Engine - Overheating
Number 86-6(Gasoline)-62A Date 10/86Subject: ENGINE OVERHEAT, 5.0L V-8; LB9, LG4, AND L69 (VIN CODE "F," "H", AND "G")
1985-86 FIREBIRD MODELS WITH A/C
SOME OWNERS OF 1985-86 FIREBIRD MODELS EQUIPPED WITH A 5.0L V-8 ENGINES LISTED ABOVE AND AIR CONDITIONING, ARE RETURNING TO DEALERS BECAUSE OF AN ENGINE OVERHEATING CONDITION.
THIS CONDITION MAY BE CAUSED BY A LOSS OF ENGINE COOLANT AND/OR OWNER AGGRESSIVE DRIVING HABITS AND OCCURS MORE FREQUENTLY IN SITUATIONS WHERE THE TERRAIN IS HILLY AND AMBIENT TEMPERATURES REACH APPROXIMATELY 100 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT.
TO INCREASE AIR FLOW AND PROVIDE ADDITIONAL ENGINE COOLING, A FAN MODULE KIT AND BRACE RODS ARE AVAILABLE FROM WDDGM. ALSO REQUIRED, BUT ORDERED SEPARATELY, IS A 120 AMP GENERATOR.
THE FOLLOWING PROCEDURE IS RECOMMENDED WHEN CORRECTING RELATED ENGINE OVERHEATING PROBLEMS.
PROCEDURE:
1. DETERMINE IF ENGINE HAS BLOWN HEAD GASKETS DUE TO SEVERE OVERHEAT OR BOIL OVER. REPLACE GASKETS AS REQUIRED.
2. CHECK FOR THE PRESENCE OF ANY POSSIBLE DAMAGE TO THE RADIATOR AIR DEFLECTOR EXTENSION AND RADIATOR AIR SIDE-BAFFLES (IF SO EQUIPPED).
3. CHECK EXISTING ELECTRIC COOLING FAN FOR PROPER DIRECTION OF ROTATION AND AND CORRECT TEMPERATURE GAGE/SENSOR OPERATION.
4. CHECK ENGINE COOLANT. ADD OR REPLACE AS NECESSARY. REPLACEMENT COOLANT MUST BE A 50/50 MIX CONCENTRATE OF GOOD QUALITY GLYCOL AND WATER TO ACHIEVE THE DESIGN INTENT COOLANT BOIL TEMPERATURE.
5. THERMAL CYCLE
A. DRIVE VEHICLE FOR AT LEAST 10 MILES WITHOUT BOIL OVER.
B. ALLOW VEHICLE TO COOL DOWN OVERNIGHT.
C. CHECK COOLANT AT RECOVERY BOTTLE AND AT RADIATOR FILLER NECK. ADD COOLANT IN BOTH PLACES AS NECESSARY.
6. REPEAT CYCLE UNTIL NO ADDITIONAL COOLANT IS REQUIRED.
7. IF ENGINE OVERHEATING STILL EXISTS, INSTALL THE PARTS LISTED BELOW FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS INCLUDED IN THE FAN MODULE KIT.
PART NAME PART NUMBER
FAN MODULE KIT 14101636
BRACE ROD 14044877 (2 REQUIRED)
GENERATOR 1101258
WARRANTY INFORMATION
LABOR OPERATION: T1181
LABOR TIME: 3.7 HOURS