Tech Feature: Straight Up Look

at the Vortec 3500 Straight-Five

Engine
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Counterman Staff,ADMINISTRATOR
VIEW BIO
The five-cylinder was seen as a way to achieve better fuel economy and
performance than the six, but with more power and torque than the
four.
Back in 2002,General Motors developed what would become a new
series of Vortec inline four-, five- and six-cylinder engines.

All of the engines in the “Atlas” engine lineup share a common

architecture: an inline cylinder configuration, dual overhead cams,
variable valve timing on the exhaust cam, an aluminum block and head,
and a relatively high static compression ratio of 10:1.

All of these engines also have coil-on-plug ignition systems, returnless

sequential fuel injection, electronic throttle control and exhaust
manifolds that incorporate a “pre-cat” light-off converter (which is
needed to meet Federal Tier II and California Low Emission II
requirements).

Most of the internal engine parts are interchangeable (pistons, rods,

valves, etc.) as are many of the externals (coils, injectors and sensors).

The only major differences are the number of cylinders in the block,
and the use of dual balance shafts in the four- and five-cylinder engines
(which are necessary to reduce harmonic vibrations).

The first engine in this series to go into production was the 4200 (4.2L)
six in the Chevy Trailblazer. In 2004, the 2800 (2.8L) four-cylinder and
3500 (3.5L) five-cylinder engines appeared.
The 2800 (RPO LK5) and 3500 (RPO L52) engines were offered in the
Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon.

In 2005, the intake manifold on the 3500 was revised to improve

emissions, and in 2007 the displacement of the four- and five-cylinder
engines were both increased with larger bores to 2.9L (2900) and 3.7L
(3700) respectively for the Chevy Colorado, GMC Canyon and Hummer
H3.

Why Five Cylinders?

You may be wondering why GM just didn’t offer a four- and six-cylinder
version of its engine. The five-cylinder was seen as a way to achieve
better fuel economy and performance than the six, but with more
power and torque than the four.

The Vortec 3500 I5 engine is rated at 220 horsepower with 225 lb.-ft. of
torque.

A five-cylinder engine has less internal friction than a six due to one
less cylinder, but with proper tuning can produce nearly as much power
as a six.

The balance shaft timing chain has three dark colored links for lining up the timing marks on the
crank and balance shaft sprockets.
The five-cylinder block is also shorter in length, allowing it to be
installed in a smaller engine compartment.

The only real drawback of the five-cylinder configuration is that there is

some overlap in the firing cycles, creating harmonic vibrations that
have to be dampened by the use of balance shafts.

The 3500 uses a pair of balance shafts that rotate at twice the speed of
the crankshaft. The shafts are chain driven by sprockets located at the
back of the engine.

If you’re tearing one of these engines down, and have to remove the
balance shafts, it’s essential to get them correctly timed when the shafts
are reinstalled.

The balance shaft timing chain has three dark colored links for lining
up the timing marks on the crank and balance shaft sprockets.

When correctly aligned, the left balance shaft timing mark will be at the
12 o’clock position, the right shaft timing mark will be at the 2:30
position, and the crankshaft sprocket timing mark will be at the 4:30
position.
Camshaft timing marks.

If the timing marks are not correctly timed, it may cause the engine to
shake like an out-of-balance washing machine on the spin cycle at
certain rpms.

Engine Service
The Vortec 3500 I5 (and its sister engines) have proven to be fairly
reliable and trouble-free — with one exception. The factory valve seats
in some 2004 to 2006 SUVs with the 2800 or 3500 engines apparently
were not up to the normal hardness standards and may experience a
premature wear problem.

Valve seat wear can cause a loss of compression that may result in hard
starting, hesitation problems, loss of power, rough idle, surging and
misfires. These problems may set diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) such
as P0171 or P0174 (lean codes), and/or P0300 random misfire.

GM issued a recall notice 07123A stating GM would extend the factory

warranty to cover the cost of any valve seat repairs that may be
necessary for up to seven years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes
first.

So if you encounter a 2004 to 2006 Chevy Colorado or GMC Canyon

with any of these codes or driveability issues, and a cylinder leakage
test confirms the problem is leaky intake valves, the customer can take
their vehicle to any GM dealer to have the cylinder head replaced at no
cost.

Dirty fuel injectors can also cause similar driveability problems on

these engines.

The Vortec 3500 I5 engines were offered in the Chevy Colorado.

The engines have Multec injectors, which can become gummed up with
fuel varnish deposits over time if a customer is using cheap gas that
does not contain adequate levels of detergent.

GM TSB 03-06-04-030G says lean codes and misfire codes caused by

dirty injectors can often be cured by cleaning the injectors (on-car or
off-car). GM also recommends using gasoline that meets

Top Tier additive requirements to prevent such problems from

happening in the first place.

In high-mileage engines, oil consumption may be an issue if the rings

and cylinders are worn. The 2800, 2900, 3500, 3700 and 4200 engines
all have replaceable steel cylinder liners in the block.
The Vortec 3500 I5 block.

If a cylinder is worn or damaged, the individual liner can be replaced to

repair the problem (which is much less expensive then replacing the
entire block). GM TSB 04-06-01-022B covers the cylinder liner
replacement procedure for these engines.

The bulletin says you should use their sleeve puller/ installation tool
EN-45680-400 to remove and install sleeves.

The bulletin also says not to heat the block or chill the liners during
installation or removal, and not to use any lubricants on the liner or
block during installation as this may result in engine damage.

Head Work
The dual overhead cams in the Atlas Vortec inline engine family are
chain driven, so there’s no timing belt to replace.

However, if the cylinder head has to come off for any reason, or if the
timing chain or tensioners are worn and need to be replaced, there are
some special service requirements for the cams and timing chain.

GM TSB 06-06-01-017G covers the revised cylinder head and timing

chain service procedures for these engines.
The Vortec 3500 I5 exhaust manifold assembly with three-way catalytic converter and O2 sensor
assembly.

Basically, if you use special tool EN-48464 Low Timing Gear Tensioner
Holding Tool, you don’t have to remove the front timing cover.

The tool holds the lower timing chain in place while the head is
removed. Without this tool, you have to remove the timing cover to
align the chain correctly.

All of these engines are interference engines with tight valve-to-piston

clearances, so accurate cam timing is absolutely essential. The cam
phaser on the front of the exhaust cam can retard exhaust valve timing
from 0 to 25 degrees.

At idle, it is in the fully advanced position, and must be installed in this

position to prevent the exhaust valves from hitting the pistons.

Changing the timing chain requires using a J44221 Cam Holding Tool
(or equivalent) to keep the cams from moving when the chain is taken
off.

The basic procedure is to remove the intake and exhaust cam position
sensors, remove the front cover, rotate the crankshaft so number one
piston is at TDC (top dead center), install the cam holding tool, then
release tension on the timing chain by moving the tensioner shoe in.

Idle problems caused by dirt or fuel varnish in the throttle body can be removed with throttle
cleaner.

Use a tee to lock the tensioner in place, remove the cam phaser from
the exhaust cam, then the sprocket from the intake cam, and finally the
crank sprocket (all three sprockets should be replaced along with the
timing chain).

Every seventh link on the timing chain is darkened to aid in aligning

the timing marks. After installing a new sprocket on the crankshaft,
align one of these marks on the chain with the mark on the sprocket
(which should be at the 5 o’clock position).

Align another dark link on the chain with the timing mark on the intake
cam sprocket (1 o’clock position). Then install the cam phaser on the
exhaust cam. T

he word “Delphi” should be level and parallel to the seam on the head,
and the cam phaser must be in the fully advanced position. Align
another dark link on the chain with the mark on the exhaust sprocket
(which should be at the 11 o’clock position).

Remove the tee from the chain tensioner and make sure all of the
timing marks are correctly aligned.

Starter icing issues eliminated — The Vortec 3500 is fitted with a new vented starter solenoid. The
solenoid case has a micromesh-covered vent that protects the solenoid from debris particles but
prevents moisture buildup. When the engine is warm, any moisture on the solenoid evaporates
through the vent. The vented solenoid virtually eliminates the possibility of cold-start problems
associated with solenoid icing.

Sensors
These engines use a single magnetic crank sensor mounted in the block
near the back of the engine, and a pair of camshaft sensors mounted in
the front of the cylinder head to monitor crankshaft position and cam
phasing.

If the crank sensor, either cam sensor or the PCM (Powertrain Control
Module) on one of these applications has to be replaced for any reason,
you must perform a CKP System Variation Learn Procedure using a
Tech 1 or similar scan tool.

It’s the same procedure that’s required on many other GM engines so

the PCM can learn the relative positions of the crank and cam sensors.
If the procedure is not performed, the engine may not run properly or
may not start.
The 2004 version of the 3500 came with two knock sensors. Knock
protection was deemed critical on these engines because of their high
compression ratio (10:1) and use of regular 87 octane fuel.

But improved PCM programming allowed GM to discontinue the

second knock sensor in 2005. The remaining knock sensor is located on
the left side of the engine between cylinders number 3 and 4.

Inputs for fuel management are provided by a mass airflow (MAF)

sensor mounted ahead of the electronic throttle body, a manifold
absolute pressure (MAP) sensor on the intake manifold and a throttle
position (TPS) sensor on the throttle.

A buildup of dirt or fuel varnish on the MAF sensor may cause lean
codes to set. Cleaning the MAF sensor with aerosol electronics cleaner
can often correct this kind of problem. Idle problems caused by dirt or
fuel varnish in the throttle body can be removed with throttle cleaner.

Maintenance
Starting in 2004, the recommended oil for the 2800, 3500 and 4200
engines is 5W-30 that meets GF-4 specifications. The crankcase oil
capacity is six quarts.

GM uses its Oil Life Monitor System on these applications to indicate

when it’s time to change the oil.

Based on vehicle usage, temperature, run time, vehicle speed, load and
so on, the estimated oil change interval may vary from as little as 3,000
miles to as much as 15,000 miles.

We think pushing the oil change interval much beyond 7,500 miles
with any oil other than a top quality full synthetic is asking for trouble.

The Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon both have conventional fuel
filters located outside the fuel tank that can be replaced on an “as
needed” basis. GM offers no recommended service interval for the
filter.

The serpentine belt likewise has no recommended replacement

interval. Most belts are good for 100,000 miles, but need to be
inspected to check for wear and proper tension. Belt noise and/or
accelerated wear can be caused by pulley misalignment. GM TSB 08-
06-01-006A says to use a laser pulley alignment checker if you suspect
belt noise or wear may be due to misalignment of the power steering
pump pulley.

The original equipment spark plugs have a 100,000-mile replacement

interval (gap is 0.042”).

Inspect the engine air filter every 15,000 miles and replace as needed.
The Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon are not equipped with a cabin
air filter.

The Dex-Cool coolant is a five-year/150,000-mile coolant. Most trucks

will reach five years before the odometer hits 150,000 miles, so
recommend changing the coolant after five years of service. Waiting
longer increases the risk of damaging coolant corrosion and expensive
cooling system repairs.