1987 Chevrolet Spectrum Service and Repair Manual
This factory service and repair manual for the 1987 Chevrolet Spectrum has two versions of the same displacement to separate: a naturally aspirated 1.5L SOHC inline-four of 92 cubic inches and a turbocharged one of the same size. Five trims are covered, Base, CL, CL Plus, Express and Turbo, across a four-door sedan and a two-door hatchback. Since induction is what divides the two engines, the fuel, ignition and boost-related specifications have to be read against the engine actually fitted.
Engines covered
- 1.5L inline-four (92 cu in) — SOHC, naturally aspirated, gasoline
- 1.5L inline-four (92 cu in) — SOHC, turbocharged, gasoline
Body styles covered
- 4-door sedan
- 2-door hatchback
Trims covered
- Base
- CL
- CL Plus
- Express
- Turbo
Known issues on the 1987 Spectrum. Two recalls are on the federal record. In one, the positive crankcase ventilation valve passes too little air at low engine load, so a water and oil mixture collects in the hose between the oil separator and the air inlet duct and can freeze solid in cold weather, blocking the duct and raising crankcase pressure. In the other, the fuel tank or its feed pipe can corrode through and leak fuel, which can lead to a fire without warning. Owners have logged 12 complaints, three on vehicle speed control, three on engine and engine cooling and two on seat belts.
THE POSITIVE CRANKCASE VENTILATION VALVE MAY PROVIDE INADEQUATE AIR FLOW UNDER LOW ENGINE LOAD CONDITIONS.
THIS CONDITION CAN ALLOW WATER/OIL MIXTURE TO BUILD UPIN THE HOSE FROM THE OIL SEPARATOR T
THE PCV VALVE WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW VALVE.
PERFORATION OF THE FUEL TANK OR THE ATTACHED FUEL FEED PIPE DUE TO CORROSION OF THE TANK OR FUEL FEED PIPE MATERIALS.
THIS CONDITION COULD ALLOW FUEL TO LEAK FROM THE FUELTANK AND ULTIMATELY RESULT IN A FIRE
THE FUEL TANK WILL BE REPLACED ON ALL INVOLVED VEHICLES.
REAR PASSENGER'S RESTRAINT BELT STICKS. BELT WILL NOT EXTEND. *AK
SUDDEN ACCELEARTION WHEN FORCE IS NOT APPLIED TO THE GAS PEDAL. *AK
THE CLUCTH WOULD NOT LOCK OUT OF GEAR CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO HAVE A NEAR ACCIDENT. *AK
Showing the 3 most serious of 12 complaints filed with NHTSA.
