Timing Cover: Service and Repair

Engine Front Cover Replacement

- Tools Required
- J 28467-B Universal Engine Support Fixture
- J 35354 Seal Installer
- J 37096 Flywheel Holder

Removal Procedure







1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Vehicle Lifting.
3. Drain the engine oil.
4. Drain the cooling system.
5. Lower the vehicle.
6. Loosen the water pump pulley bolts.
7. Remove the drive belt tensioner.
8. Remove the water pump pulley.
9. Remove the radiator outlet hose.
10. Remove the crankshaft balancer.

Important: Be careful not to damage the crankshaft.

11. Pry out the crankshaft front oil seal with a flat bladed tool such as a large screwdriver. Use care to avoid damaging the crankshaft front oil seal bore or the crankshaft front oil seal contact surfaces.
12. Disconnect the electrical connectors from the following:
- Camshaft position (CMP) sensor
- Crankshaft position (CKP) sensor
- Oil presser sensor

13. Remove the crankshaft position sensor shield.
14. Lower the vehicle.
15. Install the engine support fixture.
16. Raise the vehicle.







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.

17. Remove the engine mount bracket for oil pan access.
18. Remove the oil filter.
19. Disconnect the oil level sensor electrical connector.
20. Remove the oil level sensor.
21. Remove the oil pan-to-engine front cover bolts.
22. Lower the oil pan and remove the oil pan-to-engine front cover bolts.
23. Loosen the remaining oil pan bolts to gain access for the engine front cover removal. DO NOT remove the remaining oil pan bolts.
24. Remove the crankshaft position sensor stops.







25. Remove the crankshaft position sensor.







26. Remove the engine front cover bolts.
27. Remove the engine front cover with the oil filter adapter as one assembly.







28. Remove the engine front cover gasket.







29. If replacing the engine front cover, remove the oil filter adapter and pressure relief valve from the engine front cover.







30. If replacing the engine front cover, remove the water pump from the engine front cover.







31. If replacing the engine front cover, remove the oil pump cover and gear set from the engine front cover.
32. Inspect the oil pump cover and gear set.







33. If replacing the engine front cover, remove the camshaft position sensor from the engine front cover.
34. Inspect the timing chain for overall in and out movement. Maximum movement is 25.4 mm (1 in).
35. Inspect the sprockets for wear.
36. Inspect the oil pan gasket. Replace the oil pan gasket if necessary.
37. Clean the engine front cover mating surfaces.




Installation Procedure







1. If replacing the engine front cover, install the camshaft position sensor.

Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in Service Precautions.
Fastener Notice


2. Install the camshaft position bolt.
- Tighten the bolts to 10 Nm (89 inch lbs.).







3. If replacing the engine front cover, install the oil pump cover and gear set to the engine front cover.







4. If replacing the engine front cover, install the water pump gasket and the water pump to the front cover.
5. Install the water pump bolts to the water pump.
- Tighten the long water pump bolts to 34 Nm (25 ft. lbs.).
- Tighten the short water pump bolts to 22 Nm (16 ft. lbs.).







6. If replacing the engine front cover, install the pressure relief valve, the oil filter adapter gasket and the oil filter adapter to the front cover.
7. Install the oil filter adapter bolts to the oil filter adapter.
- Tighten the bolts to 30 Nm (22 ft. lbs.).







8. Install the new engine front cover gasket. Ensure that the sealing surfaces are not damaged.
9. Apply sealer GM P/N 12346004 (Canadian P/N 10953480) or equivalent to the bolt threads.







10. Align the cogs on the crankshaft sprocket with the cogs on the oil pump gear set in the engine front cover.
11. Install the engine front cover to the engine.







12. Install the engine front cover bolts (1-7).
- Tighten the bolts to 34 Nm (25 ft. lbs.).







13. Install the crankshaft position sensor.
14. Install the crankshaft position sensor studs.
- Tighten the studs to 30 Nm (22 ft. lbs.).







15. Install the new engine front cover seal using J 35354.
16. Tighten the bolt until the crankshaft front oil seal is seated in the engine front cover. Remove the J 35354.
17. Install the oil pan-to-engine front cover bolts.
- Tighten the bolts to 14 Nm (125 inch lbs.).

19. Install the oil level sensor
- Tighten the sensor to 20 Nm (15 ft. lbs.).

20. Connect the oil level sensor electrical connector.
21. Install the engine mount bracket.







22. Install the oil filter.







23. Install the crankshaft position sensor shield.
24. Connect the electrical connectors to the following:
- Oil pressure sensor
- Crankshaft position (CKP) sensor
- Camshaft position (CMP) sensor

25. Install the crankshaft balancer.
26. Lower the vehicle.
27. Remove the engine support fixture.
28. Install the radiator outlet hose to the water pump.
29. Install the water pump pulley.
30. Install the water pump pulley bolts.
- Tighten the bolts to 13 Nm (116 inch lbs.).

31. Install the drive belt tensioner.
32. Fill the cooling system.
33. Fill the crankcase with engine oil.
34. Connect the negative battery cable.
35. Inspect for leaks.
36. Perform the CKP system variation learn procedure.