4.3 distributor Corrosion

[dickwells]

At under 50K miles on my 02 Silvo 4.3 Auto trans. I had to have the distrubutor replaced. I came home from work and was watching TV when the phone rang and it was my son telling me that he borrowed my truck to go down to his friends 3 blocks away and now the truck would not start. Never had missed a beat before this. I went down and got it started but it would die at any attempt to put it in gear. A couple hours later I went and tried it and all was well. Next day I took it to the Chevy Garage and when they called they said it needed a new distributor because of corrosion. I never heard of a Chevy small block having this happen. At any rate they did it and also billed for a "sleeve" which I see is a piece of foam around the AC line over the distributor. How water from this could get into the Dist. I have no idea. So, anyone have any idea what the problem is? Poor shaft seals? etc? I don't want to be putting in a distributor every 50K miles. Any help appreciated.

[03GMCSierra4.8L]

Call me confused...but on my 03 4.8L I dont think I have a "distributor". I have coilovers at each plug and can not find what I have traditionally called a distributor. I was assuming that it was a distributorless ingiton system that GM has had around for a good number of years now....my 1991 3.1L was that way.

 

Were the 4.3 or the 02's different? Like I said....confused!

[asepgrad98]

You are not the first one i have heard this happening to. Condensation drips off the AC line into the distributor. The insulation should keep it from happening again.

[dickwells]

Thanks, I just don't see how a distributor can be sealed so poorly that water drips into it from an AC line. After all, I drive in some pretty nasty rain, etc. The 4.3 is a "shortened" version of the 5.7 (350 to you) V8, so it still has a distributor just like the old small block v8s. RW

[Wingnut]

My buddy's 02 (with the 4.3) had the same problem, about 4 times over a two year span.

 

They just kept towing it in, and putting a new cap on it.

[am70043]

Kramer is correct, a coworker had the same problem with less than 10k on his truck. Dealership insulated ac line and everything is OK, for the last 18 months.

[dickwells]

A cap I could have dealt with no sweat, but this was the entire distributor at a cost of $579 which my aftermarket insurance would not cover (its a "wear item", no bs!)

[sjspor]

This is all covered by a TSB, They made a change to the distributor and it is not vented

correctly. This is a serious design defect, the first time mine went I was towing a trailer, in the middle line of a 3 lane highway. The truck backfired, and that was it.. dead.

 

You need to do 2 things, the first is call the dealer, who knows about the TSB because they put the sleeve on the AC suction line. You Should not have to pay for this. If they give you grief, call the fine folks at GM.

 

The second, contact the NTSB, the more people that have this problem which disables the truck, the more likely they are to investigate it. No one should be subject to this defect.

 

After the forth cap and rotor, mine was replaced last fall. The Jury is still out if this is a fix or not, but I have a brand new cap and rotor in the truck, and a torx tool ready to replace it.

 

I can however recommend a very good road side tow plan.

[asepgrad98]

cost of $579 which my aftermarket insurance would not cover (its a "wear item", no bs!)

 

Fax them a copy of the TSB saying it is a piss poor design that caused the problem not wear and tear.

[dickwells]

Thanks very much, especially SJSPOR. After bringing this up on a lot of newsgroups I finally hit paydirt! I found a TSB on the NHSA site with the number 00149c but Can't tell just what it is. Strangely, I could not find that number on the Alldata list, they are using a different number system or something. None of the Alldata descriptions seemed to address the problem. I will keep hunting for the TSB number, because I want to have that number in hand when I go back to the dealer. Once more, Thanks a million.

[dickwells]

I have now come up with a TSB# 03-06-04-041 and wonder if anyone can help me get a copy of it to fax or mail to me. I will be glad to defer any costs incurred. Thanks, RWells

[asepgrad98]

You can get all GM service info here for 20$/day

[Cop_Dodger]

Here's the bullitin. Bulliting #03-06-04-041 published on 08/26/2003.

 

-------------------------

Poor Engine Performance - Misfire, Rough Idle, Service Engine Soon/Check Engine Light Illuminated, DTC P0300 Set (Inspect DIstributor Ignition (DI) System Components and Replace As Necessary) #03-06-04-041 - (08/26/2003)

Poor Engine Performance -- Misfire, Rough Idle, Service Engine Soon/Check Engine Light Illuminated, DTC P0300 Set (Inspect Distributor Ignition (DI) System Components and Replace As Necessary)

2001-2003 Chevrolet Astro, Blazer, Express, S-10, Silverado

 

2001-2003 GMC Jimmy, Safari, Savana, Sierra, Sonoma

 

2001 Oldsmobile Bravada

 

with 4.3L, 5.0L or 5.7L Gas Engine (VINs W, X, M, R -- RPOs L35, LU3, L30, L31)

 

Condition

Some customers may comment on poor engine performance and the Service Engine Soon/Check Engine light being illuminated. Upon investigation, the technician may find DTC P0300 set.

 

Cause

This condition may be due to high levels of internal corrosion in the distributor, causing spark to go to the wrong cylinder. This corrosion is attributed to a lack of air flow internal to the cap caused by the EIP screens being clogged with debris.

 

Correction

Inspect the internal components of the Distributor Ignition System using the procedure listed below. A new distributor base has been released for service with improved airflow screens.

 

Inspect the distributor cap. You may notice a white residue on the cap walls. For higher mileage occurrences, the interior of the cap may have changed to medium brown in color.

Inspect the distributor rotor. You may notice the presence of black streaks on the plastic surface. More typical evidence would be visible green spots on the copper surface of the rotor segment.

Inspect the distributor base. You may notice high levels of surface rust on the distributor shaft or surface contamination on the sensor hold down screws.

Inspect the distributor EIP screen. The screens should be free of any debris and the mesh should be visibly porous.

All of these inspection can be done on-vehicle. If there is evidence of this internal corrosion, replace the affected component. Refer to the appropriate procedure in the Engine Controls sub-section of the applicable Service Manual.

 

In addition, it has been determined on the Sierra and Silverado applications with the 4.3L engine that the A/C accumulator line is routed directly above the distributor area and condensation from that line can aggravate the corrosion condition. For these vehicles, install the foam sleeve, P/N 15190971, to the A/C line. Cut a slit in the sleeve and secure to the line using tie-straps.

 

Parts Information

Part Number

Description

 

10452458

Cap, Distributor (V6)

 

10452457

Rotor, Distributor (V6 and V8)

 

93441559

Distributor (V6)

 

10452459

Cap, Distributor (V8)

 

93441558

Distributor (V8)

 

15190971

Foam Sleeve

 

 

Parts are currently available from GMSPO.

[RJC]

Here's the bullitin. Bulliting #03-06-04-041 published on 08/26/2003.

 

-------------------------

Poor Engine Performance - Misfire, Rough Idle, Service Engine Soon/Check Engine Light Illuminated, DTC P0300 Set (Inspect DIstributor Ignition (DI) System Components and Replace As Necessary) #03-06-04-041 - (08/26/2003)

Poor Engine Performance -- Misfire, Rough Idle, Service Engine Soon/Check Engine Light Illuminated, DTC P0300 Set (Inspect Distributor Ignition (DI) System Components and Replace As Necessary)

2001-2003 Chevrolet Astro, Blazer, Express, S-10, Silverado

 

2001-2003 GMC Jimmy, Safari, Savana, Sierra, Sonoma

 

2001 Oldsmobile Bravada

 

with 4.3L, 5.0L or 5.7L Gas Engine (VINs W, X, M, R -- RPOs L35, LU3, L30, L31)

 

Condition

Some customers may comment on poor engine performance and the Service Engine Soon/Check Engine light being illuminated. Upon investigation, the technician may find DTC P0300 set.

 

Cause

This condition may be due to high levels of internal corrosion in the distributor, causing spark to go to the wrong cylinder. This corrosion is attributed to a lack of air flow internal to the cap caused by the EIP screens being clogged with debris.

 

Correction

Inspect the internal components of the Distributor Ignition System using the procedure listed below. A new distributor base has been released for service with improved airflow screens.

 

Inspect the distributor cap. You may notice a white residue on the cap walls. For higher mileage occurrences, the interior of the cap may have changed to medium brown in color.

Inspect the distributor rotor. You may notice the presence of black streaks on the plastic surface. More typical evidence would be visible green spots on the copper surface of the rotor segment.

Inspect the distributor base. You may notice high levels of surface rust on the distributor shaft or surface contamination on the sensor hold down screws.

Inspect the distributor EIP screen. The screens should be free of any debris and the mesh should be visibly porous.

All of these inspection can be done on-vehicle. If there is evidence of this internal corrosion, replace the affected component. Refer to the appropriate procedure in the Engine Controls sub-section of the applicable Service Manual.

 

In addition, it has been determined on the Sierra and Silverado applications with the 4.3L engine that the A/C accumulator line is routed directly above the distributor area and condensation from that line can aggravate the corrosion condition. For these vehicles, install the foam sleeve, P/N 15190971, to the A/C line. Cut a slit in the sleeve and secure to the line using tie-straps.

 

Parts Information

Part Number

Description

 

10452458

Cap, Distributor (V6)

 

10452457

Rotor, Distributor (V6 and V8)

 

93441559

Distributor (V6)

 

10452459

Cap, Distributor (V8)

 

93441558

Distributor (V8)

 

15190971

Foam Sleeve

 

 

Parts are currently available from GMSPO.

[RJC]

Here's the bullitin. Bulliting #03-06-04-041 published on 08/26/2003.

 

-------------------------

Poor Engine Performance - Misfire, Rough Idle, Service Engine Soon/Check Engine Light Illuminated, DTC P0300 Set (Inspect DIstributor Ignition (DI) System Components and Replace As Necessary) #03-06-04-041 - (08/26/2003)

Poor Engine Performance -- Misfire, Rough Idle, Service Engine Soon/Check Engine Light Illuminated, DTC P0300 Set (Inspect Distributor Ignition (DI) System Components and Replace As Necessary)

2001-2003 Chevrolet Astro, Blazer, Express, S-10, Silverado

 

2001-2003 GMC Jimmy, Safari, Savana, Sierra, Sonoma

 

2001 Oldsmobile Bravada

 

with 4.3L, 5.0L or 5.7L Gas Engine (VINs W, X, M, R -- RPOs L35, LU3, L30, L31)

 

Condition

Some customers may comment on poor engine performance and the Service Engine Soon/Check Engine light being illuminated. Upon investigation, the technician may find DTC P0300 set.

 

Cause

This condition may be due to high levels of internal corrosion in the distributor, causing spark to go to the wrong cylinder. This corrosion is attributed to a lack of air flow internal to the cap caused by the EIP screens being clogged with debris.

 

Correction

Inspect the internal components of the Distributor Ignition System using the procedure listed below. A new distributor base has been released for service with improved airflow screens.

 

Inspect the distributor cap. You may notice a white residue on the cap walls. For higher mileage occurrences, the interior of the cap may have changed to medium brown in color.

Inspect the distributor rotor. You may notice the presence of black streaks on the plastic surface. More typical evidence would be visible green spots on the copper surface of the rotor segment.

Inspect the distributor base. You may notice high levels of surface rust on the distributor shaft or surface contamination on the sensor hold down screws.

Inspect the distributor EIP screen. The screens should be free of any debris and the mesh should be visibly porous.

All of these inspection can be done on-vehicle. If there is evidence of this internal corrosion, replace the affected component. Refer to the appropriate procedure in the Engine Controls sub-section of the applicable Service Manual.

 

In addition, it has been determined on the Sierra and Silverado applications with the 4.3L engine that the A/C accumulator line is routed directly above the distributor area and condensation from that line can aggravate the corrosion condition. For these vehicles, install the foam sleeve, P/N 15190971, to the A/C line. Cut a slit in the sleeve and secure to the line using tie-straps.

 

Parts Information

Part Number

Description

 

10452458

Cap, Distributor (V6)

 

10452457

Rotor, Distributor (V6 and V8)

 

93441559

Distributor (V6)

 

10452459

Cap, Distributor (V8)

 

93441558

Distributor (V8)

 

15190971

Foam Sleeve

 

 

Parts are currently available from GMSPO.