ENGINE VALVE COVER SEALING PROCEDURE

Engine valve covers for subject engines are being manufactured with spacers to hold them away from the cylinder head. This space allows the valve cover to expand and contract during heating and cooling cycles without breaking the RTV sealinq bead. To obtain this space the V8 gas and diesel engine valve covers use "coined in place" spacers and the V6 diesel engine valve covers use separate snap in place clips. A black RTV sealer for valve cover to cylinder head sealing is currently being used on these engines in production. This RTV has improved adhesion characteristics. Valve cover removal may be eased by the use of a valve cover removal tool such as Burroughs BT8315 (Figure 1) or equivalent. To use the tool, remove the valve cover bolts and position tool on the inboard (inside) edge of the valve cover, midway between valve cover ends. Engage remover tool tabs under valve cover flange and tighten forcing screw against the intake manifold. As the forcing screw is tightened watch the valve cover flange. If the flange begins to bow, stop. Leave the tool in place. Wrap a cloth around a short board. Place the cloth wrapped board parallel to and against the side of the valve cover above the tool. Strike the board with a mallet. The board and cloth will absorb the blow of the mallet without denting the valve cover, while loosening the RTV bead and allowing valve cover removal.

General Motors bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians, not a "do-it-yourselfer". They are written to inform those technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or to provide information that could assist in the proper service of a vehicle. Properly trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions and know-how to do a job properly and safely. If a condition is described, do not assume that the bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle will have that condition. See a General Motors dealer servicing your brand of General Motors vehicle for information on whether your vehicle may benefit from the information.