Exhaust manifold leaks

An NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation into Chevrolet vehicles. Closed 31 March 1988.

Investigation
PE88016
Type
Preliminary Evaluation
Opened
14 January 1988
Closed
31 March 1988

What NHTSA investigated

Summary:some 1981-86 trucks with 7.4L engines and cast iron exhaustmanifolds may experience a condition where an exhaust leak developsbetween the manifold and the cylinder head mating surface causing a noisecondition. Most of the reports (and all of the injuries and themanifold fire) are from the P30 motorhome chassis.gm states that a warpedor cracked manifold would permit small amounts of exhaust gas leakagegenerally resulting in noticeable noise and fumes.the exhaust manifoldsare susceptible to extreme heat conditions (such as operating under severeengine/vehicular load conditions and high ambient temperatures).themotorhome application is particularly susceptible to this alleged defectsince the vehicle is nearly always at or near the GVWR of the vehicle.thefew number of reports received by odi for a problem which began 8 years agosuggests that the defect either occurs infrequently or is not perceived asa significant safety hazard.the service bulletin was issued to identifythe high temperature problem and provide a remedy against reoccurrence.===

Vehicles covered

MakeModelModel years
ChevroletC101981–1986
ChevroletC151981–1986
ChevroletC201981–1986
ChevroletC251981–1986
ChevroletC301981–1986
ChevroletC351981–1986
ChevroletC501981–1986
ChevroletK101981–1986
ChevroletK151981–1986
ChevroletK201981–1986
ChevroletK251981–1986
ChevroletK301981–1986
ChevroletK351981–1986
ChevroletP301981–1986

Source

From NHTSA’s investigation file, rebuilt daily. To report a problem with your own vehicle, go to nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem. All open investigations.