Exhaust System Noise During Decleration on SOHC Engines with Manual Transaxles #99-T-41A - (Jan 6, 2003)

Exhaust System Noises During Deceleration on SOHC Engines with Manual Transaxles (Install a DOHC Service Replacement Intermediate Exhaust Pipe with Resonator) Due to the addition of model years and a condition 2, this bulletin has been revised and supercedes bulletin 99-t-41, which should be discarded.

Condition 1: 1998 - 2000 Saturn S-Series vehicles built after and including VIN WZ216016 equipped with base SOHC engines and manual transaxles

(RPOs L24 and MP2). Condition 2: 2000 Saturn S-Series vehicles equipped with base SOHC engines, manual transaxles, and federal emissions. (RPOs L24, MP2, and NF2).

Condition

Condition 1: Some customers may comment about an exhaust system "pop" type noise during an extended deceleration between 2500-2200 rpm in 3rd gear or 3500-3200 rpm in 2nd gear.

Condition 2: Some customers may comment about an exhaust system "raspy" type noise during closed throttle deceleration in any gear between 3600-3200 rpm.

Cause

Condition 1: This condition is caused by fuel delivery during extended deceleration periods. On an extended deceleration with no throttle input, the powertrain control module (PCM) turns Off fuel to lean out the air/fuel mixture within a specified rpm range. A "pop" noise is heard when fuel is added back into the air/fuel mixture.

Condition 2: This condition is caused because a smaller catalytic converter was used on 2000 model year S-Series vehicles. This smaller catalytic converter does not absorb exhaust system sounds as well as previous models. A vehicle equipped with a combination of an SOHC engine, manual transaxle, and federal emissions is more sensitive to this noise condition.

Correction

Both conditions can be corrected by installing a DOHC intermediate exhaust pipe (P/N 21013306).

On 1998 or 1999 model year vehicles, refer to the "Intermediate Pipe (Service Replacement)" procedure in the Exhaust System section of the appropriate model year Engine/Fuel/Air Intake/Exhaust service manual.
On 2000 model year vehicles, refer to the "Intermediate Pipe (Service Replacement)" procedure in the Exhaust System section of the 2000 S-Series Engine Service Manual.

Parts Information

21013306 - Pipe Asm - Exh

Claim Information

To receive credit for this repair during the warranty coverage period, submit a claim through the Saturn Dealer System using the appropriate Electronic Labor Time Guide and Labor Operation Code L2420 (Pipe, Intermediate Exhaust - Replace).

GM bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians, NOT a "do-it-yourselfer". They are written to inform these technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or to provide information that could assist in the proper service of a vehicle. Properly trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions, and know-how to do a job properly and safely. If a condition is described, DO NOT assume that the bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle will have that condition. See your GM dealer for information on whether your vehicle may benefit from the information.

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