I can’t seem to trace a coolant leak in a 4.3L GM. Can you help?
A. Coolant loss on 1992-1997 4.3L GM VIN R & W engines has been, at times, difficult to detect. The cause of the coolant loss has been traced to cracks that may develop in the lifter valley area of the block and allow coolant to pass into the valley of the block. This loss of
The New Sport Compact Market
The most popular nameplates are imports such as Honda, Acura and Mitsubishi, but coming on fast are Nissan, Toyota, Mazda, Subaru and Volkswagen – plus domestic models such as Ford Focus, Dodge Neon and even Chevy Cavalier. Nobody is abandoning the small block Chevy or any of the other V8s that have traditionally been the
It
The AERA Technical Committee offers the following information regarding a revised intake manifold gasket for 1989-
The procedure for tightening TTY head bolts on GM 3.8L engines?
What is the procedure for tightening TTY head bolts on GM 3.8L engines? The AERA Technical Committee offers the following information regarding cylinder head installation for 1995-2002 GM 3.8L VIN K and 1 engines. AERA TB 1952 should be discarded. According to AERA, other published service information has been incomplete and this is the most
Reports that some 1999-2001 GM 2.2L VIN 4 engines tend to generate a droning noise that is especially noticeable at approximately 950 rpm after cold start up.
Engine Builders: There have been reports that some 1999-2001 GM 2.2L VIN 4 engines tend to generate a droning noise that is especially noticeable at approximately 950 rpm after cold start up. GM has identified the source as a natural resonant vibration of the air conditioning alternator drive belt. A revised belt, p/n 12575450, made
What’s Wrong With Our Industry
What’s wrong with the engine building industry today? It’s a simple question that has no simple answer. Like many other – if not every – industry facing difficult times, the factors impacting this market are varied, complex and frustratingly hard to pin down. Are the woes of the industry the fault of customers or suppliers?
What is the cylinder head installation procedure for the new GM 6.6L diesel engine?
What is the cylinder head installation procedure for the new GM 6.6L diesel engine? According to the AERA technical committee, there is a revised cylinder head installation procedure for 2001-2003 GM 6.6L VIN 1 diesel engines. These engines are referred to as Duramax diesels and are a result of a joint venture between GM and
Coolant contamination of engine oil for 1996-2003 GM 3.1L or 3.4L VIN J & E engines
Engine Builders: The AERA Technical Committee offers the following information regarding coolant contamination of engine oil for 1996-2003 GM 3.1L or 3.4L VIN J & E engines due to failure of the intake manifold gasket. GM has redesigned a new intake manifold gasket (p/n 89017279) to reduce the chance of failure. The material used in
Increased crankshaft journal dimensions for 1995-2002 Kia 1.8L VIN 5 engines.
Engine Builders: The AERA Technical Committee offers the following information on increased crankshaft journal dimensions for 1995-2002 Kia 1.8L VIN 5 engines. The main journal diameter for the crankshaft of this engine was increased beginning with the 1998 model year. Mazda manufactured these engines prior to 1998 while Kia manufactured all subsequent engines. Use caution
Cylinder head bolt replacement for 1997-2003 Ford 6.8L VIN S engines.
Engine Builders: The AERA Technical Committee offers the following information regarding cylinder head bolt replacement for 1997-2003 Ford 6.8L VIN S engines. This engine requires new replacement cylinder head bolts any time the head is installed. Follow the procedure listed below after all components have been thoroughly cleaned and prepped. Ensure that all surfaces of
Cylinder head stress plate for Caterpillar 3126 diesel engines.
Engine Builders: The AERA Technical Committee offers the following information regarding a revised cylinder head stress plate for Caterpillar 3126 diesel engines. Previously AERA published Technical Bulletin 1561 concerning a stress plate for this engine. The previously made plates covered a single cylinder and required multiple relocations of the plate to bore/hone all six cylinders.
PERA’S Core Corner
This month we are going to look at some issues that have certainly been identified in previous issues of Engine Builder. However, based upon the number of recent inquiries at PERA headquarters we thought it might be a good time to bring them to everyone’s attention again as a helpful reminder. First, is the 2.9L
The lower intake manifolds on some Ford vehicle models are not fitting correctly after machining
Engine Builders: Some AERA members have reported that the lower intake manifolds on some Ford vehicle models are not fitting correctly after machining. To reduce the likelihood of coolant contamination of engine oil, a revised, thicker intake gasket is now available for the 3.8L and 4.2L Ford car and truck engines. These models have VIN
Compromising the Seal
The head gasket is one of the most critical gaskets in an engine because it has to seal all of the combustion chambers as well as the coolant and oil passages between the head and block. The gasket has to provide a leak-free seal from the moment it is first installed, and maintain that seal
Ford Y-Block Engine Tricks
The Y-Block Ford is the successor to the flathead and Henry’s first OHV V-8 engine. They were built from 1954-’64 and installed in Fords, Mercurys, Edsels and Ford trucks. They came as 239, 254, 272, 292, and 312s. All along there were just enough cracked heads to become a nuisance, and efforts were made to
Rebuilding the Ford 4.6L SOHC Engine
The 4.6L was lower, shorter and lighter than the 302, but the base engine made more power than the 302, got better fuel economy and passed all the emission tests without a thermactor pump. Ford called it its “modular” engine because it was part of a whole new family of engines that were intended to
Improving engine balance on 1992-2001 GM 6.5L VIN 7, F, P, S and Y diesel truck engines
Engine Builders: The AERA Technical Committee offers the following information on improving engine balance on 1992-2001 GM 6.5L VIN 7, F, P, S and Y diesel truck engines. This information should be considered any time this engine is remanufactured. While some owners of these engines have accepted the original driveability condition as normal, others have
Engine Sludge Origins
Fresh engine oil is a clear, free-flowing liquid blend of base stock and additives that contains no fuel, water, coolant, dirt, or other contaminants. When regular engine oil changes are neglected, normally free-flowing lubricating oil breaks down, becomes contaminated, ceases to flow, and is transformed into a thick soup of waste products. That’s when
Rebuilding The Ford 3.8L Engine
They needed an economy engine that would fit in their new cars, and they needed it fast. They had a couple of old inline sixes and a small German V6, but none of them were designed for fuel economy or the coming emissions standards, and the 250 cid engine was so tall that it wouldn’t
Coretalk: September 2001
Ford Plans to Revamp Parts Distribution Network Ford Motor Co. is working to restructure and expand its United States parts distribution network to deliver service and repair parts to its dealers faster and more efficiently. Over the next three years, Ford plans to increase the number of parts distribution centers from 10 to 21, creating