Removal

1. Release fuel system pressure.
2. Disconnect negative battery cable.
3. Drain engine of coolant and oil.






4. Using the images as a guide. Disconnect the vacuum hose connection (1).
5. Disconnect the engine coolant temperature gauge unit connector (2) and the engine coolant temperature sensor connector (3).
6. Disconnect oxygen sensor connector (4) and A/C engine coolant temperature switch connector (5).
7. Disconnect distributor connector (6) and capacitor connector (7).
8. Disconnect the MDP sensor connector (8), the TPS connector (9), and the IAC connector (10).
9. Disconnect the Oxygen sensor (11), EGR temperature sensor (12), and the injector connectors (13).
10. Disconnect the evaporative emission purge solenoid connector (14), the crankshaft position sensor connector (15), the A/C compressor connector (16), and the control harness (17).






11. Remove the breather hose (18), the air intake hose (19), the brake booster vacuum hose connection (20), and the water hose connection to the throttle body (21).
12. Remove the heater hose connection to the heater unit (22) and the water hose connection to the water inlet pipe (23).
13. Remove the high-pressure fuel hose connection (24), O-ring (25), and the fuel return hose connection (26).
14. Remove the accelerator cable connection (27), the PCV hose (28), and the spark plug cables (29).






15. Disconnect upper (30) and lower (31) radiator hose connections.
16. Remove the water inlet fitting, thermostat, and thermostat case assembly (32).
17. Remove the crank position sensor connector bracket (33).
18. Remove the upper timing belt cover (34).






19. Rotate the crankshaft clockwise and align the timing marks as shown.

CAUTION: Never rotate the crankshaft counterclockwise.






20. Tie the camshaft sprocket and timing belt with a cord to prevent the ignition timing from being misaligned.






21. Using special tools (MB990767 and MD998719) or equivalent, remove the cam sprocket.

CAUTION: Never rotate the crankshaft after removing the camshaft sprocket.

22. Remove the valve cover (36).
23. Remove the self locking nuts (37) and the gasket (38).






24. Loosen the head bolts in 2 to 3 steps in the order shown in the image above. Remove the head bolts (39).
25. Remove the cylinder head assembly (40).






26. Using a scraper or gasket remover, remove the gasket and any traces adhering to the cylinder block.

CAUTION: Do not let any foreign substances such as gasket scraps enter the cylinders or the coolant or oil passages.