also, avoid using cleaning solvents of any type. Do not drop or roughly handle the sensor.
1. Disconnect battery ground cable from battery.
2. Disconnect oxygen sensor electrical connector.
3. Carefully remove oxygen sensor from exhaust manifold.
4. Remove engine oil dipstick.
5. Remove air cleaner hot air duct hose.
6. Remove the screw retaining the dipstick tube bracket (and A/C suction line bracket, if so equipped).
7. Loosen the generator support to generator bolt, remove the two generator bracket to generator bolts, being careful not to lose spacer used at the left generator to bracket bolt.
8. Remove the generator belt from the generator pulley, rotate the generator upward and install the left generator to bracket bolt loosely so that it acts as a stop against the bracket preventing the generator from rotating too far downward.
9. Raise the vehicle.
10. Disconnect the exhaust pipe from the exhaust manifold.
11. Lower the vehicle.
12. Remove exhaust manifold to cylinder head bolts, lift the exhaust manifold off the exhaust pipe flange and remove the exhaust manifold from the cylinder head.
13. Clean all mating surfaces, bolts, and bolt holes.
14. Reverse the manifold removal procedure and torque the fasteners to the following specifications:
Exhaust manifold bolt: 53 N.m (39 Lbs. ft.) Generator Brkt. to Head: 53 N.m (37 Lbs. ft.) Generator Brace: 53 N.m (37 Lbs. ft.) Generator Pivot Bolt: 53 N.m (37 Lbs. ft.) Generator Adjustment Bolt: 24 N.m (18 Lbs. ft.)
IMPORTANT New or service oxygen sensors will already have a special anti-seize compound on the threads. If a sensor is removed from an engine, and if it is reinstalled, the threads must have anti-seize compound applied before reinstallation.
15. Coat threads of oxygen sensor with anti-seize compound P/N 5613695 or equivalent if necessary.
16. Reinstall sensor in manifold, torque to 41 N.m (30 Lbs. ft.).
17. Reconnect sensor electrical connector.
18. Connect battery ground cable to the battery.
PARTS INFORMATION
To ensure parts are obtained as soon as possible, order them from General Motors Service Parts Operations (GMSPO) on a C.I.O. order, with NO special instruction code, but order on an advise code (2).
PART NUMBER DESCRIPTION QUANTITY/VEHICLE ----------- ----------- ---------------- 14066036 Manifold & HT Stove Ass'y, Exhaust 1
14093542 Seal, Exhaust Manifold Pipe 1
WARRANTY CLAIM INFORMATION
Submit a claim with the information indicated below for those vehicles beyond 5 years/50,000 miles.
Use the applicable warranty labor operation number for those vehicles within 5 years/50,000 miles.
REPAIR PROCEDURE TC LAB-OP LHRS ---------------- -- ------ ----- Inspect for Leak 95 T1518 0.2
Install New Manifold 95 T1519 1.3
Inspect for Leak, Replace Seal Only 95 T1527 0.3
Owner Reimbursement 95 T1520
Part Allowance: Current dealer price, plus 30% handling allowance.
Dear Oldsmobile Owner:
As the owner of a 1985-86 Oldsmobile Firenza equipped with your continued satisfaction with our product is of utmost concern to us. Your vehicle was provided with a new vehicle warranty as well as an emission warranty which covers certain parts of your vehicle for a specified period. These warranties are of considerable value to you if you experience problems with your vehicle.
This letter is intended to make you aware that some vehicles have experienced a cracked exhaust manifold. The cost to repair this condition may be as much as $200.00. The affected part is listed in the California Emission Warranty Parts List and is covered under the California emission warranty for 5 years/50,000 miles, whichever occurs first.
Leakage may be detected by listening for excessive engine noise duirng acceleration. You need to return to your servicing Oldsmobile dealer for a free inspection only if you notice this problem. If the above mentioned condition exists and your vehicle is within the 5 year/50,000 mile California Emission Warranty, it will be repaired free of charge. If you previously paid for this repair, you should contact your Oldsmobiel dealer within 3 months (90 days) from the date of this letter or request reimbursements. Vehicles beyond the 5 year/50,000 mile period will be inspected and repaired free of charge for a period of 3 months (90 days) from the date of this letter.
If the above condition exists, please contact your Oldsmobile dealer as soon as possible to arrange a service date. Instrucitons for making this correction have been sent to your dealer. The overall time to process your vehicle and allow for manifold cooling and replacement, if necessary, may take a few hours. Please ask your dealer if you desire an estimate of the time required.
This letter identifies your vehicle. Presentation of this letter to your dealer will assist in making the necessary inspection/correction in the shortest possible time.
We are sorry to cause you this inconvenience; however, we have taken this action in the interest of your continued satisfaction with our products.
General Motors bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians, not a "do-it-yourselfer". They are written to inform those 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 know-how 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 a General Motors dealer servicing your brand of General Motors vehicle for information on whether your vehicle may benefit from the information.
