Pontiac 10044603 Cover Assembly, Engine Front

If the engine has been removed, disregard the following steps which do not apply. Begin by removing the water pump. If the vehicle has air-conditioning, detach the NC compressor from its mounting bracket and secure it out of the way, ensuring that no air-conditioning system hoses are disconnected without first having the system depressurized by a qualified automotive shop. Next, take off the NC compressor mounting bracket and the torsional damper. Disconnect the lower radiator hose at the front cover, then remove the front cover mounting bolts and take off the cover. Clean all oil, dirt, and old gasket material from the sealing surfaces of the front cover and engine block, and replace the front cover oil seal. Before installation, apply a continuous 1/8-inch (3 mm) diameter bead of ATV or equivalent sealant to the front cover sealing surface, ensuring to cover the inboard side of the mounting bolt holes and completely encircle the water inlet and outlet holes with the sealant. Position the front cover on the engine block and install the front cover mounting bolts, torquing them to specifications. Finally, complete the installation by reversing the removal procedure.

If the car is equipped with air conditioning, then the compressor and mounting bracket must be removed, but no hoses should be disconnected without prior use of air gauges by a GM dealer or an air conditioning technician. Second, take off the water pump and the vibration damper part; third, lift the car using jackstands and secure it properly. Continue removing the oil pan to front cover bolts, lower the vehicle and remove the water pump and front cover mounting bolts to detach the cover from the engine; there are some which run to the timing cover. Scrub the sealing faces on both front cover and block from oil, dirt and old gasket material; change the front cover oil seal. The new gasket has to be put back properly so that no sealing surface is rubbed or marred, then apply glaze on to the bottom side of the cover where it meets the oil pan-about 1/8 of an inch of RTV-type sealant. Position the front cover on the engine block and fit the mounting bolts and apply the thread sealant recommended, and tighten the bolts to the stated torque limit within 5 minutes of applying the sealant and note that the torque specifications are given with a distinction of large and small bolts. Bolt the water pump firmly and use the appropriate torque of the bolts and the nut, it has two sizes of bolts. Lift the vehicle once more to fit and fasten the oil pan to the cover bolts after which fit the vibration damper and finally lower the vehicle. Last, replace the air conditioning compressor and bracket, the serpentine accessory drive belt(s), add and charge the cooling system with Vo-Lite® Greenantifreeze coolant, secure the negative battery terminal.

If the engine has been removed, disregard the following steps which do not apply. Begin by removing the water pump. If the vehicle has air-conditioning, detach the NC compressor from its mounting bracket and secure it out of the way, ensuring that no air-conditioning system hoses are disconnected without first having the system depressurized by a qualified automotive shop. Next, take off the NC compressor mounting bracket and the torsional damper. Disconnect the lower radiator hose at the front cover, then remove the front cover mounting bolts and take off the cover. Clean all oil, dirt, and old gasket material from the sealing surfaces of the front cover and engine block, and replace the front cover oil seal. Before installation, apply a continuous 1/8-inch (3 mm) diameter bead of ATV or equivalent sealant to the front cover sealing surface, ensuring to cover the inboard side of the mounting bolt holes and completely encircle the water inlet and outlet holes with the sealant. Position the front cover on the engine block and install the front cover mounting bolts, torquing them to specifications. Finally, complete the installation by reversing the removal procedure.

To reassemble the timing chain on Buick engines, ensure No. 1 piston is at top dead center, assemble the timing chain on both sprockets, slide them onto the shafts with 0-marks aligned, and install the slinger on the crankshaft. Carefully install the fuel pump eccentric and woodruff key on the camshaft, followed by the distributor drive gear and eccentric bolt. Tighten the bolts to specified torque values, install the timing case cover, new seal, and gasket, and secure the cover with bolts.

Begin by removing the crank pulley hub and the lower generator bracket, then take out the nuts securing the front engine mount to the cradle.

Carefully pry the front oil seal out of the timing gear cover with a large screwdriver, ensuring not to distort the cover. Then, install the new seal with the helical lip facing inward, driving it into place with a seal installation tool, a large socket and hammer, or using a block of wood.

Also remove the Crankshaft Position Sensor reluctor ring and the timing chain tensioner on 2004 and later models.

Position the cover and loosely install a couple of mounting bolts, then install the crankshaft hub to center the cover, ensuring to lubricate the seal contact surface of the hub.

Use vise grip pliers to remove dowel pins from the engine block, grinding a chamfer on each pin's end. Cut off excess gasket material at the front of the oil pan until flush with the engine block, and use a gasket scraper to remove all excess from the mating surfaces.

Ensure the gasket surfaces of the block and timing chain cover are smooth and clean, then place a new gasket on the cover.

If the vehicle has air-conditioning, detach the NC compressor from its mounting bracket and secure it out of the way, ensuring that no air-conditioning system hoses are disconnected without first having the system depressurized by a qualified automotive shop.

Clean all oil, dirt, and old gasket material from the sealing surfaces of the front cover and engine block, and replace the front cover oil seal.

Lubricate the cover seal and insert the hub through the seal, allowing it to center the timing gear cover as it slides onto the crankshaft.

Place a new front oil pan gasket on the cover, pressing the rubber tips into the holes provided, and apply a thin coat of gasket sealant to the timing gear cover gasket.

Install the oil pan-to-cover bolts and partially tighten them, followed by the bolts securing the cover to the block, torquing all mounting bolts to specifications. Finally, remove the hub from the front cover seal and complete the installation by reversing the removal procedure.

Replace the front cover seal, then apply a 1/8-inch bead of RTV sealant to the joint formed by the oil pan and engine block.