Timing Cover: Service and Repair

Removal Procedure





1. Drain the engine coolant from the cooling system. Refer to Draining and Filling Cooling System in Cooling System.
2. Remove the right diagonal brace. Refer to Brace Replacement - Sheet Metal Diagonal in Body and Frame.
3. Remove the battery hold-down retainer. Refer to Battery Hold Down Retainer Replacement in Starting and Charging.
4. Remove the battery. Refer to Battery Replacement in Starting and Charging.
5. Remove the battery tray. Refer to Battery Tray Replacement in Starting and Charging.
6. Remove the engine coolant reservoir. Refer to Surge Tank Replacement in Cooling System.
7. Reposition the underhood accessory wiring junction block for access.
8. Remove the drive belt. Refer to Drive Belt Replacement.
9. Remove the power steering pump pulley. Refer to Power Steering Pulley Replacement in Steering and Suspension.
10. Remove the drive belt idler pulley.
11. Remove the drive belt tensioner. Refer to Drive Belt Tensioner Replacement.
12. Remove the engine front cover coolant drain plug and drain the coolant from the engine.
13. Remove the water pump pulley retaining bolts.
14. Remove the water pump pulley.
15. Remove the water pump retaining bolts.





16. Remove the water pump drive belt shield.

Important: Do not damage the sealing surface.





17. Remove the water pump and housing (3) from the front cover (1).
18. Remove the water pump gasket (2). Use a plastic scraper to remove any excess gasket material.
19. The water pump and housing are one unit and must be serviced as an assembly.
20. Support the cradle.
21. Remove the right side cradle bolts. Refer to Frame Replacement in Body and Frame.
22. Lower the cradle.
23. Remove the crankshaft balancer. Refer to Crankshaft Balancer Replacement.





24. Remove the ten front cover perimeter bolts.
25. 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.
26. Remove the remaining gasket material from the front cover and engine block using a plastic scraper.

Installation Procedure





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





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

Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in Service Precautions.

4. Hand start all the front cover retaining bolts.
Tighten the front cover retaining bolts to 14 Nm (124 inch lbs.).
5. Install the crankshaft balancer. Refer to Crankshaft Balancer Replacement.
6. Raise the cradle.
7. Install the right side cradle bolts. Refer to Frame Replacement in Body and Frame.
8. Remove the cradle support.





9. Make sure the front cover (1) and water pump (3) are clear of old gasket material.
10. Place a new water pump gasket (2) on the water pump (3).
11. Place the water pump in position on the front cover.





12. Install the water pump retaining bolts in sequence.
Tighten the water pump bolts to 14 Nm (124 inch lbs.).





13. Install the water pump pulley and retaining bolts.
Tighten the water pump pulley bolts to 12 Nm (106 inch lbs.).
14. Install the engine front cover coolant drain plug.
Tighten the engine front cover coolant drain plug to 10 Nm (89 inch lbs.).
15. Install the drive belt tensioner. Refer to Drive Belt Tensioner Replacement.
16. Install the power steering pump pulley. Refer to Power Steering Pulley Replacement in Steering and Suspension.
17. Install the drive belt idler pulley.
18. Install the drive belt. Refer to Drive Belt Replacement.
19. Install the underhood accessory wiring junction block.
20. Install the engine coolant reservoir. Refer to Surge Tank Replacement in Cooling System.
21. Install the battery tray. Refer to Battery Tray Replacement in Starting and Charging.
22. Install the battery. Refer to Battery Replacement in Starting and Charging.
23. Install the battery hold-down retainer, Refer to Battery Hold Down Retainer Replacement in Starting and Charging.
24. Install the diagonal brace. Refer to Brace Replacement - Sheet Metal Diagonal in Body and Frame.
25. Fill the cooling system. Refer to Draining and Filling Cooling System in Cooling System.