Note. This procedure requires a special tool. Read the entire section through to the end before you get started.
1. Disconnect the wire from the negative battery terminal.
2. Put the car on the parking brake and move the automatic transmission lever to the parking position. Raise the vehicle and secure it on stands. Remove the mudguard from the right inner fender.
3. Drain oil and coolant (see chapter 1, sections 12 and 29). Remove the coolant hoses from the timing cover.
4. Remove the right engine mount (from the passenger side) (see section 19).
5. Remove the V-ribbed drive belt (see chapter 1, section 21).
6. Remove antivibrator (see section 11) and sensor cover.
7. Disconnect connectors from oil pressure sensors, camshaft and crankshaft.
8. Turn away bolts of fastening of an oil case (see section 17).
9. Turn away bolts of fastening of a cover of the gas-distributing mechanism (see illustration). Note that two of these bolts also attach the crankshaft position sensor. When unscrewing these bolts, remove the sensor.
13.9. Location of the timing cover bolts (indicated by arrows)
10. Remove the cover.
11. Using a special scraper, remove the remnants of the material of the old gasket and sealant from the mating surfaces of the cover and cylinder block (see illustration). The lid is made of aluminum, so be careful not to dent it. Clean the gasket sealing surfaces with lacquer thinner or acetone.
13.11. Remove any remnants of old gasket material
12. Before installing the cover back, remove the oil pump cover and put technical vaseline into the cavity.
13. By applying a thin layer of sealant that cures at room temperature (RTV), on both sides of the new gasket, install it on the cylinder block (gasket must be held in place by dowel pins). Attach the cover to the engine. The oil pump drive must engage with the crankshaft.
14. Apply Permatex N2 sealant (or similar) onto the threads of the bolts, insert the bolts and tighten them by hand. Install the crankshaft position sensor, but leave them wrapped by hand until step 16 is performed. Install the remaining bolts in a diagonal sequence and tighten them in three steps to the torque specified in the specifications in this chapter to avoid tilting the cover.
15. To place the crankshaft position sensor on the camshaft cover, use the special General Motors N J-37087 proprietary tool (or its equivalent). Tighten the bolts to the torque specified in the technical data at the beginning of the chapter.
16. The remaining parts are installed in reverse order.
17. Fill the engine with coolant and oil, start the engine and check for leaks.