Left Cylinder Head: Removal
- Perform the fuel pressure release procedure. Refer to FUEL DELIVERY, GAS, STANDARD PROCEDURE .
- Disconnect and isolate the negative battery cable.
- Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to HOISTING, STANDARD PROCEDURE .
- Drain the cooling system. Refer to STANDARD PROCEDURE .
- Drain the engine oil. Refer to OIL, STANDARD PROCEDURE .
- Remove the upper and lower intake manifolds and insulator. Refer to MANIFOLD, INTAKE, REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION .
- Remove the Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) cooler and upper intake manifold support bracket. Refer to COOLER, EXHAUST GAS RECIRCULATION (EGR), REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION .
- Remove the heater core return hose from the water pump bypass.
- Remove the generator retaining bolts (1) and position aside.
- Remove the left catalytic converter from the cylinder head and position aside. Refer to CONVERTER, CATALYTIC, REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION .
- Disengage one main wire harness bracket from the left cylinder head.
- Remove the spark plugs. Refer to SPARK PLUG, REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION .
- Remove the cylinder head covers and engine timing cover. Refer to COVER(S), ENGINE TIMING, REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION .NOTE:
Take this opportunity to measure timing chain wear. Refer to VALVE TIMING, STANDARD PROCEDURE .
- Lower the vehicle.CAUTION:
When aligning timing marks, always rotate engine by turning the crankshaft. Failure to do so will result in valve or piston damage.
- Rotate the crankshaft CW to place the number one piston at TDC on the exhaust stroke by aligning the dimple (7) on the crankshaft with the block/bearing cap junction (6). The left side cam phaser arrows (4) should point toward each other and be parallel to the valve cover sealing surface (3). The right side cam phaser arrows (5) should point away from each other and the scribe lines (1) should be parallel to the valve cover sealing surface (2).CAUTION:
Always reinstall timing chains so that they maintain the same direction of rotation. Inverting a previously run chain on a previously run sprocket will result in excessive wear to both the chain and sprocket.
- Mark the direction of rotation on the timing chain using a paint pen or equivalent to aid in reassembly.CAUTION:
When the timing chains are removed and the cylinder heads are still installed, DO NOT rotate the camshafts or crankshaft without first locating the proper crankshaft position. Failure to do so will result in valve or piston damage.
- Reset the LH cam chain tensioner by lifting the pawl (1), pushing back the piston (2) and installing Tensioner Pin (special tool #8514A, Pins, Tensioner) (3)
Refer to VALVE TIMING, STANDARD PROCEDURE .
- Remove the left side camshafts. Refer to CAMSHAFT, ENGINE, REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION .NOTE:
If the rocker arms are to be reused, identify their positions so that they can be reassembled into their original locations.
- Remove the rocker arms. Refer to ROCKER ARM, VALVE, REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION .NOTE:
If the hydraulic lifters are to be reused, identify their positions so that they can be reassembled into their original locations.
- If required, remove the hydraulic lifters. Refer to LIFTER(S), HYDRAULIC, REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION .
- Remove the LH cam chain tensioner arm (1).
- Remove two bolts (6) and the LH cam chain tensioner (5).
- Remove two bolts (4) and the LH cam chain guide (2).
CAUTION:
DO NOT use an impact gun or any type of power tools to break loose or remove the head bolts. This can cause the threads to pull out of the block with the bolts.
- Using the sequence shown in illustration, remove the cylinder head retaining bolts.WARNING:
The multi-layered steel head gaskets have very sharp edges that could cause personal injury if not handled carefully.
NOTE:The head gasket (1) crimps the locating dowels (2) and the dowels may pull out of the engine block when the head gasket is removed.
- Remove the cylinder head and gasket (1). Discard the gasket.CAUTION:
Do not lay the cylinder head on its gasket sealing surface, due to the design of the cylinder head gasket, any distortion to the cylinder head sealing surface may prevent the gasket from properly sealing resulting in leaks.





