The purpose of New Product Information is to highlight or indicate important
product changes from the previous model year.
Changes may include one or more of the following items:
| • | Torque values and/or fastener tightening strategies |
| • | Changed engine specifications |
| • | New sealants and/or adhesives |
| • | Disassembly and assembly procedure revisions |
| • | Engine mechanical diagnostic procedure revisions |
| • | New special tools required |
| • | A component comparison from the previous year |
Torque Values and/or Fastener Tightening Strategies
| • | All fasteners and threaded holes on the 5.3 liter engine utilize
metric threads. |
| • | Cylinder head, connecting rod, crankshaft balancer, and main bearing
cap bolts now apply a torque angle strategy. |
| • | Certain fasteners should not be used again. Bolts, studs, or other fasteners
that must be replaced will be called out in the specific service procedure. |
New Sealants and/or Adhesives
Canadian SPO Part Numbers have been added.
Disassembly and Assembly Procedure Revisions
| • | The piston, pin, and connecting rod are to be serviced as an assembly. |
| • | Newer design pistons have a graphite coated piston skirt. The coated skirt
outside diameter (OD) may be slightly larger than the cylinder bore inside
diameter (ID) and the piston assembly may have a slight interference fit to
the cylinder bore during initial installation. |
Changed Engine Specifications
Engine specification table contents and format have been commonized.
Engine Mechanical Diagnostic Procedure Revisions
All diagnosis on a vehicle should follow a logical process. Strategy based diagnostics
is a uniform approach for repairing all systems. The diagnostic flow may always be
used in order to resolve a system problem. The diagnostic flow is the place to start
when repairs are necessary. For a detailed explanation, refer to
Strategy Based Diagnosis
in General Information or
Diagnostic Starting Point - Engine Mechanical
.
New Special Tools Required
| • | A variety of new tools have been developed to assist in engine disassembly,
assembly, and on-vehicle service. |
| • | J 45299 has been
developed to prelube new or remanufactured engines/bearings prior to engine installation.
Refer to
Engine Prelubing
. |
A Component Comparison from the Previous Year
| • | A new 5.3L engine has been developed and is identified as RPO LM4 VIN P. |
| • | 5.3L LM4 engines use an aluminum engine block. |
| • | Certain applications use a multi-layer steel design cylinder head
gasket. |
| • | A new electronic throttle body will be used on all applications. |
| • | The exhaust gas recirculation (ERG) system has been removed. |
| • | A new aluminum oil pan which accommodates the FWD axle |
| • | All 2003 applications use a piston with a graphite coated skirt. |
