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For 1990-2009 cars only

Camshaft Cover Replacement Cam Cover Left

Removal Procedure

Tools Required

    • J 38825 Water Pump Drive Pulley Remover
    • J 38823 Water Pump Drive Pulley Installer
  1. Disconnect the negative battery cable. Refer to

    Caution: Unless directed otherwise, the ignition and start switch must be in the OFF or LOCK position, and all electrical loads must be OFF before servicing any electrical component. Disconnect the negative battery cable to prevent an electrical spark should a tool or equipment come in contact with an exposed electrical terminal. Failure to follow these precautions may result in personal injury and/or damage to the vehicle or its components.

    in General Information.
  2. Partially drain the coolant from the radiator. Refer to Cooling System Draining and Filling in Engine Cooling.
  3. Disconnect the upper radiator hose at the water crossover. Refer to Radiator Inlet Hose Replacement in Engine Cooling.
  4. Disconnect the spark plug wires.
  5. Remove the right side cooling fan. Refer to Engine Cooling Fan Replacement in Engine Cooling.
  6. Disconnect the battery cable at the generator.
  7. Disconnect the cable harness clip at the cam cover. Place the cable out of the way.
  8. Disconnect the PCV fresh air tube from the cam cover.

  9. Object Number: 72705  Size: SH
  10. Remove the right and left torque struts.
  11. Disconnect the water pump drive belt.
  12. Remove the EGR tube.

  13. Object Number: 52984  Size: SH
  14. Remove the water pump pulley using J 38825 .
  15. Remove the camshaft seal retainer screws.
  16. Remove the camshaft seal.
  17. Remove the cam cover screws.

  18. Object Number: 53236  Size: SH
  19. Remove the cam cover by moving the cam drive end of the cover up.

  20. Object Number: 53237  Size: SH
  21. Pivot the entire cover around the water pump drive shaft.

  22. Object Number: 53238  Size: SH
  23. Move the cover upward and pivoting such that the edge of the cover closely follows the left edge of the intake manifold cover.
  24. Discard the cover seal if there is any evidence of damage or if the seal comes out of the groove in the cover during removal. The spark plug seals may be reused if undamaged.

Installation Procedure

  1. Install the spark plug and cam cover seals as required.

  2. Object Number: 73096  Size: SH
  3. Insert the intake cam through the hole in the cam cover and using your fingers.

  4. Object Number: 73100  Size: SH

    Important: Be careful to prevent the exposed section of the cam cover seal from being damaged by the edge of the cylinder head casting.

  5. Guide the cam cover up over the edge of the cylinder head.

  6. Object Number: 73102  Size: SH
  7. Work the cover into position by allowing the top edge of the cover to follow the left side edge of the intake manifold.
  8. Notice: Use the correct fastener in the correct location. Replacement fasteners must be the correct part number for that application. Fasteners requiring replacement or fasteners requiring the use of thread locking compound or sealant are identified in the service procedure. Do not use paints, lubricants, or corrosion inhibitors on fasteners or fastener joint surfaces unless specified. These coatings affect fastener torque and joint clamping force and may damage the fastener. Use the correct tightening sequence and specifications when installing fasteners in order to avoid damage to parts and systems.

  9. Install the cam cover screws.
  10. Tighten
    Tighten the screws to 10 N·m (89 lb in).

  11. Connect the battery cable clip to the front edge of the cam cover.
  12. Connect the battery cable at the generator
  13. Lubricate the seal lips.
  14. Install the camshaft seal to the end of the intake cam.
  15. Seal the screw threads with sealer GM P/N 1052080.
  16. Tighten
    Tighten the screws to 3 N·m (27 lb in).


    Object Number: 52985  Size: SH
  17. Install the water pump pulley using J 38823 .
  18. Install the water pump drive belt. Refer to Drive Belt Replacement .
  19. Install the right and left torque struts. Refer to Engine Mount Strut Replacement .
  20. Connect the PCV fresh air tube.
  21. Install the RH fan. Refer to Engine Cooling Fan Replacement in Engine Cooling.

  22. Object Number: 54622  Size: SH
  23. Connect the spark plug wires.
  24. Important: Route the spark plug wires exactly as shown. If you do not route the wires as shown, a misfire or surge condition could occur.

  25. Connect the upper radiator hose.
  26. Fill the engine coolant. Refer to Cooling System Draining and Filling in Engine Cooling.
  27. Connect the negative battery cable.

Camshaft Cover Replacement Cam coverRight

Removal Procedure

  1. Disconnect the negative battery cable. Refer to

    Caution: Unless directed otherwise, the ignition and start switch must be in the OFF or LOCK position, and all electrical loads must be OFF before servicing any electrical component. Disconnect the negative battery cable to prevent an electrical spark should a tool or equipment come in contact with an exposed electrical terminal. Failure to follow these precautions may result in personal injury and/or damage to the vehicle or its components.

    in General Information.
  2. Raise the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
  3. Disconnect the exhaust manifold rear pipe at the converter. Position the converter out of the way.
  4. Lower the vehicle.
  5. Remove the tower-to-tower brace.
  6. Disconnect the four DIS wiring connectors and four mounting bolts.

  7. Object Number: 54622  Size: SH
  8. Remove the DIS and right bank spark plug wires.
  9. Disconnect the PCV Valve.
  10. Remove the purge canister solenoid from the rear of the cover one screw.
  11. Remove the three screws securing the wiring harness to the cover.
  12. Remove the cam cover screws.
  13. Support the front of the engine cradle.
  14. Remove the two mounting screws at the front of the cradle.
  15. Remove the right and left torque nuts.
  16. Lower the engine cradle for (or raise the vehicle) to provide clearance at the rear of the engine compartment.

  17. Object Number: 53218  Size: SH
  18. Remove the cam cover.
  19. Discard the cover seal if it is damaged or if it was pulled from the groove in the cover during removal. Reuse the spark plug seals if undamaged.

Installation Procedure


    Object Number: 53218  Size: SH
  1. Install the spark plug and cam cover seals as required.
  2. Install the cam cover.
  3. Notice: Use the correct fastener in the correct location. Replacement fasteners must be the correct part number for that application. Fasteners requiring replacement or fasteners requiring the use of thread locking compound or sealant are identified in the service procedure. Do not use paints, lubricants, or corrosion inhibitors on fasteners or fastener joint surfaces unless specified. These coatings affect fastener torque and joint clamping force and may damage the fastener. Use the correct tightening sequence and specifications when installing fasteners in order to avoid damage to parts and systems.

  4. Install the cover screws.
  5. Tighten
    Tighten the screws to 10 N·m (89 lb in).

  6. Raise the engine cradle into position and install two mounting bolts.
  7. Tighten
    Tighten the bolts to 100 N·m (74 lb ft).

  8. Install the right and left torque struts. Adjust to provide zero preload as described in this section. Refer to Engine Mount Strut Replacement in Engine Mechanical.
  9. Secure the wiring harness to the cam cover with three screws.
  10. Secure the purge canister solenoid with one screw.
  11. Connect the PCV valve.

  12. Object Number: 54622  Size: SH
  13. Install the spark plug wires and secure the DIS to the cam cover with four screws.
  14. Connect the DIS electrical connectors.
  15. Install the tower-to-tower brace.
  16. Raise the vehicle.
  17. Connect the Exhaust Manifold Rear Pipe to the catalytic converter with two bolts.
  18. Tighten
    Tighten the bolts to 25 N·m (18 lb ft).

  19. Connect the negative battery cable.