Timing Cover: Service and Repair

Fig. 6 Front Cover & Oil Seal:

Front Cover Bolt Locations:

SPECIAL TOOL REQUIRED (or equivalent)
^ J-38616, Camshaft and intermediate shaft sprocket removal tool.

REMOVE OR DISCONNECT
1. Secondary timing belt tensioner mounting bracket and idler pulleys.
2. Engine front lift hook.
3. Engine torque strut bracket from frame and then pull strut and bracket out of the way.
4. Cooling fan bolts and drain coolant into a suitable container.
5. Upper radiator support.
6. Right side cooling fan heat shield, then the right side cooling fan.
7. Lower radiator hose from coolant pump.
8. Front air hose at the air pipe (manual transaxle only).
9. Heater hose at front cover and heater pipe bracket at frame.
10. Raise and support vehicle.
11. Right tire and wheel assembly then the engine splash shield.
12. Crankshaft pulley and damper.
13. Drain engine oil into a suitable container and remove oil filter.
14. A/C compressor mounting bolts.
15. Lower front cover bolts.
16. Drive axle assembly (automatic transaxle only).
17. Rear alternator bracket, then the starter motor.
18. Lower vehicle.
19. Camshaft drive belt sprocket retaining bolt, then the sprocket using J-38616.
20. Upper alternator retaining bolts.
21. Forward lamp relay center screws and position relay center aside.
22. Oil cooler hose at front cover and remove water pump pulley.
22. Front cover upper bolts, then the front cover and gasket.
23. Clean mating and sealing surfaces with degreaser.

INSTALL OR CONNECT
1. Front cover gasket, making sure not to damage the sealing surfaces.
2. Apply GM sealer part No. 1052080 (or equivalent) to lower edges of sealing surface of front cover, then install front cover.
3. Upper front cover bolts, applying thread sealant to large bolts. Tighten bolts enough to pull the cover against the engine block.
4. Water pump pulley and connect oil cooler hose at front cover.
5. Forward lamp relay center screws and upper alternator retaining bolts.
6. Camshaft drive belt sprocket and retaining bolt using J-31096.
7. Raise vehicle and install starter motor.
8. Drive axle (automatic transaxle only), then install rear alternator bracket.
9. Lower front cover bolts and tighten all to:
^ Small bolts, 25 Nm (18 lb ft).
^ Large bolts, 47 Nm (35 lb ft).
10. A/C compressor mounting bolts, then the oil filter.
11. Crankshaft damper and pulley.
12. Right splash shield, tire and wheel assembly.
13. Lower vehicle and install heater pipe bracket retaining screws at frame.
14. Heater hose at front cover.
15. Front air hose at air pipe (manual transaxle only).
16. Lower radiator hose to coolant pump inlet pipe and right side cooling fan connecting electrical before installing fan.
17. Right cooling fan heat shield and cooling fan bolts.
18. Upper radiator support and engine torque strut mount bracket to frame bolts.
19. Torque strut back into position.
20. Front engine lift hook.
21. Secondary timing belt idler pulleys and tensioner mounting bracket.
22. Fill engine oil and coolant to the correct levels and check for leaks.