7/1/2002
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1997-2002 GM 4.8, 5.3, 5.7 & 6.0L VIN V, T, G & U engines
Engine Builders: The AERA Technical Committee offers the following information for 1997-2002 GM 4.8, 5.3, 5.7 & 6.0L VIN V, T, G & U engines. These engines were manufactured with two different design connecting rod bolts beginning in 1999. Either design bolt, when used in pairs and properly tightened, may be used on a single connecting rod.
The service manual did not reflect that information until the 2000 model year publication.
Important: When replacing the connecting rod bolts, both bolts MUST be of the same design for each connecting rod assembly. The use of different design connecting rod bolts on the same connecting rod may lead to uneven clamp loads and/or connecting rod bearing bore distortion. The different bolt designs require different torque values.
Refer to Figure 1 to identify the type of connecting rod bolt being used before attempting to tighten.
The first design connecting rod bolt is identified by a single dimple mark on the head and has no retaining sleeve on the bolt shank. To properly tighten the first design bolts, torque to 15 ft.lbs., then bolt 60° using J36660 or aftermarket equivalent.
The second design connecting rod bolt is identified by two dimples/marks on the head of the bolt and incorporates a retaining sleeve on the bolt shank. To properly tighten the second design bolt torque to 15 ft.lbs., then rotate 75° using J36660 or aftermarket equivalent.
Engine Builders: Excessive noise from the front of the engine near the timing chain cover on 1993-’98 Nissan 2.4L KA24DE engines may cause customer complaints.
This noise may be caused by a broken tension-side timing chain guide on the lower chain. Nissan now offers a new metal-backed tension-side timing chain guide to help resolve these complaints.
To install the revised timing chain guide, follow the steps listed below.
1. Remove the two bolts that secure the tension-side guide to the cylinder block.
2. Install the new guide and the two new bolts.
3. Before reassembly, inspect the slack side chain guide for excessive wear and confirm that the tensioner oil supply passage in the cylinder head is clear and not blocked by debris. Inspect the chain for cracks or excessive wear in the chain links as shown in Figure 3. If the chain is replaced, spin the idler by hand to feel for roughness or play and listen for noise.
Remove and discard the two upper timing chain guides and bolts as shown in Figure 2.