Campaign - Connecting Rod Bearing Replacement: Overview
NO: SC-89-001 REVISIONDATE: November, 1989
MODEL: Starion
SUBJECT:
STARION CONNECTING ROD BEARING REPLACEMENT
This bulletin supersedes SC-89-001 dated June, 1989, which should be discarded.
PURPOSE
This bulletin describes a new connecting rod bearing that is available for Starions. The material in the bearing has been changed from aluminum alloy to copper/lead alloy.
Starions produced between July, 1987 and March, 1989 should have the aluminum alloy connecting rod bearings replaced with the ones made of copper/lead alloy.
--> MMSA is sending a letter to owners of these vehicles urging them to have the connecting rod bearings replaced along with a complimentary oil and filter change. A sample of the customer letter is shown in this bulletin.
--> If you have a 1988 or 1989 Starion produced between the above dates in Dealer inventory, the connecting rod bearings should be replaced prior to selling the vehicle.
--> If the original connecting rod bearings have already been replaced in any of the affected Starions, you will need to replace them again with the new copper/lead bearings.
Crankshaft main bearings are not part of this service campaign.
DETAILS OF CHANGE
Beginning March, 1989 the turbocharged G54B engine in the Starion has a new style connecting rod bearing material made of copper/lead alloy (kelmet). Due to the engine horsepower & torque increase that occurred in 1988, the connecting rod bearings should be replaced on 1988/1989 Starions.
Note:
The older style aluminum alloy bearings are still appropriate for use in the G54B engines found in the Truck and Montero, as well as the G54B engine found in 1983-1987 Starions.
PARTS INFORMATION
ATTENTION PARTS MANAGER:
2 initial allocations of connecting rod bearing kits, # MD156678, are being sent automatically to your dealership. Please withhold ordering additional kits until both of the initial allocations are accounted for.
WARRANTY INFORMATION
Service Campaign Submission Information
All claims for this procedure must be submitted as a claim type "C"... option "E5 Recall Claims" on your Diamond Network Warranty System.
Use Service Campaign Operation Number: C8902C00
Time Allowance: 2.3 hours
A sample of a direct entry Service Campaign Claim submission is shown in this bulletin. The sample should be followed exactly for proper claim submission.
Note:
If the crankshaft shows signs of damage, scoring, or excessive wear observe normal warranty procedures. Any additional repairs must be submitted on a separate warranty (W) claim.