Cylinder Head Cleaning and Inspection for Chevrolet Malibu 1997

Notice: Engine damage may result if an abrasive paper, pad, or motorized wire brush is used to clean any engine gasket surfaces.

Important: Do not use any other method or technique to clean these gasket surfaces.

1. Use a razor blade gasket scraper to clean the cylinder head and cylinder block gasket surfaces. Be careful not to gouge or scratch the gasket and combustion chamber surfaces.
2. Use a new razor blade for each cylinder head and cylinder block.

Important: The feel of the gasket surface is important, not the appearance. There will be indentations from the gasket left in the cylinder head after all to the gasket material is removed. These small indentations will be filled in by the new gasket.

3. Hold the razor blade as parallel to the gasket surface as possible.

Important: Do not use a tap to clean the cylinder head bolt holes.

4. Clean the old sealer/lube and dirt from the bolt, studs and bolt holes. Clean the bolt holes with a nylon bristle brush.

Caution: Wear safety glasses to avoid injury when using compressed air or any cleaning solvent. Bodily injury may occur if fumes are inhaled or if skin is exposed to chemicals.

5. When cleaning the cylinder head bolt holes 1-8 use a suitable commercial spray liquid solvent and compressed air from an extended-tip blow gun to reach the bottom of the holes.
6. Remove any broken long cylinder head bolts. Use the J 38188 .