GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 Pontiac 🢒 2005 🢒 Vibe - FWD 🢒 Engine 🢒 Engine Mechanical - 1.8L (LNK) 🢒 Cylinder Head Replacement

Removal Procedure
  1. Remove the left engine splash shield. Refer to Engine Splash Shield Replacement - Left Side in Body Front End.
  2. Remove the right engine splash shield. Refer to Engine Splash Shield Replacement - Right Side in Body Front End.
  3. Drain the engine oil.
  4. Drain the cooling system. Refer to Cooling System Draining and Filling in Engine Cooling.
  5. Remove the engine cover.

    6. Caution: Refer to Battery Disconnect Caution in the Preface section.

  6. Disconnect the battery ground cable.
  7. Remove the air cleaner assembly.
  8. Disconnect the accelerator cable.
  9. Relieve the fuel pressure. Refer to Fuel Pressure Relief in Engine Controls.
  10. Remove the secondary air injection (AIR) shut-off valve. Refer to Secondary Air Injection Solenoid Valve Replacement in Engine Controls.
  11. Remove the serpentine drive belt. Refer to Drive Belt Replacement .
  12. Remove the alternator. Refer to Generator Replacement .
  13. Remove the timing chain and sprockets. Refer to Timing Chain and Sprockets Removal .

    14. Object Number: 824870 Size: SH
  14. Remove the exhaust pipe.

    15. Object Number: 824940 Size: SH
  15. Remove the exhaust manifold bracket nut and bolts.
  16. Remove the ignition coils. Refer to Ignition Coil Replacement .
  17. Remove the spark plugs. Refer to Spark Plug Replacement .

    18. Object Number: 824977 Size: SH
  18. Disconnect the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) hoses from the cylinder head cover.
  19. Remove the throttle body. Refer to Throttle Body Assembly Replacement .
  20. Remove the fuel injectors. Refer to Fuel Injector Replacement .
  21. Remove one bolt and one nut from the accelerator cable bracket.
  22. Disconnect the engine coolant tempertature (ECT) sensor and camshaft position sensor electrical connectors.
  23. Disconnect the VVT and the VVTL electrical connectors.

    24. Object Number: 824991 Size: SH
  24. Disconnect the oil pressure switch and 2 ground electrical connectors.
  25. Remove 2 bolts from the engine wire harness bracket.
  26. Remove the intake manifold insulator.
  27. Remove the intake manifold. Refer to Intake Manifold Replacement .
  28. Remove the camshaft position sensor. Refer to Camshaft Position Sensor Replacement .
  29. Remove the ECT sensor. Refer to Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor Replacement .
  30. Remove the PCV valve and grommet. Refer to Positive Crankcase Ventilation Valve Replacement .
  31. Remove the intake camshaft. Refer to Intake Camshaft Replacement .
  32. Remove the exhaust camshaft. Refer to Exhaust Camshaft Replacement .
  33. Remove the bolt for the oil control valve.

    34. Object Number: 1258110 Size: SH
  34. Remove the bolt and the water by-pass pipe.
  35. Remove the bolt, gasket and oil control valve filter.
  36. Disconnect the upper radiator hose from the water house union.
  37. Disconnect the heater hose from the water hose union.

    38. Object Number: 234516 Size: SH
  38. Remove the following items in sequence:
    39. 38.1. The cylinder head bolts
    38.2. The cylinder head washers
  39. Remove the water bypass to cylinder block bolt.

    40. Object Number: 234526 Size: SH
  40. Remove the cylinder head.

    41. Object Number: 827276 Size: SH
  41. Remove the following items.
    42. • The upper exhaust manifold heat insulator bolts (1) and heat insulator
    • The exhaust manifold nuts (2) and bolts (3)
    • The exhaust manifold (4) and gasket
    • The lower exhaust manifold heat insulator bolts (5) and heat insulator

    Object Number: 235541 Size: SH
  42. Remove the cylinder head gasket (1).

    43. Object Number: 234571 Size: SH
  43. Clean the cylinder block mating surfaces.

    44. Object Number: 234792 Size: SH
  44. Clean the cylinder head mating surface.
  45. Clean the timing chain cover mating surface.

Installation Procedure

    Object Number: 827276 Size: SH
  1. Install the following items.
    2. • The lower exhaust manifold heat insulator and heat insulator bolts (5)
    • The exhaust manifold gasket and exhaust manifold (4)
    • The exhaust manifold nuts (2) and bolts (3)
    • The upper exhaust manifold heat insulator and heat insulator bolts (1)

    Notice: This engine uses special torque to yield head bolts. This design bolt requires a special tightening procedure. Failure to follow the given procedure will cause head gasket failure and possible engine damage.

  2. Clean the threads in the cylinder block.

    3. Object Number: 831055 Size: SH
  3. Apply sealant GM P/N 12346240 (Canadian P/N 10953493), or an equivalent, to the head gasket.
  4. Install the new cylinder head gasket on the cylinder block.
  5. Install the cylinder head on the cylinder block.

    6. Notice: This bolt is designed to permanently stretch when tightened, and therefore MUST be replaced anytime it is removed. The correct part number fastener must be used to replace this type of fastener. Do not use a bolt that is stronger in this application. If the correct bolt is not used, the parts will not be tightened correctly. The system or the components may be damaged.

  6. Install the cylinder head bolts and washers into the cylinder head.

    7. Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in the Preface section.


    Object Number: 235572 Size: SH
  7. Progressively torque the cylinder head bolts using two steps in the sequence shown.

    8. 1st Pass
    Tighten the cylinder head bolts to 35 N·m (26 lb ft).

    7.2. Mark the front of the cylinder head bolts with paint.

    2nd Pass
    After reaching the torque of 35 N·m (26 lb ft). Use a J 36660-A and tighten the cylinder head bolts an additional 180 degrees.

  8. Connect the heater hose to the water hose union.
  9. Connect the upper radiator hose from the water house union.
  10. Install the bolt, gasket and oil control valve filter.
  11. Install the bolt for the oil control valve.

    12. Tighten
    Tighten the oil control valve bolt to 29 N·m (22 lb ft).


    Object Number: 1258110 Size: SH
  12. Install the bolt and the water by-pass pipe.

    13. Tighten
    Tighten the oil water by-pass bolt to 21 N·m (15 lb ft).

  13. Install the exhaust camshaft. Refer to Exhaust Camshaft Replacement .
  14. Install the intake camshaft. Refer to Intake Camshaft Replacement .
  15. Install the PCV valve and grommet. Refer to Positive Crankcase Ventilation Valve Replacement .
  16. Install the ECT sensor. Refer to Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor Replacement .
  17. Install the camshaft position sensor. Refer to Camshaft Position Sensor Replacement .
  18. Install the intake manifold. Refer to Intake Manifold Replacement .
  19. Install the intake manifold insulator.
  20. Install 2 bolts to the engine wire harness bracket.

    21. Object Number: 824991 Size: SH
  21. Connect the oil pressure switch and two ground electrical connectors.
  22. Connect the VVT and the VVTL electrical connectors.
  23. Connect the ECT sensor and camshaft position sensor electrical connectors.
  24. Install 2 bolts from the accelerator cable bracket.

    25. Tighten
    Tighten the accelerator cable bolts to 13 N·m (10 lb ft).

  25. Install the fuel injectors. Refer to Fuel Injector Replacement .
  26. Install the throttle body. Refer to Throttle Body Assembly Replacement .

    27. Object Number: 824977 Size: SH
  27. Connect the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) hoses to the cylinder head cover.
  28. Install the spark plugs. Refer to Spark Plug Replacement .
  29. Install the ignition coils. Refer to Ignition Coil Replacement .

    30. Object Number: 824940 Size: SH
  30. Install the exhaust manifold bracket.

    31. Tighten
    Tighten the exhaust manifold bracket nut and bolts to 50 N·m (37 lb ft).


    Object Number: 824870 Size: SH
  31. Install the exhaust pipe.

    32. Tighten
    Tighten the exhaust pipe to 43 N·m (32  lb ft).

  32. Install the timing chain and sprockets. Refer to Timing Chain and Sprockets Installation .
  33. Install the right engine splash shield. Refer to Engine Splash Shield Replacement - Right Side in Body Front End.
  34. Install the left engine splash shield. Refer to Engine Splash Shield Replacement - Left Side in Body Front End.
  35. Install the generator. Refer to Generator Replacement in Engine Electrical.
  36. Install the AIR shut-off valve. Refer to Secondary Air Injection Solenoid Valve Replacement in Engine Controls.
  37. Install the serpentine drive belt. Refer to Drive Belt Replacement .
  38. Connect the accelerator cable.
  39. Install the air cleaner assembly.
  40. Install the engine cover.
  41. Refill the engine oil.
  42. Refill the cooling system. Refer to Cooling System Draining and Filling in Engine Cooling.