GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Special Tools

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

Removal Procedure

  1. Remove the fuel injector sight shield. Refer to Fuel Injector Sight Shield Replacement .
  2. Partially drain the cooling system. Refer to Cooling System Draining and Filling .

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

  5. Object Number: 490598  Size: SH
  6. Disconnect the PCV fresh air tube (1) from the camshaft cover.
  7. Remove the ignition coils. Refer to Ignition Coil Replacement - Bank 2 .

  8. Object Number: 500511  Size: SH
  9. Remove the 4 spark plug boots.
  10. Disconnect the cable harness clips at the front of the camshaft cover and position the cable harness aside.
  11. Remove the secondary AIR valve bracket nut closest to the center of the engine.
  12. Pry outward slightly on the secondary AIR valve bracket in order to gain clearance to remove the water pump drive belt shield nut.

  13. Object Number: 500271  Size: SH
  14. Remove the water pump drive belt shield fasteners.
  15. Remove the water pump drive belt shield.
  16. Disconnect the water pump drive belt.

  17. Object Number: 500274  Size: SH
  18. Loosen the 2 bolts (3) attaching the water pump belt tensioner (1) to the water crossover.
  19. Remove the water pump belt tensioner (1).

  20. Object Number: 522687  Size: SH
  21. Remove the plastic dust cap from the end of the intake camshaft.

  22. Object Number: 52984  Size: SH
  23. Remove the water pump drive pulley from the intake camshaft using the J 38825 .

  24. Object Number: 522688  Size: SH
  25. Remove the 3 camshaft seal retainer bolts.

  26. Object Number: 522689  Size: SH

    Important: DO NOT reuse the camshaft seal.

  27. Remove the camshaft seal.

  28. Object Number: 500277  Size: SH
  29. Disconnect the engine ground strap. Refer to Engine Ground Strap Replacement .
  30. Remove the camshaft cover bolts.

  31. Object Number: 500280  Size: SH
  32. Lift the camshaft drive end of the camshaft cover up.

  33. Object Number: 500281  Size: SH
  34. Remove the camshaft cover reward to clear the water pump drive shaft.
  35. Discard the camshaft cover perimeter seals and spark plug seals if there is any evidence of damage or if the seal comes out of the groove in the cover during removal.
  36. 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: 609682  Size: SH
  3. Insert the intake camshaft end through the hole in the camshaft cover.

  4. Object Number: 609685  Size: SH
  5. Work the camshaft cover into position by pivoting the cover down and to the left allowing the cover to clear the camshaft drive chain and then aligning the bolt holes.
  6. Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in the Preface section.


    Object Number: 500277  Size: SH
  7. Install the 9 camshaft cover bolts.
  8. Tighten
    Tighten the camshaft cover bolts to 10 N·m (89 lb in).

  9. Connect the engine ground strap. Refer to Engine Ground Strap Replacement .

  10. Object Number: 522689  Size: SH
  11. Install the NEW seal as follows:
  12. 6.1. Lubricate the camshaft seal lips with engine oil.
    6.2. Push the camshaft seal into position around the intake camshaft using the protective sleeve supplied with the seal.

    Object Number: 500275  Size: SH
  13. Coat the bolt threads with sealant GM P/N 1052080 (Canadian P/N 10953480) or equivalent.
  14. Install the camshaft seal (1) bolts.
  15. Tighten
    Tighten the camshaft seal bolts to 3 N·m (27 lb in).


    Object Number: 591908  Size: SH
  16. Place the water pump drive pulley in position on the intake camshaft.

  17. Object Number: 52985  Size: SH
  18. Install the water pump pulley using the J 38823 . During installation, the tool will bottom out on the camshaft at the proper depth.

  19. Object Number: 522687  Size: SH
  20. Install the plastic dust cap into the end of the camshaft.

  21. Object Number: 500274  Size: SH
  22. Position the water pump belt tensioner (1) to the water crossover.
  23. Tighten
    Tighten the water pump belt tensioner bolts (3) to 10 N·m (89 lb in).


    Object Number: 500271  Size: SH
  24. Connect the water pump drive belt.
  25. Install the water pump drive belt shield.
  26. Install the water pump drive belt shield fasteners.
  27. Tighten

        • Tighten the water pump drive belt shield fasteners to 10 N·m (89 lb in).
        • Tighten the secondary AIR valve bracket nut to 9 N·m (80 lb in).
  28. Connect the cable harness clips to the cable harness at the front of the camshaft cover.

  29. Object Number: 1283865  Size: SH
  30. Ensure that the spark plug seals are in position.
  31. Install the ignition coils. Refer to Ignition Coil Replacement - Bank 2 .

  32. Object Number: 490598  Size: SH
  33. Connect the PCV fresh air tube (1) to the left camshaft cover.

  34. Object Number: 518338  Size: SH
  35. Position the J 38185  (2) to the clamp in order to connect the radiator inlet hose (1) to the water housing crossover.
  36. Install the fuel injector sight shield. Refer to Fuel Injector Sight Shield Replacement .
  37. Fill the cooling system. Refer to Cooling System Draining and Filling .