How to Replace Valve Cover Gasket in a Pontiac Bonneville

Your 2000 through 2005 Pontiac Bonneville was designed to be gas efficient. This aids you in getting more miles to the gallon while enjoying your drive. Because of the driving experience, it is important to keep up the maintenance on your car. One form of this maintenance is to replace the valve cover gasket.

Instructions

Left Side

1

Allow the car engine to cool. Disconnect the negative battery cable. Partially drain the cooling system. Remove the fuel injector sight shield and the radiator inlet hose from the water housing crossover. Locate and disconnect the Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) fresh air tube from the camshaft cover. Remove the ignition coil cassette and the four spark plug boots. Locate and disconnect the cable harness clips at the front of the camshaft cover and position the cable harness aside.

2

Locate and remove the secondary air injection (AIR) valve bracket nut closest to the center of the engine. Gently pry outward slightly on the AIR valve bracket in order to gain clearance to remove the water pump drive belt shield nut. Remove the water pump drive belt shield fasteners, the water pump drive belt shield. Locate and disconnect the water pump drive belt. Loosen the two bolts attaching the water pump belt tensioner to the water crossover. Remove the water pump belt tensioner and the plastic dust cap from the end of the intake camshaft. Remove the water pump drive pulley from the intake camshaft.

3

Remove the three camshaft seal retainer bolts, the camshaft seal, and the camshaft cover bolts. Lift the camshaft drive end of the camshaft cover up. Remove the camshaft cover reward away from the water pump drive shaft. Clean and inspect the camshaft cover.

4

Remove the old gasket and place the new gasket in place. Replace the cover and tighten the bolts. Reverse the steps used to remove the parts initially.

Right Side

5

Make sure that the negative battery cable is disconnected. Remove the fuel injector sight shield. Locate and disconnect the Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) dirty air tube from the camshaft cover. Locate and disconnect the oxygen sensor wire. Locate and disconnect the vacuum tubes from the secondary air injection (AIR) vent solenoid. Locate and disconnect the AIR vent solenoid electrical connector. Remove the ignition coils, the nut securing the AIR tube and the AIR control valve bracket.

6

Locate and disconnect the cable harness clips at the front of the valve cover and position the cable harness aside. Locate and remove the nine camshaft cover bolts and the camshaft cover.

7

Remove the old gasket and put in the new gasket. Reverse the steps used to remove the engine parts initially.

8

Reconnect the negative battery cable. Add oil to the engine and start the car. Allow the car to run idle for 10 to 15 minutes allowing the oil to move to the top of the engine, lubricating the engine parts as it does.