GM 3.8L V6 Timing Chain Cover Gasket, Water Pump, Thermostat, Crankshaft Seal Replacement How-To

[@DaveDeBaillie]

This has to be the best tutorial I've seen on you tube. Minimum talk at the beginning, no unnecessary loud music, I don't want to dance. Great job thanks!!!!

[@mfm6]

Your video has helped so many of us. I replaced my water pump thinking that was my coolant leak, turns out it was leaking from the timing cover gasket, Pretty much the same spot, right side. Used the same gasket kit you used. Since the water pump had been replaced a couple of days before I didn't take it off the timing cover. I did however used the o rings for the upgraded metal coolant elbows, the ones they come with are trash, they leak. Some recommend buying oem Orings to use with the metal cooling elbows, I think the ones that come with this kit are better as well. Job is done, Short on coolant, getting that first thing in the morning as well as an oil change, some of dirt and brake cleaner fell into the oil pan. Thank to this video I was able to get this done in about 6 hrs. Scraping off the old gasket gunk was the most tedious part.

[@bobpamharrison8331]

Hi, did you have to reprime the oil pump?

[@AndreychukAndrey]

Thank you for the video. To remove the harmonic balancer I rented tool at AutoZone part # 57187 and it had the 3 bolts that thread in and a spacer. You can also rent 27296 and use with any harmonic balancer tool. Also when you remove the harmonic balancer take a picture of the shaft. To align the oil pump sprocket with the shaft. Cleaning everything was the hard part. I used a drill and a wire brush. Also clean all the bolt threads. I used Permatex Thread Sealant with PTFE # 80632 on the top 6 bolts and on the water pump bolts. I used blue thread lock on the bottom. Also I used 90 minute gasket maker on the bottom of the timing cover and where it installs. Also carful when you unscrew the 4 bolts to the oil pump housing where the oil filter goes. There will be a spring and a little metal bucket. Also I used a Ryobi 300ft pound impact to remove the harmonic balancer and install it. Hope this helps someone out.

[@MegaVortex]

Nice video! I'd recommend anyone doing this job to also replace those coolant elbows with good aluminum ones. You''ll save yourself pulling that alternator and tensioner assembly off a second time when the plastic ones fail. I learned this the hard way.

[@intosilence1773]

Do you know what are the torque specs for the timing cover bolts?

[@MegaVortex]

@@intosilence1773 I could be wrong, so you may want to ask the person who posted the video or check online. But I believe it's 15lb-ft for the first pass and 40 degrees on the final pass.

[@chooch502]

I cant believe the original plastic ones are still in there mine died many many years ago

[@99SigP]

Can't agree enough. Just finished changing out the plastic elbows with aluminum today because one of the plastic ones broke, dumped all my coolant and left me stranded.

[@MegaVortex]

@@99SigP Yep. That's the way she goes as the Trailer Park Boys would say. haha

[@lordginger636]

Dude this vid is bout to save me $800. Thanks for taking the time to make it and explain everything as well.

[@cdshawn]

Fixing my neighbor's leaky water pump is what brought me here... now I see it's a common issue and I am not the only one to mistake the leak.

[@aaaasssssmmmmmm]

Maaaaannnn you are THE MAN for making this video .. thats EXACTLY the same car and location my coolant was leaking from . THANK YOU

[@johnlove2216]

Great job on this video. My brother-in-law's 2007 buick lacrosse had leak in exact same spot and local mechanic shop wanted 1000.00 labor plus parts. So I did this job to help him out. Couldn't of done it without the help of your video..getting old gasket cleaned off engine was alot of work but everything turned out and vehicle all good now..Thanks for sharing this..

[@robertrousseau3361]

Great video, well explained, great camera work, audio and lighting .it was so good I turned a job down for a so called water pump leak. After further Inspection it was the timing cover gasket. Labor intensive, don't need the headache. Thanks for the great video I am going to let someone else deal with it. Customer said 2 other shops turned the job down, because of labor involved and time frame they had.

[@edizzle4shizz]

I got turned down by a shop today in the neighborhood... guess I gotta go to the BIG BOYS 😩

[@Hulk-qk6xr]

Thank you so much you have no idea how much of a lifesaver this video was every other video on this platform never showed things clearly enough

[@zhodge0]

I completed the task thanks to your video. I lubricated the o-rings with light soapy water. Again, thanks for the very helpful video.

[@BLUECOLLARGARAGE]

Awesome! Glad to hear it helped you out.

[@wmcwmc8623]

PRO TIP!!! If you don't have an impact gun, use the notches in a GM/Dodge fan clutch tool to stop the balancer from turning while you tighten the crank bolt, use the other pulleys as a reference to make sure It's lined up and in all the way, hope this helps anyone who doesn't have an impact gun, great video man thanks for sharing.

[@RussellClark-m2w]

I will say that you did a flawless job and instructed with no issues.. plus very detailed. Thank you for your help and video I have a great deal of time in turning wrenches but when I am not sure of what I am about to get into I turn to help such as this video and I am very thankful I come across this one and it was my first pick of videos. Again I'm am giving my thanks 👍....

[@komodokhan]

Brother, thank you because I will soon have to do the same exact job .My lucerne 07 is at 188,602 miles, and coolant is leaking from the same area as well. I'm also going to change the timing chain also so it's going to be a long day 😅. Thank you again truly Blessings

[@smitty-1815]

Thanks a ton !! Just replaced the timing gasket and water pump on my daughter's 07 grand prix 3.8 supercharged. Followed this video step by step and the cars running cool w\ no leaks now. was difficult getting all the gasket material cleaned up. I just worked at it w\ a razor blade and some wd40. took me two days to finish . excellent video!

[@BLUECOLLARGARAGE]

Glad to hear it helped you out. It also took me awhile using a razor scrapping off all the old gasket thats why I didn't record it and bore everyone with it.

[@onemanarmy1990]

Aye im changing mine as we speak on my 06 supercharged i got felpro kit too metal gaskets wish me luck im on day 3

[@chanceandashana]

Wow what a great video. I need a tv in the shop kept having to paus the video run back to shop do two or three steps run back out.got her done thoe. Thankyou..

[@jimk7882]

Thank you!! This is the best step by step instructional vid I have seen on KZbin.

[@BLUECOLLARGARAGE]

Glad I can help, thanks for the positive feedback.

[@Liberatus]

I agree, that was an impressive step by step video- one of the best I’ve seen on utube. Obviously a professional production team. The camera work.and lighting could not be achieved without direction.

[@BLUECOLLARGARAGE]

Thanks for the positive feedback I appreciate it.

[@isuzuaxiom9576]

Excellent video. This is the quality video KZbin should only publish. Thank you..

[@evanhovorka]

Thank you for this excellent walk through! One of the most thorough and thoughtful videos out there for car repair

[@JohnLembo-p3o]

Excellent video and superb teacher should do millions more videos thank you

[@MrFord2024]

Im so nervous that i might have to do all this. So thankful for this video. Def saving. I really dont want to have to pay to get it done.

[@BLUECOLLARGARAGE]

Good luck let me know if you run into any problems and I’ll try to answer them.

[@rejeanpinette6570]

Excellent tutorial for my 2008 lucerne I initially couldn't budge the harmonic balancer bolt then sprayed with some napa screw loose went to see some other ways to remove it like the crazy starter trick so after about 20 to 15 minutes went out expecting not to get it off and it came off like butter I have a electric impact gun

[@egrayson2031]

Thanks! One of the best vids on this. Step by step is awesome. I'm replacing the timing chain and oil pump, while I'm in there. Thanks for the link to the gasket set, too. 👍

[@davidlaws1438]

GM 3800 ,,best engine ever made I've had 2, one an 88 grand prix 300,000 when sold my current one is a 2000 grand prix GTP just turned 237.000😊

[@edgbostonnorth7167]

Thank you for the informative video, good lighting good audio and explanations.

[@TheIronFist95]

Excellent video, you show a ton of angles and honestly even though there's a few differences (pretty much just the engine mount) from 2005 - > 2006 I managed to complete the job without any mechanical issues... However screw the gasket, holy Satan's flaming butt scraping off the old gasket took me like 2 hours. Despite having all the right tools and even a surface prep pad.

[@BLUECOLLARGARAGE]

Thanks! Yeah lol that’s why I didn’t record that part took me awhile as well.

[@aCiD0L2]

BRO! Thank you so much! I fixed my leak!! - But now I have a bigger issue. The car wont crack! I think when I was trying to take off the harmonic balancer bolt, is what caused my issue. I think my timing is off. Because my air impact wouldn't work, nor did my electric m12 either. I had to bust it off by propping my breaker bar against the concrete and "bumping" the starter or on other words, cranking the car with my key real quick to rotate it. That finally broke the bolt off. But before that, I ended up trying with a breaker bar/ratchet. I thought i was loosening the bolt, but it turns out i was just rotating the crankshaft. Which i think is causing my timing to be off, because now after all that work - my car won't start :( So, I appreciate the video! But just a heads up for anyone. Try and not rotate the harmonic balancer. I'm getting my car towed to my mechanic, since this is now in the realm outside of my knowledge/skillset/toolset.

[@BLUECOLLARGARAGE]

Thanks for the positive feedback. As far as your timing it shouldn't be off because you never removed the timing chain so as your crankshaft pulley moves so does your timing chain and camshafts so the timing should be the same. Did you double check to make sure everything else was plugged in and hooked up? Is it cranking and just not turning over?

[@aCiD0L2]

@@BLUECOLLARGARAGE Yes, its cranking - just not turning over. I'll double check to make sure everything was plugged in tomorrow when its not so dark lol. The check engine light popped up, but my OBD scanner showed no codes. Appreciate you replying bro, thanks again for the video!

[@aCiD0L2]

@@BLUECOLLARGARAGE I know that ring terminal, that looks like it grounds the coil pack, broke off when i was undoing my bolts. I replaced it with a new one - so maybe they're not properly grounded?

[@joeberg9823]

I've read you can accidentally knock off the cam sensor magnet when re-installing the timing cover for anyone reading this. Make sure you do not knock out the magnet from the timing chain cam gear when you re-install the timing cover.

[@aCiD0L2]

*I FIXED IT* Figured I'd post my solution for anyone that stumbled upon this and has the same problem. I had replaced my Camshaft Position Sensor (autozone - SU196) and Crankshaft Position Sensor (autozone - SU198) , and then while the harmonic balancer was off - me and my mechanic rotated the crankshaft with a breaker bar so the "pin", (you match up with the harmonic balancer), inside was facing all the way down or as close as possible. Then with a marker, we marked a line on the balancer as a guide from the cutout on the inside of it to make sure it was all lined up. Then we put it back together and the timing was right and the car fired right up. So it was an issue with the timing and me not putting the balancer back on correctly (after checking everything else). But to be sure, after doing all that, we replaced the two sensors as well since we had to go down there. Good luck to anyone that sees this with the same issue as me! PS - you can probably find OEM sensors on Amazon for cheaper with prime shipping :p but i wanted to get my car rolling the same day.

[@claudiosantana3320]

Thnk u, the timing cover leak is almost unmentioned

[@trab5933]

Nice job...Well done.. Mine just went out today had car 7mos no problem.. Went to fill up an make it home fluid everywhere in driveway.

[@edizzle4shizz]

Just happened to me after having car a year. Bought a water pump, still leaking. Shop is gonna rip me a new one 😔

[@zhodge0]

Thank you. This is a very good video and very helpful for my task. One thing, silicone is used to lubricate rubber, oil to lubricate metal, oil can deteriorate rubber. Also, nice to state that the oil should be changed.

[@mcphailpeter]

This video was extremely helpful. Saved me lots of $$$ thanks a bunch!

[@elcaballopapi]

I had the same issue, timing cover gasket, thanks for the video.

[@charlesmount4088]

Amateur Tip: I got nice industrial grade impact wrench rated for 90 PSI and 7 SCFM. My compressor is rated for 5.5 SCFM @ 90 PSI. I thought I was all set with burping it to allow the compressor to catch up. After about 3 hours over 4 days and the crankshaft bolt not budging, I had a flash back to about 40 years ago when had to remove a crankshaft pulley on my 198 Slant 6 Dodge Demon. I was at the Auto Hobby Shop, NAS Oceana and when the guy behind the counter checked me in he told me I had to go to the High Bay. I did the repair and when I turned the impact wrench back in I asked why the air pressure was so high in the High Bay and wouldn't that damage the impact wrench. He said the wrench will be fine and if I did not use the higher pressure, I would be trying to remove that bolt for days. So after that flashback I got a shorter hose and turned up my compressor regulator as high as it would go 110+ PSI and sure enough that bolt backed right on out after about 10 minutes. Hope this saves someone some time.

[@johnnyrouse2713]

I didn't hear anything about aligning the oil pump lineup before first time I had to take it back off first time doing it so didn't know the oil pump was part of the timing cover all is well and the video did definitely help me get it done

[@AndreychukAndrey]

Aligning the notch?

[@taintless69]

I just did this job and now am getting low oil pressure warning light. I did separate the oil filter adapter housing and changed the gasket. I saw the pressure relief spring and plunger, but no oil pump or alignment needed. What are you referring to?

[@johnnyrouse2713]

The oil pump is part of the water pump housing timing cover

[@taintless69]

Ah yes, I see that now after further research. Looks like I forgot to remove the oil pump housing and pack it with petroleum jelly before reassembling. Can you prime the 3800 oil pump like an LS, by gravity through the oil pressure sensor port?

[@chipmaker67]

Very good video, thank you for sharing your time and talent.

[@daydrinkingwithdougie3496]

I’m getting ready to take on this project and have very little knowledge of this stuff. Just for clarity, the people who experienced low oil pressure what was the cause of that? Was it from replacing the oil filter gasket? Or something else I should be aware of?

[@cocodog85]

i've had five buicks and two pontiacs all with the 3800 and i've never had a coolant leak for the timing chain cover. the highest mileage car had 150k and i had to change the plastic altenator bracket elbows which had become brittle after ten years. i did however get rid of the gm dexcol which i read was hard on the gaskets. therefore i recommend that all owners change the dexcol as early as possible.

[@christopherhendricks4369]

Prestone is great. No issues with it. I agree. Dexcool is garbage

[@tomhensley3947]

Fantastic video! Thank you very much for taking the time to film and post this excellent instructional video. 🙂

[@richardnott9587]

Watched the whole thing and you did a good job from a mechanics stand point. Don't want to be picky but you put the balancer puller upside down. Was wondering if it was going to bend the bolts because of that but it did fine.

[@mcphailpeter]

I'm seeing that some people say you should never install the harmonic balancer with an impact but instead use a special install tool. Thoughts? Seemed to work ok for you. Do I risk damaging threads?

[@BLUECOLLARGARAGE]

You will be fine using a impact just make sure to start it by hand and not sit there and crank on it forever. I’ve never had an issue.

[@charlesmount4088]

I ended up replacing the timing cover entirely. Looking through several KZbin videos it looks like I need to prime the oil pump once it is put back. As best as I can figure out I need screw in a 3/8" fuel hose with a funnel on the other end into the oil pressure sensor port. Then take a quart of oil, pour in slowly and let drain in for at least 5 minutes. Then I can replace the oil pressure sensor. Does that sound right? Do you know of a better way to do it? This is my first time on this kind of repair and your advice has really been helpful.

[@charlesmount4088]

Answering my own question, Melling advice: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rYmYd3mPnM-LeKc Saw one KZbin vid where the guy packed it with Vaseline. Read in another thread where somebody did this with bad results. kzbin.info/www/bejne/a2ScdJ-NjK-Aopo A Melling vid and this vid recommend the funnel and drain in QT of oil. kzbin.info/www/bejne/oGHIfKSgg5KDrck

[@BLUECOLLARGARAGE]

Sorry haven't checked my comments in awhile. The way you described sounds right. I have also pulled all the spark plugs before and cranked over the engine a few times and letting the starter cool in between sets and that has worked. but the method you described should work just fine especially because its not a new dry engine so everything else will still be lubed.

[@taintless69]

I just did this job and now am getting a low oil pressure warning light and alarm. Could my issue be I didn’t prime the pump? When I had the engine cover and oil filter adapter housing apart I didn’t see an oil pump or anything to prime.

[@rainfieldmusic]

Thanks very helpful 👍

[@lorettabrown8834]

You are doing a great job, but you may want to put the water pump on before install of the cover. Just a suggestion

[@johnjacoby7872]

Thank you for this video. I had the same leak.

[@robertthomas8503]

Excellent video. Thank you for sharing.

[@andrewhutson8299]

Great video sir! Super helpful. 👍

[@beachcomberben]

Just wanted to thank ya,you got me through this and I made it look easy,and it's most definitely not easy at all.good work,great video,and thanks!

[@dontes93]

Do you have to worry about the time being on track when removing the timing cover

[@BLUECOLLARGARAGE]

No it doesn’t matter on the timing since all you’re doing is removing the cover.

[@pahlowalia]

Great job thank you for your detailed video keep up the good work again thanks bro god bless

[@DTP4207]

Anyone know of any instructions on actually removing and installing a new timing chain. Only repair manuals I've found are in PDF format. Videos are definitely helpful. Great video by the way. I just needed the changing the timing chain part to finish. I also have the 06 Buick Lucerne CX 3.8

[@qcbtbx]

Excellent video!

[@davidsewell1236]

Fantastic video! Quality videoing!

[@robertmarx7278]

You are the MAN!

[@bonzaibarty]

Good job, good video, thank you!

[@empackmanmueller1725]

Good job but where did you get the parts? My buick keeps losing coolant and I'm thinking it's pump etc...elbows have been replaced with metal ones...any ideas on why it's losing coolant. Once a month I'm having to fill it back up...otherwise that 3800 engine is a tank, and indestructible!!

[@BLUECOLLARGARAGE]

It’s most likely that timing chain cover gasket like in the video this was a very common issue on the GM 3.8l. You can get all the parts off Amazon here are a few links. Acdelco water pump: amzn.to/3BhR42d Timing cover gasket: amzn.to/3vhPqKd

[@michaelc9721]

excellent video - thank you!

[@Cudagirl1970]

This is awesome content, detail and camera work. I am curious what kind of camera/lighting set up you use? It would be great to document my DIY projects for reference. Thank you for this great resource!

[@derrickmcdaniel6105]

Great video do recommend replacing the bolts or just adding rtv sealant to the bolt

[@BLUECOLLARGARAGE]

Not sure which bolts are you referring to?

[@derrickmcdaniel6105]

@@BLUECOLLARGARAGE The water-jacket ones in the timing cover. Two of mine have heavy calcium on them. Also is any sealant needed on the timing cover gasket of just reinstall and go?

[@charlesmount4088]

Tried to install new timing cover without success. I wiggled it around trying to figure out where hang up was. It wasn't at the top and seemed to be lower right. The lower dowel pin isn't hanging up, so I think the pump cover may be slightly misaligned when I rebuilt it. I checked by installing the old cover w/o oil pump and it slid right in like in you video. I think I have to take the pump cover off again and align it correctly to be sure. Any advice on how to do that other than trial and error? I am scratching my head on this because the pump cover screws are countersunk Torx 30 and I thought if you tighten them progressively they will align the cover to the holes. I tightened them in clockwise progression like I was taught for conflat vacuum flanges with copper gasket. I did not alternate like putting a tire on a car, if that makes a difference. Should I put something on the cover plate like Prussian Blue and then try to install it to see where it is hanging up? I will also review what I can find from Melling. This is beyond what you tried to show, so thank you for your help.

[@charlesmount4088]

Just came up with a plan. I will see if I can measure if the crankshaft is centered on hole in old cover. I have to take the oil pump apart on new cover because it is binding on part of the rotation, so when I do that I can put in back on the car without the pump and verify if it is centered which should be easy since it has a new seal. If not centered then the new cover is no good and I will go back to the old cover which I just got another FelPro gasket set for TCS 45971 which comes up as for a 2005 Buick Lacrosse CX. All the auto parts places told me TCS 46077 is for 2006 Buick Lacrosse CX, but the one I got and returned didn't fit. Wondering if some 2005 GM 3800 Series III engines got put into 2006 Buick Lacrosses up in Canada. There is a casting number on the old cover, I will look into if that will identify the year of the engine.

[@mikegalati1127]

a couple tips - 1.) Use permatex black 'the right stuff' for sealing the bottom of the timing cover to the oil pan. I initially used permatex red high temp rtv and when i had to pull the cover back off about a month later, the sealant was still pasty. 2.) Don't replace the crankshaft seal with the seal which is included in the felpro gasket kit. The felpro timing cover and water pump gaskets work good, but the crank seal turns out to have a bad reputation for leaking (it leaked after i replaced the original seal which wasn't leaking, and i ended up having to replace it with the genuine gm seal)

[@DrDevon23]

My repair manual says to drain engine oil. Did you do that before popping the timing cover?

[@BLUECOLLARGARAGE]

I drained it after. It doesn’t matter you can do it before or after. I choose to do it after so that if any coolant went into oil it come out with the oil when draining.

[@ThePaintPaperHustle]

great video

[@adammolnar2169]

does the oil pump have to be timed with anything like the crank .

[@AndreychukAndrey]

There is a notch on the oil pump gear and on the crank where the oil pump gear line up. This you figured it out? Or it doesn't matter?

[@derekwatkins97]

Good info now I’m ready to do the job

[@BLUECOLLARGARAGE]

Thanks glad I could help.

[@lueellis8772]

Great Video 💯

[@LuisLopez-zh6dy]

thanks Amigo for you tips

[@Feasel091390]

Whats the torque spec for the timing cover bolts? And crank bolt?

[@bonniejohnson1518]

is this basically the same on the 2009 3.9 Buick lucerne engine? Thanks, willie

[@BLUECOLLARGARAGE]

Since it’s a completely different engine it will be a little different process than this but very similar.

[@gregmoser4874]

What was the cost on parts out of curiosity? Timing cover was a must but you mentioned the thermostat was good so you didnt neccesarily have to change that if i heard correctly? So if the timing cover is causing the leak that is a must but if the water pump and thermostat are good you can keep them?

[@BLUECOLLARGARAGE]

Thermostat is optional but the water pump you might as well replace it since you need to remove it anyways. Cost wise you’re probably looking at around $125-$150 after buying oil and coolant plus parts.

[@CRuZ_CoNTRoL.]

I have the same metal gasket set. I installed it just as you did but I'm not yet finished completing the job. I was concerned about not using rtv on it. Have you had it leak at all?

[@michaelivanoff7484]

I see the Oil filter is attached to the timing chain cover, did you have to drain the oil to complete this job?

[@BLUECOLLARGARAGE]

Yes you will want to drain it and change the oil at the end because the old oil can get contaminated by coolant and the old gasket debris when removing the cover.

[@gbfresh820]

I love your video..you did very good job

[@gabrielito28801]

Thank you for the video good 👍

[@Whit_Siever]

Some items I would address since I've dug that deep: remove oil pan and replace pan's level sensor o-ring, re-draw pan RTV bead; power steering pump has 2 o-rings, why not; lower passenger side motor mount

[@fusiong-pl7mr]

Great video like more.

[@luispatino3180]

Old video but did your crank seal leak after install? Mine did, have to replace with gm oem gasket now and hope for the best

[@bwet2901]

Is that crank bolt the one that you should be using a two step tightening process with a torque wrench very specifically because of some woodruff key? I don't know where that is just something I read concerning not wanting it to slip or crack spindle

[@scottpollack1616]

Thanks for the great video! I had this exact issue on my 2005 Lacrosse - coolant leak resolved with this gasket change at our neighborhood shop. When it was put back together, I now have a low oil pressure light and ticking/rattle at the top of the engine like it is not getting sufficient oil delivery up there. Any thoughts on what could have caused this? Someone below mentions a spring that popped out for them during repair - is this a pressure blow-off valve in the timing cover that may have been misassembled during the repair? My mechanics are thinking that the oil pump is bad but I had no history of this prior to this repair. Thanks!

[@BLUECOLLARGARAGE]

Did the shop do an oil change after replacing all this? Because coolant and gasket debris can fall down into the oil pan.

[@scottpollack1616]

@@BLUECOLLARGARAGE Yes, they did an oil change and replaced the oil filter. In fact, they changed the oil filter again, thinking it was a potentially plugged filter causing the problem (easy thing to try). That did not resolve. They are currently retracing their steps down to the timing cover, hoping they will find the issue - that's why I was asking if there were low hanging fruit things to look for like a missing spring. Thanks!

[@Dab__squad__]

I just had my tc gasket, and water pump replaced and now my oil gauge is fluctuating as well. Going to change the oil pressure sender in hopes that fixes the issue. Strange I've seen this happen to quite a few people doing some research.

[@Dab__squad__]

​@@scottpollack1616 did you ever find out what was causing this issue. I'm having the exact same issue with oil pressure gauge fluctuating and oil light coming on after tc gasket replacement. Replaced the sending unit with no luck fixing what the gauge is reading

[@scottpollack1616]

@@Dab__squad__ Sorry for the delay... I don't know what eventually fixed it. My mechanic tore my engine apart (thru the tc) several times trying to root-cause. We thought that it may be the blow off valve/spring assembled wrong... but it was correct. It eventually "corrected itself"? upon re-assembly and idling for 20 minutes. My theory is that the pump needed to be primed (or evacuated of all the air), which it eventually did after running a little while. Strangely, after the repair, we had 2 oil leak issues within about a month - both from the oil pressure sensor - not from being loose, but a failure from the sensor itself. Replaced it twice and it's been running clean since.

[@youngdeity666]

Did you clean the gasket area with brake cleaner? Respectfully

[@BLUECOLLARGARAGE]

Yep, I just spray it on a clean rag and wipe it down.

[@youngdeity666]

Gratitudes. Another query I got the cover and everything is pristine. Now I’m attempting to insert it back on plus FelPro metal Gasket keeps jiggling any ideas? Can I put some gasket maker on the gasket it self? And seemingly the cover is acting funny like it don’t want to refit I’ll get it but I’m to close

[@charlesmount4088]

Thanks. Hoping not to mess with the CS, but I have a reference now. PS remove/replace helpful, not seen elsewhere. Going to replace the whole tensioner assembly, heating elbows and hose nipples due to corrosion/age. Parts cheap compared to labor/inconvenience. Using RockAuto parts as much as possible as much cheaper than Advanced Auto/Autozone/Oreilly's.

[@BLUECOLLARGARAGE]

Thanks. You can also get the part number off rockauto and then type that in through Amazon I’ve found a lot of the same parts on Amazon for around the same price as rockauto.

[@charlesmount4088]

Having difficulty getting the new serpentine belt to get over the alternator pulley. Any suggestions, like soak it in hot water to make it more flexible?

[@BLUECOLLARGARAGE]

Try putting it on the alternator first and then slipping it onto the idler pulley last see if that works.

[@charlesmount4088]

@@BLUECOLLARGARAGE Double checked to make sure it was the correct belt. Ran the belt through a pot of hot but not boiling water with the hope of relaxing the EDPM. I got a belt tensioner tool loner from O'Reilly's. That tool really made a difference, I could not have done it without one. I was just a couple of millimeters from slipping it over the alternator pulley, then I tried your suggestion and just barely slipped it up onto the tensioner pulley. It's on and it looks to be aligned everywhere. In this case "barely" works for me. Thanks for the suggestion.

[@WheelsofSteal]

Great video

[@sbcandmagnum]

Well made video

[@johnnyrouse2713]

This is a great video and I appreciate it on but for some reason I put mine back together and now it will not crank I looked at another video and said that we should talk that harmonic balancer 111 foot-pounds and then turn it 70°difference pull the harmonic balancer back off and check that crank sensor and see if it's messed up somehow

[@chuckt9630]

Awesome video I saved $800. One thing I had a problem with were the (3) 3/8 bolts that were holding on to timing cover. Use your impact drill to take off, I used normal ratchet and two bolts broke off…

[@BLUECOLLARGARAGE]

Glad to hear it saved you $$$ thanks for the positive feedback

[@presmak0542]

excellent Job!

[@bjbuchanan7326]

Great video. I also have same issue with my 2006 Buick Lucerne water leak behind the water pump. You still fix cars?? Lol

[@mrkhokhar4895]

Water pump was in great condition

[@mikebrown7831]

great video!Question..I was cleaning the timing chain cover and a little barrel with one end open and a spring came out of somewhere.Iam not for sure where they go,I would appreciate some direction if you know where they go.

[@BLUECOLLARGARAGE]

To tell you the truth I'm not to sure especially without seeing it. To bad there isn't anyway of posting pics on here. You could always take a pic and send it to my channels email if you can't figure it out. Thanks for the positive feedback and watching.

[@mikebrown7831]

@@BLUECOLLARGARAGE it was the oil sending unit ,if it comes back up ..with the oil filter housing removed the spring goes in first then the plunger goes in the only port that it will fit in,open end of plunger over the spring then bolt oil filter housing back to timing chain cover.also wana let you know your video was very helpful thankyou,Mike

[@BLUECOLLARGARAGE]

@@mikebrown7831 thats good to know for in the future. Thanks for watching and the positive feedback much appreciated 👍

[@Brian-fo8sh]

Great video. I’m changing out the notorious GM valve cover gaskets on my 96 LeSabre. It has 118k miles and it’s starting to leak a little around the valve covers so I’m changing them. I’m also going to replace the water pump as general maintenance because I have to remove the tensioner bracket to access the rear valve cover. I was a little nervous about that power steering pump bolts). I’m using a Fel Pro (blue rubber gasket) for the water pump. Do you think it’s ok to use a micro thin layer of Permatex water pump/thermostat housing gasket sealer on the pump? I only have one coolant elbow that is already aluminum but it has been replaced. I’ll put a new one on to just be sure. I also did not notice the use of thread sealer for the water jackets. Did you use sealer? Again, great video!! New subscriber for sure.

[@BLUECOLLARGARAGE]

The seal for the water pump is designed to not use any permatex gasket sealer. I did not use and sealer in the water jackets bolts and never had any issues. Thanks for subbing!

[@Brian-fo8sh]

@@BLUECOLLARGARAGE sounds great. Thx for getting back with me.

[@john_thorpe]

Wonder how similar this is to my 3.5 L V6 in my 07 Monte. The dealer did a dye test and said the small oil leak is coming from the front timing cover and the oil pan gasket.

[@haroldbrown9603]

Nice job bro

[@freightpeddler]

Great job

[@edizzle4shizz]

Wow... you're good 👍

[@jonathanwright5005]

I need help with the sealing of the cover!!!

[@BLUECOLLARGARAGE]

What’s going on with it?

[@charlesdipanni3725]

Nice video

[@flyfishingmanchild1226]

I did everything in the video, now I do not have battery when I turn the key… do you know what could be happening?

[@BLUECOLLARGARAGE]

Did you end up figuring it out? Did you double check all the ground wires?

[@flyfishingmanchild1226]

@@BLUECOLLARGARAGE Straight up, my dads friend was talking about how he swapped a chevy 350 into an old blazer and it didn't run, and he chased electrical issues for hours before he realized it was a ground wire. So I checked my grounds, and sure enough, I put the bolt through the terminal ring on the frame ground, but didn't tighten it down. I tightened it, and she started, ran, and didn't leak. Thanks for the help man!

[@stevewheatley243]

Those are M6 bolts in the harmonic balancer. I just done my crank sensor.

[@iansmith5052]

What if I don’t have an impact gun is this a feasible garage repair

[@BLUECOLLARGARAGE]

Yeah you can still do it using a breaker bar and starter method to break the crankshaft bolt free. There should be plenty of videos on here showing how to use this method just be careful doing it

[@iansmith5052]

@@BLUECOLLARGARAGE thanks

[@iansmith5052]

@@BLUECOLLARGARAGE update I just used the starter method and it worked thanks again

[@BLUECOLLARGARAGE]

@@iansmith5052 glad to hear. Let me know if you have any other questions.