What to do when your timing cover is off?
Once everything is off, try tapping back and forth to help break the gasket loose. You may need to use a sharp and thin gasket scraper to tap between TC and front of block to get off. Once it’s off and you are proceeding with the repairs, take a close look at the timing chain and tensioneer while you are this far.
Where is coolant leaking from timing chain cover?
I did not use the sealant on the bolts, but did use a new gasket and had prepared the area. That was over a year ago. Where the coolant is leaking is not at the waterpump gasket seal, it is coming out below that about an inch and a half back of and below the right edge of the waterpump.
What kind of sealant to use on timing cover?
The FWSM says to apply GM 12346004 which crosses to Permatex High Temperature Red thread sealant to ends of bolts, generally a 10mm length of the thread sealant applied in area between 10-20 mm from end of bolts. Look at the bolts you pull out and add sealant position to your bolt map.
Can a gasket be removed while the oil pump is off?
While TC is off the oil pump will get “de-primed” from oil coming out of oil filter adapter, which you should remove and put new gasket on.
Once everything is off, try tapping back and forth to help break the gasket loose. You may need to use a sharp and thin gasket scraper to tap between TC and front of block to get off. Once it’s off and you are proceeding with the repairs, take a close look at the timing chain and tensioneer while you are this far.
The FWSM says to apply GM 12346004 which crosses to Permatex High Temperature Red thread sealant to ends of bolts, generally a 10mm length of the thread sealant applied in area between 10-20 mm from end of bolts. Look at the bolts you pull out and add sealant position to your bolt map.
While TC is off the oil pump will get “de-primed” from oil coming out of oil filter adapter, which you should remove and put new gasket on.
How big is the op gasket on a 3800pro?
If you are just doing a TC gasket change then the front area of OP gasket stuck to each side of TC is probably safely fixable with black RTV. But be CAREFUL, after removing TC, you will see a small vertical rectangle on the engine block about 1.25 inches inward from each side, about 1/4-3/16ths wide and ~3/8ths tall.