Campaign 98017(A) - Increased Oil Consumption, Engines Built Before 10.27.97

This bulletin is being revised to update labor time information and to include a service procedure for S-Trucks. Please discard Product Recall Campaign Bulletin Number 98017 (Section 6 -- Engine).

General Motors has decided that some 1998 J-Car and S-Truck model vehicles equipped with the 2.2 L engine, (VIN Code 4, RPO LN2), may exhibit increased oil consumption. This condition is the result of the valve rocker arm cover design and certain driving patterns, (above average amounts of hard acceleration and coasting). If the vehicle owner is unaware of this increased oil consumption and does not check the oil level and replenish as necessary, the oil level in the crankcase may become low enough to cause engine damage.

To prevent the possibility of this condition occurring, dealers are to inspect and, if necessary, replace the Valve Rocker Arm Cover.

Involved are some 1998 J-Car and S-Truck model vehicles equipped with the 2.2 L Engine, (VIN Code 4, RPO LN2), and built within the following VIN breakpoints:

Important: Dealers should confirm vehicle eligibility through VISS (Vehicle Information Service System) or ServiceNet (GMC only) prior to beginning campaign repairs. [Not all vehicles within the above breakpoints may be involved.]

Involved vehicles have been identified by Vehicle Identification Number. Computer listings containing the complete Vehicle Identification Number, customer name and address data have been prepared, and are being furnished to involved dealers with the campaign bulletin. The customer name and address data furnished will enable dealers to follow-up with customers involved in this campaign. Any dealer not receiving a computer listing with the campaign bulletin has no involved vehicles currently assigned.

These dealer listings may contain customer names and addresses obtained from State Motor Vehicle Registration Records. The use of such motor vehicle registration data for any other purpose is a violation of law in several states. Accordingly, you are urged to limit the use of this listing to the follow-up necessary to complete this campaign.

Parts required to complete this campaign are to be obtained from General Motors Service Parts Operations (GMSPO). Please refer to your "involved vehicles listing" prior to ordering parts. Normal orders should be placed on a DRO = Daily Replenishment Order. In an emergency situation, parts should be ordered on a CSO = Customer Special Order.

Customers will be notified of this campaign on their vehicles by General Motors one week after the original bulletin was issued in August, 1998 (see copy of typical customer letter included with this bulletin - actual divisional letter may vary slightly). Customers will NOT be notified of this bulletin revision.

All unsold new vehicles in dealers' possession and subject to this campaign MUST be held and inspected/repaired per the service procedure of this campaign bulletin BEFORE customers take possession of these vehicles.

Dealers are to service all vehicles subject to this campaign at no charge to customers, regardless of mileage, age of vehicle, or ownership, from this time forward.

Customers who have recently purchased vehicles sold from your vehicle inventory, and for which there is no customer information indicated on the dealer listing, are to be contacted by the dealer. Arrangements are to be made to make the required correction according to the instructions contained in this bulletin. This could be done by mailing to such customers a copy of the customer letter accompanying this bulletin. Campaign follow-up cards should not be used for this purpose, since the customer may not as yet have received the notification letter.

In summary, whenever a vehicle subject to this campaign enters your vehicle inventory, or is in your dealership for service in the future, please take the steps necessary to be sure the campaign correction has been made before selling or releasing the vehicle.

1. Inspect the valve rocker arm cover for a cast identification pad, (See Figure 1). The identification pad will be located on the rear (transmission) end of the valve rocker arm cover toward the intake manifold side of the engine (1). If the vehicle already has a valve rocker arm cover with this identification pad, DO NOT REPLACE THE VALVE ROCKER ARM COVER, skip to step 3. If the rocker arm cover does not have this identification pad, proceed with step 2.
2. If the vehicle has a valve rocker arm cover that does not have the identification pad, replace the valve rocker arm cover with GM P/N 24577253 using service procedures outlined in the Engine Mechanical Section of the appropriate Service Manual.
3. Install the Campaign Identification Label

1. Inspect the valve rocker arm cover for a cast identification pad, (See Figure 1). The identification pad will be located on the rear (transmission) end of the valve rocker arm cover toward the intake manifold side of the engine (1). If the vehicle already has a valve rocker arm cover with this identification pad, DO NOT REPLACE THE VALVE ROCKER ARM COVER, skip to step 39. If the rocker arm cover does not have this identification pad, proceed with step 2.
2. Drain the Engine Cooling system.
3. Remove the Power Brake Booster vacuum hose.
4. Remove air cleaner outlet resonator bolt.
5. Remove clamp at throttle body.
6. Remove air cleaner vent duct from air cleaner.
7. Remove air cleaner vent hose and clamp from valve cover.
8. Remove air cleaner resonator.
9. Remove Accelerator Control Cable from Throttle Body.
10. Remove Cruise Control cable from Throttle Body (if equipped).
11. Remove Spark Plug wire retainer from water pipe.
12. Remove Spark Plug wires.
13. Remove EGR Pipe.
14. Remove EGR Valve.
15. Remove Throttle Body.
16. Remove the engine wire harness bracket from the rear of the engine.
17. Remove bolts from water pipe and air cleaner bracket wiring.
18. Remove heater hose and Coolant Temperature Sensor connector from the water pipe.
19. Remove radiator outlet adapter and water outlet pipe.

Important: Do not attempt to pull on, twist, or bend, the heater pipe portion of the water outlet pipe to remove the Rocker Arm Cover. Doing so will damage the pipe joint and will create a leak.

20. Remove Valve Rocker arm cover.
21. Install Valve Rocker arm Cover GM P/N 24577253.

Tighten
Tighten the Valve Rocker Arm Cover bolts in sequence to 10 N·m (89 lb in). (See Figure 2)

22. Install the Water Outlet Adapter and a new Water Outlet Adapter gasket, GM P/N 24576532.

Tighten
Tighten the water outlet adapter bolts to 26 N·m (19 lb ft).

23. Install the coolant temperature sensor wiring and heater hose.
24. Install the Air Cleaner bracket.

Tighten
Tighten the Air Cleaner bracket bolts to 26 N·m (19 lb ft).

25. Install the water outlet pipe bolt.

Tighten
Tighten the water outlet pipe bolts to 26 N·m (19 lb ft).

26. Install engine wire harness bracket to the rear of the engine.

Tighten

•	Tighten the engine wire harness bracket to rocker arm cover bolts to 10 N·m 89 lb in).

•	Tighten the engine wire harness bracket to cylinder head bolt to 26 N·m (19 lb ft).

27. Install the EGR valve and a new EGR Valve Gasket, GM P/N 21006754.

Tighten
Tighten the EGR valve bolts to 26 N·m (19 lb ft).

28. Install the EGR pipe.

Tighten
Tighten the EGR pipe bolts to 10 N·m (89 lb in).

29. Install the Throttle Body and a new gasket, GM P/N 24575520.

Tighten
Tighten the Throttle Body bolts to 10 N·m (89 lb in).

30. Install the Cruise Control cable (if equipped).
31. Install the throttle control cable.
32. Install the Spark Plug wires.
33. Install the Spark Plug Wire retainer.
34. Install the Air Cleaner resonator.
35. Install the air cleaner vent hose and clamp to the valve cover.
36. Install the air cleaner resonator.
37. Install the brake booster vacuum hose.
38. Refill and bleed the engine cooling system.
39. Install the Campaign Identification Label

Each vehicle corrected in accordance with the instructions outlined in this Product Campaign Bulletin will require a "Campaign Identification Label". Each label provides a space to include the campaign number and the five (5) digit dealer code of the dealer performing the campaign service. This information may be inserted with a typewriter or a ball point pen.

Each "Campaign Identification Label" is to be located on the radiator core support in an area which will be visible when the vehicle is brought in by the customer for periodic servicing. When installing the Campaign Identification Label, be sure to pull the tab to allow the adhesion of the clear protective covering. Additional Campaign Identification Labels can be obtained from Dealer Support Materials by calling 1-888-414-6322 (Monday-Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Eastern Standard Time). Ask for Item Number S-1015 when ordering.

Apply the "Campaign Identification Label" only on a clean, dry surface.

Submit a Product Campaign Claim with the information indicated below. Refer to the General Motors Corporation Claims Processing Manual for details on Product Campaign Claim Submission.

Dear Chevrolet/Pontiac/GMC Customer:

This notice is sent to inform you of a recall campaign that includes your vehicle.

General Motors has decided that some 1998 J-Car and S-Truck model vehicles equipped with the 2.2 L engine, may exhibit increased oil consumption. This condition is the result of the valve rocker arm cover design and certain driving patterns, (above average amounts of hard acceleration and coasting). If you do not check the oil level and replenish as necessary, the oil level in the crankcase may become low enough to cause engine damage.

Your dealer will inspect the valve rocker arm cover and, if necessary, replace it. This service will be performed for you at no charge . We encourage you to bring your vehicle in for the necessary inspection even if you have never experienced the condition.

Please contact your dealer as soon as possible to arrange a service date and to assure parts availability. Instructions for making this correction have been sent to your dealer. Please ask your dealer if you wish to know how much time will be needed to schedule, process, and repair your vehicle.

If you experience any trouble scheduling your vehicle or you have any questions regarding this recall action, please contact the appropriate Customer Assistance/Relations Center at the number listed below:

The enclosed customer reply card identifies your vehicle. Presentation of this card to your dealer will assist in making the necessary correction in the shortest possible time. If you no longer own this vehicle, please let us know by completing the postage paid reply card and returning it to us.

We are sorry to cause you this inconvenience; however, we have taken this action in the interest of your continued satisfaction with our products.

Chevrolet Motor Division/Pontiac-GMC Division

General Motors Corporation

Enclosure