Valve cover removal

Hi everyone,
I'm new to this site and I will rely you experts for help on troubleshooting what appears to be a !!!MAJOR PROBLEM!!! with my 99 Venture.

Little background to the problem. 1st: in the morning we noticed a loss of power and choose to ignore it because it was intermitant. In the afternoon, was driving and everything was ok, stop at a red light. When light turned green... KLUNK - KLANK -KLANK - KLINK - pfffffffffffff - dead. Had it towed to a nearby shop, where, after starting the engine, for 5 seconds, their diagnose was probably a broken camshaft! $3000.00 or more to repair... If not the camshaft, still many thousands to repair. So, in the evening, we bought a 2003 Montana.

Anyway, now I got this Venture, doing nothing and worth nothing in the backyard so I want to try to find out and maybe repair the problem.

The best way to describe the problem is when the engines turns, it sounds like it's firing on only 2 or 3 cylinders. I figure, by removing the valve covers and cranking the engine, seing the valves working (or not working) is the best place to start.

My problem is I can't get the passenger side engine mount strut off. The Haynes manual talks about 2 bolts (which I removed) but still can't beat the thing off

Well you seem to have pinpointed the probable cause on the first try, and indeed, you need to remove that valve cover to confirm. Broken camshafts have been reported many times on this forum, one very recently.
I do not have that year model though but I think I remember some others have mentioned the problem with removing the strut...will try to find...

OK..found it:
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=429271
"...I already removed the passenger side strut mount on the engine that was a real stinker to get off because the Haines manual does not mention that two of the air conditioner compressor bolts go through this mount and you must remove them Also to get it off ! The Haines manual shows only two bolts ! The other two are hidden down there horizontal in the air conditioner compressor top ! "

On my 98' model, it is not necessary to remove the front strut. You should be able to remove the screws and squeeze it out of there. If you really do need to remove it, check out this post (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=2983729&postcount=26) I made a few years back that shows the bracket and the location of the 4 bolts + 1 stud.

If indeed it was the camshaft that broke, be prepared to remove the engine. Good luck.

Excellent !!! Sounds like I'll be able to find some good info on this forum, Thanks LMP and cdru (btw, I might need some copies).

The AC compressor will be next to go and the engine strut will follow. Right now I'm taking things apart, I'll worry about putting them back together later.

Ya I know, the engine will be coming out if it's the camshaft, probably bolt by bolt. But to me, the first step is still to look at valves, maybe it's just a pushrod or a lifter. I read (or heard) somewhere that sometimes the timing chain "jumps" off one of the sprockets... Now, That would cause big-time troubles, Yihaaaa...

From what I read on the forum, looks like I also have to worry about the intake gasket if I ever put the machine bak together.

Anybody want a buy 99 Venture, I'll make you a good deal...

The AC compressor will be next to go and the engine strut will follow. Right now I'm taking things apart, I'll worry about putting them back together later.The trick I learned when I did my LIM gasket the first time was go and buy a box of zip lock baggies. When you remove a bolt or several from a location, write on the bag with a marker and put the bolts in there. Makes it real easy later to figure out what bolts go where. Using a digital camera as you go makes a good reference too in case you want to see how things looked.

Ya I know, the engine will be coming out if it's the camshaft, probably bolt by bolt. But to me, the first step is still to look at valves, maybe it's just a pushrod or a lifter. I read (or heard) somewhere that sometimes the timing chain "jumps" off one of the sprockets... Now, That would cause big-time troubles, Yihaaaa...Camshaft requires removal of the block. Good luck.