Valve cover gasket question 3.4

[alaskaflyer]

Ok, I searched and I read the write up for the valve cover gasket replacement but that's for the 3.0 engine. Anyone who has the 3.4 done this? if so, did you have to take the upper plenum off first or were you able to get the upper and lower off together to get to the drivers side valve cover? also, any links to a write up for the 3.4 would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Gary

 

[Duhockey]

Snowrunner and I are gonna do this this week.

FoneRunner has been filling me in, looks like you need to take off the intake plenum to get to both valve covers.

I havent found a good writeup, but there are good parts diagrams that pretty much show you what you need to do.

 

[alaskaflyer]

Snowrunner and I are gonna do this this week.

FoneRunner has been filling me in, looks like you need to take off the intake plenum to get to both valve covers.

I havent found a good writeup, but there are good parts diagrams that pretty much show you what you need to do.

Yeah, I've been reading the maintenance manual and the plenum has an upper and lower part. When you read the manual for the valve job it has you take the upper section off first then the lower. I was hoping I could just leave the plenum together and lift it up just enough to get to the bolts on the valve cover. If I'm way off here someone correct me! Thanks for the reply Duhockey!

 

[Duhockey]

Interesting, yeah, Ill be watching to see if anyone knows this, we could use this info

 

[trailmix]

It comes off in two pieces but theres only like 4 or 6 bolts holding the top half to the bottom

 

[FoneRunner]

Like Trailmix said, you have to take it apart in two pieces and replace those plenum gaskets while your there. There's bolts you can't get to to take the lower part off without having the upper part off first...It's really not bad at all and goes back together with no problem. Let me know if you need more info...I just did the VC gaskets a few weeks ago...:reddance:

 

[alaskaflyer]

Roger that! Thanks guys!

 

[alaskaflyer]

Plenums and valve covers are off, went pretty quick once I knew what I had to do, just hope I can remember where all those freakin lines go LOL. I marked most the important ones! Had a small amount of sludge in the casing, cleaning that up today and should be finished after work tonight!

Also did the clock fix, and replaced the dimmer switch for the dash. After this...suspension and paint in the spring!

 

[VSG]

I started this job but haven't completed it yet.

What did you do for the wires (contained in the hard plastic channel) that feeds the injectors?

I found the clip near the back of the engine that allowed me to move whole wiring harness slightly. I was planning to just put it out of the way to get to the valve cover bolts, but if there's an easy way to disconnect the whole thing, I'd rather do that.

 

[FoneRunner]

I started this job but haven't completed it yet.

What did you do for the wires (contained in the hard plastic channel) that feeds the injectors?

I found the clip near the back of the engine that allowed me to move whole wiring harness slightly. I was planning to just put it out of the way to get to the valve cover bolts, but if there's an easy way to disconnect the whole thing, I'd rather do that.

Actually when I did the job, that plastic crumbled on me...which was kinda scary with the valve cover off. I had to unplug the injectors, but the harness stayed put where it was. I don't think you really need to move it for access...maybe for convenience, but you can definitely do the job without moving the whole harness.

 

[VSG]

Thanks for the info. Good to know there's enough clearance without needing to fully remove it.

The plastic was breaking where it's bolted to the valve cover (or was it the intake manifold?), so that's why I was a bit cautious about just pushing it out of the way to get access to the inner valve cover bolts.

 

[FoneRunner]

Be careful not to let that plastic fall down into the cam when you have the valve cover off...with mine I didn't even have to remove the bolts holding it down cause it all just crumbled away. Even with it there though, I don't think you'd need to unbolt it. There's enough room to work. Lets see some pics of those valves when you have the covers off! Here's one of mine...after all the plastic had come off the wiring...

 

[alaskaflyer]

I had a helluva time getting my drivers side valve cover out. That wiring harness is definately in the way. Should be interesting getting it back in. If I could find more time I'd be done but I get to work on it a couple hours here and an hour there... should be done by Friday. It better not leak!

 

[alaskaflyer]

Finished, with new spark plug wires and the correct spark plugs and all the cables correctly adjusted it runs great, better than ever in fact. Just want to thank everyone on this forum for the tips and pointers. Greatly appreciated!

Gary