Piston, Connecting Rod, and Bearing Cleaning and Inspection. Pontiac Vibe

For 1990-2009 cars only

Makes 🢒 Pontiac 🢒 2009 🢒 Vibe - AWD 🢒 Engine 🢒 Engine Mechanical - 1.8L (LAY) 🢒 Piston, Connecting Rod, and Bearing Cleaning and Inspection

Note: Do not use a wire brush.

Using a brush and solvent, thoroughly clean the piston.
Using a micrometer, measure the piston diameter at right angles to the piston pin hole, and at a point 12.6 mm (0.4961 in) from the piston head.

Specification
Standard piston diameter: 80.461-80.471 mm (3.1677-3.1681 in)

If the diameter is not as specified, replace the piston.
Inspect piston oil clearance.
Subtract the piston diameter measurement from the cylinder bore diameter measurement.

Specification

•	Standard oil clearance: 0.029-0.052 mm (0.0011-0.0020 in)

•	Maximum oil clearance: 0.09 mm (0.0035 in)

If the oil clearance is greater than the maximum, replace all the pistons. If necessary, replace the cylinder block.

Using a feeler gauge, measure the clearance between a new piston ring and the wall of the ring groove.
If the groove clearance is not as specified, replace the piston.

Using a piston, push the piston ring a little beyond the bottom of the ring travel, 50 mm (1.97 in) from the top of the cylinder block.

Using a feeler gauge, measure the end gap.
If the end gap is greater than the maximum, replace the piston ring. If the end gap is greater than the maximum, even with a new piston ring, replace the cylinder block.

Specification
Standard piston pin bore diameter: 20.006-20.015 mm (0.7876-0.7880 in)

Specification
Standard piston pin diameter: 20.004-20.013 mm (0.7876-0.7879 in)

Specification
Standard connecting rod small end bore diameter: 20.012-20.021 mm (0.7879-0.7882 in)

If the diameter is not as specified, replace the connecting rod.
Subtract the piston pin diameter measurement from the piston pin bore diameter measurement.

Specification

•	Standard oil clearance: -0.001 to +0.005 mm (-0.00004 to +0.0002 in)

•	Maximum oil clearance: 0.010 mm (0.0004 in)

If the oil clearance is greater than the maximum, replace the connecting rod. If necessary, replace the piston and piston pin as a set.
Subtract the piston pin diameter measurement from the connecting rod small end bore diameter measurement.

Specification

•	Standard oil clearance: 0.00-0.011 mm (0.0002-0.0004 in)

•	Maximum oil clearance: 0.014 mm (0.0006 in)

If the oil clearance is greater than the maximum, replace the connecting rod. If necessary, replace the connecting rod and piston pin as a set.

Using a connecting rod aligner and feeler gauge, check the connecting rod alignment.
Check for misalignment.

Specification
Maximum misalignment: 0.05 mm (0.0020 in) per 100 mm (3.94 in)

Specification
Maximum twist: 0.15 mm (0.0059 in) per 100 mm (3.94 in)