Timing Cover: Service and Repair

Engine Front Cover Replacement

Removal Procedure





1. Drain the cooling system.
2. Remove the battery tray.
3. Reposition the underhood accessory wiring junction block for access.
4. Loosen the water pump pulley bolts.
5. Remove the drive belt.
6. Remove the water pump pulley bolts.
7. Remove the water pump pulley.
8. Remove the power steering pump pulley.





9. Remove the drive belt idler pulley bolt.
10. Remove the drive belt idler pulley.
11. Remove the drive belt tensioner.
12. Remove the engine front cover coolant drain plug and drain the coolant from the engine.





13. Remove the water pump bolts.
14. Remove the water pump drive belt shield.

Important: The water pump and housing are one unit and must be serviced as an assembly.

Do not damage the sealing surface.





15. Remove the water pump and the housing (3) from the front cover (1).
16. Remove the water pump gasket (2). Use a plastic scraper to remove any excess gasket material.
17. Remove the crankshaft balancer.





18. Remove the 10 front cover perimeter bolts.
19. Remove the front cover and the gasket. Make sure you do not damage the sealing surface. Some of the gasket material may remain on the engine block.
20. Remove the remaining gasket material from the front cover and engine block using a plastic scraper.
21. Clean and inspect the engine front cover.

Installation Procedure





1. Place a short bead of RTV sealant, GM P/N 12345739, (Canadian P/N 10953541) or equivalent, on the cylinder block in the locations shown (1).





2. Align front cover gasket to the front cover bolt holes and insert 2 bolts to hold the gasket in position.
3. Install the front cover gasket and the front cover to the cylinder block.

Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in Service Precautions.

Front Cover Tightening Sequence:

4. Install the front cover bolts.
- Tighten the bolts in the sequence shown to 14 Nm (124 inch lbs.).
5. Install a new crankshaft front oil seal.
6. Install the crankshaft balancer.





7. Install a new water pump gasket (2) to the water pump (3).
8. Install the water pump gasket and the water pump to the front cover.





9. Install the water pump bolts.
- Tighten the bolts in the sequence shown to 14 Nm (124 inch lbs.).
10. Install the engine front cover coolant drain plug.
- Tighten the plug to 10 Nm (89 inch lbs.).
11. Install the drive belt tensioner.
12. Install the power steering pump pulley.





13. Install the drive belt idler pulley.
14. Install the drive belt idler pulley bolt.
- Tighten the bolt to 50 Nm (37 ft. lbs.).





15. Install the water pump pulley.
16. Install the water pump pulley bolts.
- Tighten the bolts to 12 Nm (106 inch lbs.).
17. Install the drive belt.
18. Install the underhood accessory wiring junction block.
19. Install the battery tray.
20. Fill the cooling system.