Engine Front Cover

Engine Front Cover Replacement

Removal Procedure
1. Drain the engine coolant from 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 retaining bolts.
7. Remove the water pump pulley.
8. Remove the power steering pump pulley.
9. Remove the drive belt idler pulley.
10. Remove the drive belt tensioner.
11. Remove the engine front cover coolant drain plug and drain the coolant from the engine.





12. Remove the water pump retaining bolts.
13. Remove the water pump drive belt shield.

Important: Do not damage the sealing surface.





14. Remove the water pump and housing (3) from the front cover (1).
15. Remove the water pump gasket (2). Use a plastic scraper to remove any excess gasket material.
16. The water pump and housing are one unit and must be serviced as an assembly.
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 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 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 a new crankshaft front oil seal.
6. Install the crankshaft balancer.





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





10. Install the water pump retaining bolts in sequence.
Tighten the water pump bolts to 14 Nm (124 inch lbs.).
11. Install the engine front cover coolant drain plug.
Tighten the engine front cover coolant drain plug to 10 Nm (89 inch lbs.).
12. Install the drive belt tensioner.
13. Install the power steering pump pulley.
14. Install the drive belt idler pulley.
Tighten the drive belt pulley to 50 Nm (37 ft. lbs.).
15. Install the drive belt.





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