GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Tools Required

J 44219 Cover Alignment Pins

Removal Procedure

  1. Remove the water pump. Refer to Water Pump Replacement in Engine Cooling.
  2. Remove the crankshaft balancer. Refer to Crankshaft Balancer Replacement .
  3. Remove the drive belt tensioner. Refer to Drive Belt Tensioner Replacement .
  4. Remove the power steering pump. Refer to Power Steering Pump Replacement in Power Steering.
  5. Remove the oil pump pipe and screen assembly. Refer to Oil Pump Suction Pipe and Screen Assembly Replacement .
  6. Lower the vehicle.

  7. Object Number: 1243909  Size: SH
  8. Remove the 7 mm center bolt (1).
  9. Remove the remaining engine front cover bolts.
  10. Install 2 bolts into the threaded holes to act as jack screws and tighten evenly to release the engine front cover from the engine block.
  11. Remove the engine front cover.
  12. Remove the 2 bolts from the jack screw holes.
  13. Remove the oil pump if necessary. Refer to Oil Pump Replacement .
  14. Clean and inspect the engine front cover. Refer to Engine Front Cover Cleaning and Inspection .
  15. Clean and inspect the engine block sealing surface.

Installation Procedure

  1. Install the oil pump if previously removed. Refer to Oil Pump Replacement .

  2. Object Number: 748331  Size: SH
  3. To aid in alignment of the cover, thread the J 44219 into the engine block.

  4. Object Number: 637780  Size: SH

    Important: The engine front cover must be installed within 10 minutes from when the sealer was applied.

  5. Apply a 3 mm (0.12 in) bead of sealer to the engine front cover (1). Refer to Adhesives, Fluids, Lubricants, and Sealers for the correct part number.

  6. Object Number: 1243909  Size: SH
  7. Align the oil pump to the crankshaft sprocket splines.
  8. Position the engine front cover over the J 44219 , and to the engine block.
  9. Install the engine front cover bolts.
  10. Remove the J 44219 from the engine block.
  11. Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in the Preface section.

  12. Install the 2 remaining engine front cover bolts.
  13. Tighten

    1. Tighten the engine front cover bolts to 10 N·m (89 lb in).
    2. Tighten the small center bolt (1) last to 8 N·m (71 lb in).
  14. Install the oil pump pipe and screen assembly. Refer to Oil Pump Suction Pipe and Screen Assembly Replacement .
  15. Install the power steering pump. Refer to Power Steering Pump Replacement in Power Steering System.
  16. Install the drive belt tensioner. Refer to Drive Belt Tensioner Replacement .
  17. Install the crankshaft balancer. Refer to Crankshaft Balancer Replacement .
  18. Install the water pump. Refer to Water Pump Replacement in Engine Cooling.