GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 Oldsmobile 🢒 1999 🢒 Intrigue 🢒 Engine 🢒 Engine Mechanical - 3.5L 🢒 Piston, Connecting Rod, and Bearing Cleaning and Inspection

Piston Cleaning
  1. Clean the piston skirts and the pins with a cleaning solvent. DO NOT wire brush any part of the piston.
  2. Clean the piston ring grooves with a groove cleaner. Ensure that the oil ring holes and slots are clean.

    3. Caution: Wear safety glasses in order to avoid eye damage.

  3. Dry the piston with compressed air.

Piston Inspection

    Object Number: 156168 Size: SH
  1. Inspect the pistons for the following conditions:
    2. • Cracked ring lands, skirts, or pin bosses
    • Ring grooves for nicks, burrs that may cause binding
    • Warped or worn ring lands
    • Piston pin retainer grooves for burrs
    • Eroded areas at the top of the piston (1)
    • Scuffed or damaged skirts (2)
    • Worn piston pin bores (3) or worn piston pins
  2. Replace pistons that show any signs or damage or excessive wear.

Piston Measurement

    Object Number: 240845 Size: SH
  1. Measure piston width using the following procedure:
    2. 1.1. Using an outside micrometer, measure the width of the piston at 38 mm (1) (1.5 in) below the crown (top) at the thrust surfaces of the piston (perpendicular to the piston pin centerline).
    1.2. Compare the measurement of the piston to its original cylinder by subtracting the piston width from the cylinder diameter.
    1.3. Check your measurements with the Engine Mechanical Specifications .
    1.4. If the clearance obtained through measurement is greater than the provided specifications and the cylinder bores are within specification, replace the piston.

    Object Number: 4976 Size: SH
  2. Measure the piston pin bore to piston pin clearances using the following procedure:
    3. 2.1. Piston pin bores and pins must be free of varnish or scuffing.
    2.2. Use an outside micrometer to measure the piston pin in the piston contact areas.

    Object Number: 4975 Size: SH
  3. Using an inside micrometer, measure the piston pin bore.
  4. Compare your result with the piston diameter and piston to cylinder bore clearance listed in the Engine Mechanical Specifications .
  5. If the clearance is excessive, determine which piece is out of specification and replace as necessary.
  6. You must replace the piston if any of its dimensions are out of specification. There are no oversized pistons available.

Piston Ring Measurement

    Object Number: 4968 Size: SH
  1. Measure the piston ring end gap using the following procedure:
    2. 1.1. Place the piston ring in the area of the bore where the piston ring will travel (approximately 25 mm (1 in) down from the deck surface). Ensure that the ring is square with the cylinder bore by positioning the ring with the piston head.
    1.2. Measure the end gap of the piston ring with feeler gages. Refer to Engine Mechanical Specifications .
    1.3. If the clearance exceeds the provided specifications, the piston rings must be replaced.
    1.4. Repeat the procedure for all the piston rings.

    Object Number: 576560 Size: SH
  2. Measure the piston ring side clearance using the following procedure:
    3. 2.1. Roll the piston ring entirely around the piston ring groove. If any binding is caused by the ring groove, dress the groove with a fine file. If any binding is caused by a distorted piston ring, replace the ring.
    2.2. With the piston ring on the piston, use feeler gages to check clearance at multiple locations.
    2.3. Compare the measurements with piston ring side clearance listed in the Engine Mechanical Specifications .
    2.4. If the clearance is greater than specifications, replace the piston rings.

    Object Number: 562823 Size: SH
  3. When replacing the piston rings, only install re-ring sets that have a 1.2 mm (0.0472 in) thick steel upper compression ring and multi-piece oil rings. The top compression ring may be installed with either side up. There is a locating dimple on the 2nd compression ring near the end for identification of the top side. Install the 2nd compression ring with the dimple facing up.
  4. If the new ring does not reduce the clearance to the proper specification, install a new piston.

Connecting Rod Cleaning
  1. Clean the connecting rods in solvent.

    2. Caution: Wear safety glasses in order to avoid eye damage.

  2. Dry the connecting rod using compressed air.
  3. Remove the connecting rod cap and clean the threads. If you have not done so already, discard the connecting rod bolts (3). The bolts are not reusable.
  4. Remove the connecting rod bearing and discard. Never reuse a connecting rod bearing used in a running engine.

Connecting Rod Visual Inspection

    Object Number: 233855 Size: SH
  1. Inspect the piston pin bushing (4) for scoring or damage.
  2. Check the connecting rod beam (1) for twisting or bending.
  3. Check the rod cap (2) for any nicks or damage caused by possible interference.
  4. Inspect for scratches or abrasion on the rod bearing seating surface
  5. If the connecting rod bores contain minor scratches or abrasions, clean the bores in a circular direction with a light emery paper. DO NOT scrape the rod or rod cap.

Connecting Rod Measurement
  1. Using an outside micrometer, take two measurements of the piston pin in the area of the connecting rod contact.
  2. Using an inside micrometer, measure the connecting rod piston pin bore.
  3. Subtract the piston pin diameter from the piston pin bore.
  4. Compare the clearance measurements with the Engine Mechanical Specifications .
  5. If the clearance is excessive, replace the piston pin. If a new pin does not resolve the clearance problem, replace the connecting rod.