GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Camshaft Cover Replacement Left

Removal Procedure

Tools Required

    • J 38185 Hose Clamp Pliers
    • J 38823 Water Pump Drive Pulley Installer
    • J 38825 Water Pump Drive Pulley Remover

    Object Number: 475295  Size: SH
  1. Remove the two nuts (2) from the intake manifold sight shield (1).
  2. Remove the sight shield (1) from the engine.
  3. Remove the upper filler panel. Refer to Filler Panel Replacement - Upper in Body Front End.
  4. Partially drain the cooling system. Refer to Cooling System Draining and Filling in Engine Cooling.

  5. Object Number: 518338  Size: SH
  6. Position the J 38185  (2) to the clamp in order to remove the inlet radiator hose (1) from the water housing crossover.

  7. Object Number: 490598  Size: SH
  8. Disconnect the PCV fresh air tube (1) from the camshaft cover.
  9. Remove the Ignition coil cassette. Refer to Coil Cassette Replacement - Bank 1 in Engine Controls-4.6 L.

  10. Object Number: 500511  Size: SH
  11. Remove the four spark plug boots.

  12. Object Number: 571092  Size: SH
  13. Remove the two pushnuts (1) securing the engine coolant heater wire (if equipped) and position aside.
  14. Disconnect the generator coolant pipe (2) from the hoses on either side.
  15. Disconnect the cable harness clips at the front of the camshaft cover and position the cable harness aside.
  16. Remove the AIR valve bracket nut closest to the center of the engine.
  17. Pry outward slightly on the AIR valve bracket in order to gain clearance to remove the water pump drive belt shield nut.

  18. Object Number: 500271  Size: SH
  19. Remove the water pump drive belt shield fasteners.
  20. Remove the water pump drive belt shield.
  21. Disconnect the water pump drive belt.

  22. Object Number: 500274  Size: SH
  23. Loosen the two bolts (3) attaching the water pump belt tensioner (1) to the water crossover.
  24. Remove the water pump belt tensioner (1).

  25. Object Number: 52984  Size: SH
  26. Remove the plastic dust cap from the end of the camshaft.
  27. Remove the water pump pulley using the J 38825 .

  28. Object Number: 500275  Size: SH
  29. Remove the Three camshaft seal retainer bolts.
  30. Important: DO NOT reuse the camshaft seal.

  31. Remove the camshaft seal (1).

  32. Object Number: 500277  Size: SH
  33. Remove the nine camshaft cover bolts.

  34. Object Number: 500280  Size: SH
  35. Lift the camshaft drive end of the camshaft cover up.

  36. Object Number: 500281  Size: SH
  37. Remove the camshaft cover reward to clear the water pump drive shaft.
  38. Discard the camshaft cover seal if there is any evidence of damage or if the seal comes out of the groove in the cover during removal.
  39. Clean and inspect the camshaft cover. Refer to Camshaft Cover Cleaning and Inspection .

Installation Procedure

  1. Install the camshaft cover seal as required.
  2. Important: Be careful to prevent the exposed section of the camshaft cover seal from being damaged by the edge of the cylinder head casting.


    Object Number: 73096  Size: SH
  3. Insert the water pump drive shaft through the hole in the camshaft cover.

  4. Object Number: 73102  Size: SH
  5. Position the camshaft cover downward over the camshaft drive end.

  6. Object Number: 500277  Size: SH

    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.

  7. Install the nine camshaft cover bolts.
  8. Tighten
    Tighten the bolts to 10 N·m (89 lb in).


    Object Number: 500275  Size: SH
  9. Lubricate the seal lips.
  10. Install the new camshaft seal (1) to the end of the intake cam.
  11. Seal the bolt threads with sealer GM P/N 1052080.
  12. Tighten
    Tighten the bolts to 3 N·m (27 lb in).


    Object Number: 52985  Size: SH
  13. Install the water pump pulley using the J 38823 .
  14. Install the plastic dust cap into the end of the camshaft.

  15. Object Number: 500274  Size: SH
  16. Install the water pump belt tensioner (1).
  17. Tighten
    Tighten the two bolts (3) to 10 N·m (89 lb in).


    Object Number: 500271  Size: SH
  18. Connect the water pump drive belt.
  19. Install the water pump drive belt shield.
  20. Install the water pump drive belt shield fasteners.
  21. Tighten

        • Tighten the fasteners to 10 N·m (89 lb in).
        • Tighten the AIR valve bracket nut to 9 N·m (80 lb in).

    Object Number: 571092  Size: SH
  22. Connect the cable harness clips to the cable harness at the front of the camshaft cover.
  23. Position the generator coolant pipe (2) on to the fuel rail studs.
  24. Connect the generator coolant pipe (2) to the hoses.
  25. Position the engine coolant heater wire (if equipped) on to the fuel rail studs.
  26. Install the two pushnuts (1).

  27. Object Number: 522712  Size: SH
  28. Install the spark plug boots onto the coil cassette.
  29. Ensure that the boots are fully seated against the cassette.

  30. Install the ignition coil cassette. Refer to Coil Cassette Replacement - Bank 1 in Engine Controls-4.6 L.

  31. Object Number: 490598  Size: SH
  32. Connect the PCV fresh air tube (1).

  33. Object Number: 518338  Size: SH
  34. Position the J 38185  (2) to the clamp in order to connect the inlet radiator hose (1) to the water housing crossover.

  35. Object Number: 475295  Size: SH
  36. Position the intake manifold sight shield (1) to the engine.
  37. Install the two intake manifold sight shield nuts (2).
  38. Tighten
    Tighten the nuts to 3 N·m (27 lb in).

  39. Install the upper filler panel. Refer to Filler Panel Replacement - Upper in Body Front End.
  40. Fill the cooling system. Refer to Cooling System Draining and Filling in Engine Cooling.

Camshaft Cover Replacement Right

Removal Procedure


    Object Number: 475295  Size: SH
  1. Remove the two nuts (2) from the intake manifold sight shield (1).
  2. Remove the sight shield (1) from the engine.

  3. Object Number: 490597  Size: SH
  4. Disconnect the PCV valve (1) from the camshaft cover (2).
  5. Disconnect the oxygen sensor wire.
  6. Disconnect the vacuum tubes from the AIR vent solenoid.
  7. Disconnect the AIR vent solenoid electrical connector.
  8. Remove the AIR control valve bracket. Refer to Secondary Air Injection Control Valve Replacement - Bank 1 in Engine Controls-4.6 L.
  9. Remove the nut securing the AIR tube.
  10. Remove the ignition coil cassette. Refer to Coil Cassette Replacement - Bank 2 in Engine Controls-4.6 L.

  11. Object Number: 500511  Size: SH
  12. Remove the four spark plug boots.
  13. Disconnect the cable harness clips at the front of the camshaft cover and position the cable harness aside.

  14. Object Number: 522725  Size: SH
  15. Remove the nine camshaft cover bolts.
  16. Remove the camshaft cover.
  17. Discard the camshaft cover seal if there is any evidence of damage or if the seal comes out of the groove in the cover during removal.
  18. Clean and inspect the camshaft cover. Refer to Camshaft Cover Cleaning and Inspection .

Installation Procedure

  1. Install the camshaft cover seal as required.
  2. Important: Be careful to prevent the exposed section of the camshaft cover seal from being damaged by the edge of the cylinder head casting.


    Object Number: 522725  Size: SH
  3. Install the camshaft cover.
  4. 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.

  5. Install the nine camshaft cover bolts.
  6. Tighten
    Tighten the bolts to 10 N·m (89 lb in).


    Object Number: 522712  Size: SH
  7. Install the spark plug boots onto the coil cassette.
  8. Ensure that the boots are fully seated against the cassette.

  9. Install the ignition coil cassette. Refer to Coil Cassette Replacement - Bank 2 in Engine Controls-4.6 L.
  10. Install the AIR control valve bracket. Refer to Secondary Air Injection Control Valve Replacement - Bank 1 in Engine Controls-4.6 L.

  11. Object Number: 490597  Size: SH
  12. Connect the cable harness clips to the cable harness at the front of the camshaft cover.
  13. Connect the AIR vent solenoid electrical connector.
  14. Connect the vacuum tubes to the AIR vent solenoid.
  15. Connect the oxygen sensor wire.
  16. Connect the PCV valve (1) to the camshaft cover (2).

  17. Object Number: 475295  Size: SH
  18. Position the intake manifold sight shield (1) to the engine.
  19. Install the two intake manifold sight shield nuts (2).
  20. Tighten
    Tighten the nuts to 3 N·m (27 lb in).