GM 12600326
Front Cover

To remove the engine front cover for rpos lc9, lh6, lmg, ly2, and ly5 remove the Water Pump and the crankshaft balancer on top of it. Detach the back of the engine harness electrical connector from camshaft position cmp sensor wire harness, after that remove Oil Pan front cover bolts and front cover bolts. Remove the seal gasket and front, discard the gasket and remove crankshaft front oil seal. In case of changing the engine front cover, checking the cmp sensor o-ring seal for damage; if the lamp is intact, lubricate with clean engine oil, and installed the cmp sensor. Move the cmp sensor wire harness on the front cover and attach the cmp sensor and secure the wire harness bolts using 12 nm (106 lb in). Applying a 5 mm (0.20 in) long, 20 mm (0.80 in) wide bead of sealant, fit the new engine front cover gasket with front cover to the engine to the Oil Pan to engine block junction. Mount the front cover bolts and Oil Pan-to-front cover bolts to hand-tight, then mount the j 41476 tool to the front cover, align the tapered legs with the machined alignment surfaces. Retighten Oil Pan to front cover bolts & engine front cover bolts to 25 nm (18 lb ft), remove the j 41476 tool, connect the engine harness electrical connector to the cmp sensor wire harness, and fit a new crankshaft front oil seal. Finally, reinstall the Water Pump.

Changing the engine front cover on lh6 lmg ly2 ly5 5.3l models requires first removing both the Water Pump and crankshaft balancer. Start by disconnecting the engine harness electrical connector from the camshaft position (CMP) sensor wire harness. Then remove the front cover bolts and Oil Pan-to-front cover bolts in sequence. Separate the front cover by removing it along with the gasket while throwing out the worn gasket afterward so you can remove the crankshaft front oil seal. When replacing the engine front cover check the cmp sensor o-ring seal for damage before lubricating it with clean engine oil for future installation of the cmp sensor. After placing the cmp sensor wire harness in front of the front cover you must connect it to the sensor then torque its bolts (1 and 6) to 12 n.m (106 lb in). Place a 5 mm (0.20 in) sealant bead on the engine block to Oil Pan joint before installing the new front cover gasket and front cover accompanied by Oil Pan-front cover bolts torqued to specification. Position the front and rear cover alignment tool (J 41476) to align the front cover before installing the crankshaft balancer bolt to its initial position. Tighten all Oil Pan to front cover bolts and engine front cover bolts to 25 n.m (18 lb ft). Reinstall the crankshaft front oil seal while also reconnecting the engine harness electrical connector to the cmp sensor wire harness. After that, replace the Water Pump.

Reposition the power steering fluid reservoir, remove the power steering pump pulley, and then the power steering pump upper front bolt while loosening the remaining bolts.

Remove the engine front cover with the water pump and disassemble it, taking care to clean the sealing surfaces without using sharp or metal scrapers.

Clean and inspect the engine front cover, then remove the oil seal (140), bolts (705, 738), camshaft position sensor (703), and wire harness (737), and take off the O-ring (704) from the sensor as needed.