Timing Cover: Service and Repair

Engine Front Cover Replacement
Tools Required
^ J35354-A Seal Installer
^ J38185 Hose Clamp Pliers
^ J45059 Angle Meter

Removal Procedure





1. Drain the engine oil. Refer to Engine Oil and Oil Filter Replacement.
2. Drain the cooling system. Refer to Draining and Filling Cooling System (Static Fill) Draining and Filling Cooling System (Vac-N-Fill).
3. Lower the vehicle.
4. Loosen the water pump pulley bolts.
5. Remove the drive belt tensioner.
6. Remove the water pump pulley.





7. Remove the power steering pump bolts and reposition the pump.
8. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle.
9. Remove the crankshaft balancer.





10. Important: Be careful not to damage the crankshaft.

Pry out the crankshaft front oil seal with a flat-bladed tool. Use care to avoid damaging the crankshaft front oil seal bore or the crankshaft front oil seal contact surfaces.





11. Disconnect the ignition control module wiring harness electrical connector (3) from the crankshaft position (CKP) sensor.





12. Disconnect the ignition control module wiring harness electrical connector (3) from the camshaft position (CMP) sensor.





13. Disconnect the engine harness electrical connector (2) from the oil pressure sensor.





14. Remove the CKP sensor shield.





15. Using the J38185 reposition the radiator outlet hose clamp.
16. Remove the radiator outlet hose from the engine front cover.
17. Lower the vehicle.
18. Install the engine support fixture.
19. Raise the vehicle.





20. Remove the oil filter.
21. Remove the engine mount bracket.





22. Disconnect the engine harness electrical connector (2) from the oil level sensor.





23. Important: The oil pan can be dropped slightly for engine front cover clearance if all pan bolts are loosened and the oil level sensor is removed.

Remove the oil level sensor.
24. Remove the oil pan-to-engine front cover bolts.
25. Loosen the remaining oil pan bolts to gain access for the engine front cover removal. DO NOT remove the remaining oil pan bolts.





26. Remove the CKP sensor studs and sensor.





27. Remove the engine front cover bolts/stud.
28. Remove the engine front cover.





29. Remove the engine front cover gasket.





30. If replacing the engine front cover, perform the following steps, otherwise proceed to step 14 in the installation procedure.
31. Remove the oil filter adapter bolts.
32. Remove the oil filter adapter and gasket.
33. Remove the oil pressure relief valve and spring.





34. Remove the water pump bolts.
35. Remove the water pump and gasket.





36. Remove the oil pump cover screws.
37. Remove the oil pump cover.
38. Remove the oil pump gear set.





39. Remove the CMP sensor bolt.
40. Remove the CMP sensor.
41. Inspect the timing chain for overall in and out movement. Maximum movement is 25.4 mm (1 inch).
42. Inspect the sprockets for wear.
43. Inspect the oil pan gasket. Replace the oil pan gasket, if necessary.
44. Clean and inspect the water pump. Refer to Water Pump Cleaning and Inspection.
45. Clean and inspect the oil pump. Refer to Oil Pump Cleaning and Inspection.
46. Clean the engine front cover mating surfaces.

Installation Procedure





1. If replacing the engine front cover refer to the following steps, otherwise proceed to step 14.
2. Install the CMP sensor.

3. Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice.

Install the CMP sensor bolt.
Tighten the bolt to 10 Nm (89 inch lbs.).





4. Lubricate the oil pump gear set with petroleum jelly.
5. Install the oil pump gear set.
6. Pack the oil pump gears with petroleum jelly.
7. Install the oil pump cover.
8. Install the oil pump cover screws.
Tighten the screws to 11 Nm (98 inch lbs.).





9. Position the water pump gasket and water pump.
10. Install the water pump bolts.
Tighten the bolts to 15 Nm (11 ft. lbs.) plus an additional 80 degrees using J45059.





11. Install the pressure relief valve spring and valve.
12. Position the oil filter adapter gasket and adapter.
13. Install the oil filter adapter bolts.
Tighten the bolts to 50 Nm (30 ft. lbs.) plus an additional 3 degrees using J45059.





14. Install a NEW engine front cover gasket.
15. Apply sealer GM P/N 12346004 (Canadian P/N 10953480) or equivalent to the engine front cover bolts/stud threads.





16. Install the engine front cover.
17. Install the engine front cover bolts/stud.
Tighten the bolts to 20 Nm (15 ft. lbs.) plus an additional 40 degrees using J45059.





18. Install the CKP sensor and studs.
Tighten the studs to 20 Nm (15 ft. lbs.) plus an additional 40 degrees using J45059.





19. Raise the oil pan into position and snug the oil pan bolts.
20. Install the oil pan-to-engine front cover bolts.
Tighten the bolts to 14 Nm (10 ft. lbs.).
21. Install the oil level sensor.
Tighten the sensor to 20 Nm (15 ft. lbs.).





22. Connect the engine harness electrical connector (2) to the oil level sensor.





23. Install the oil filter.
Tighten the filter to 30 Nm (22 ft. lbs.).
24. Install the engine mount bracket.





25. Lower the vehicle.
26. Remove the engine support fixture.
27. Raise the vehicle.
28. Install the radiator outlet hose to the engine front cover.
29. Using the J38185 position the radiator outlet hose clamp.





30. Install the NEW engine front cover seal using J35354-A.
31. Tighten the bolt until the crankshaft front oil seal is seated in the engine front cover.
32. Remove the J35354-A.





33. Install the CKP sensor shield.





34. Connect the engine harness electrical connector (2) to the oil pressure sensor.





35. Connect the ignition control module wiring harness electrical connector (3) to the CKP sensor.





36. Install the crankshaft balancer.
37. Lower the vehicle.
38. Position and install the power steering pump and bolts.
Tighten the bolts to 34 Nm (25 ft. lbs.).





39. Install the water pump pulley.
40. Install the drive belt tensioner.
41. Tighten the water pump pulley bolts.
Tighten the bolts to 13 Nm (115 inch lbs.).
42. Fill the cooling system. Refer to Draining and Filling Cooling System (Static Fill) Draining and Filling Cooling System (Vac-N-Fill).
43. Fill the crankcase with engine oil. Refer to Engine Oil and Oil Filter Replacement.
44. Inspect for leaks.
45. Perform the CKP system variation learn procedure. Refer to CKP System Variation Learn Procedure. Service and Repair