Front Valve Cover install pics.

[LittleHoov]

I just finished doing front valve covers, barely beat the rain, but I did haha.

The removal is pretty straightforward, the Chiltons and AllData information I have seen is dead on for the front cover.

This took me about an hour and a half, close to 2 I think, but a lot of that time was spent on the one bolt that is right next to the dipstick tube, which I could not seem to remove. It is part of the procedure to remove the tube, but I could find no tool that was capable of getting to that bolt, so I spent a long time one that one cover bolt.

This procedure is almost like a spark plug replacement, taken a couple steps further. I would like to add though, that the spark plug boots have no need to be removed, although all the procedure instructions say too, theres no need for it.

On to the pics!

After removing the cover, this is what started me in the face

I found that somewhat intimidating, and just to note that one of the spark plug seals stuck to the cover, thats why theres only 2 in this picture.




This is what the underside of the cover looks like, you cant mess up the gaskets, they fit into grooves, and only fit one way, I was particularly impressed with the perimeter gaskets, they actually clip onto the cover in multiple locations, making it next to impossible for the gasket to move upon re installation.


And theres what everything should look like before you put it back together.
I have more pictures, but most of them are just prior to removal of the cover.

[phewop118]

Congrats Littlehoov. Are you going to do the rear gaskets too? Let us know if your car stops consuming oil now.

[LittleHoov]

Yes, the rear is on the agenda, Im just needing a lot of time to devote too it, without bitter cold or rain, I like to work on cars, but Im not audtioning for Xtreme Mechanic or something.

The rears will be more time consuming, as theres a lot more to remove and deal with, not too mention Ill have to rotate the engine forward, as well as deal with actually getting too most of the stuff. But the back one is the one that had all the oil in there, so I assume it to be leaking.

[Hoppy2]

Good Luck LittleHoov,

I'm intrigued and am awaiting your findings. I'll help if I can, but have never removed anything other than the coolant from my 3.5 litre.

Hoppy

[Jimmy Olsen]

Nice to see the cams on an Intrigue. The insides look very clean.