[raeH]

Hello everyone:

I'm trying to change my valve cover gaskets. The picture shows how far I've gotten. But I can't seem to get the valve cover off. I'm assuming that it has a sealant on it that's got it fused in their something tough. All the bolts are off but it still won't budge. Anyone have an idea of how to get it off?

Thanks,

Rae

2003 CTS 3.2 L

 

[arogers260]

Hello everyone:

I'm trying to change my valve cover gaskets. The picture shows how far I've gotten. But I can't seem to get the thing off. I'm assuming that it has a sealant on it that's got it fused in their something tough. It won't budge. Anyone have an idea of how to get it off?

Thanks,

Rae

2003 CTS 3.2 L

<img src="http://www.cadillacforums.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=102089"/>

Your only half way there buddy. That is the top of the valve cover the gasket is underneath and in order to get it off the plenum, and intake need to come off.

 

[raeH]

Actually the intake is off - I should have taken a broader picture - as it is now there is nothing in the way hindering the cover from coming off except the cover itself which is stuck - all 8 bolts are off - it just won't budge - maybe sealant on the gasket?

 

[allexx123]

hello friends

That is the top of the valve cover the gasket is underneath and in order to get it off the plenum, and intake need to come off.
aajtak

 

[sandalet]

You must remove the intake manifold. Then there will be access to the valve cover.

 

[arogers260]

Actually the intake is off - I should have taken a broader picture - as it is now there is nothing in the way hindering the cover from coming off except the cover itself which is stuck - all 8 bolts are off - it just won't budge - maybe sealant on the gasket?

Based off your picture it looks like the intake is still on there. There are I believe 8 torx screws done inside it to remove, I used a long Allen wrench because i couldn't fit the torx socket between the injectors.

 

[sandalet]

Fuel rail and injectors also desirable to dismantle.

 

[jran0823]

Don't pull the fuel rail and injectors off. Just disconnect the fuel lines and remove the injectors with the intake manifold.

 

[arogers260]

Don't pull the fuel rail and injectors off. Just disconnect the fuel lines and remove the injectors with the intake manifold.

That's how I did it, didn't feel like messing with the fuel lines.

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This is what you should look like with the valve covers off

 

[sandalet]

That's how I did it, didn't feel like messing with the fuel lines.

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This is what you should look like with the valve covers off

You did the right thing, because to disconnect the fuel line needs a special tool. It is not for everyone.
By the way which run at your Cadillac? My about 220,000 miles, it was a lot of dirt under the valve covers. I think that the problem is due to poor engine oil from the previous owner (it was a 63-year-old woman from Pennsylvania) I am not able to clear, varnish deeply ingrained into the metal.

 

[beigecat]

First, MAKE SURE ALL BOLTS ARE REMOVED.Use a flathead screw driver and pry between head and valve cover. And or a couple wacks on the sideof the valve cover with a rubber mallet.
BE SURE ALL BOLTS ARE REMOVED!

 

[sandalet]

And do not forget to change the rings 16)))

 

[arogers260]

You did the right thing, because to disconnect the fuel line needs a special tool. It is not for everyone.
By the way which run at your Cadillac? My about 220,000 miles, it was a lot of dirt under the valve covers. I think that the problem is due to poor engine oil from the previous owner (it was a 63-year-old woman from Pennsylvania) I am not able to clear, varnish deeply ingrained into the metal.

I'm around 140k, and I didn't have any dirt but at one point my spark plug cavity on the drivers side was filling with oil, so I replaced both valve covers with new which came with gaskets and orings, and did the Pcv upgrade.

 

[jran0823]

You can buy the fuel disconnects at any parts store for around $5-10. It's a whole lot easier, plus you don't have to worry about injector o-rings then.

 

[raeH]

Re: How do you pull off a valve cover?

Awesome people thanks – very helpful – especially the pictures [arogers260] I studied them – I was getting the plenum mixed up with the intake that’s why I said it was off earlier - well here’s where I’m at now – I removed all six bolts that secure the intake – the intake is now movable – but now how do I get the thing out of there - I tried working it out of there for about 15 minutes the closest I got is shown in the second picture – if you look close the right side is basically wedged snug on the right engine block – I yanked it pretty hard just to get it that far – but I didn’t want to try to force it out and cause damage – how do I get this intake out!

 

[arogers260]

Awesome people thanks &#150; very helpful &#150; especially the pictures [arogers260] I studied them &#150; I was getting the plenum mixed up with the intake that&#146;s why I said it was off earlier - well here&#146;s where I&#146;m at now &#150; I removed all six bolts that secure the intake &#150; the intake is now movable &#150; but now how do I get the thing out of there - I tried working it out of there for about 15 minutes the closest I got is shown in the second picture &#150; if you look close the right side is basically wedged snug on the right engine block &#150; I yanked it pretty hard just to get it that far &#150; but I didn&#146;t want to try to force it out and cause damage &#150; how do I get this intake out!

<img src="http://www.cadillacforums.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=102125"/><img src="http://www.cadillacforums.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=102126"/>

There's one more screw in the very back driver side that's hard to see, that's pry why you can't get it off because the intake moves very easily once it's unscrewed.
***nvm I just seen the picture lol, it comes out at an angle which you have to get just right to come out. Do not force it out or try hard just lightly try to get one side out then it's easy from there. Or just pop the one valve cover off then pull it out.

 

[raeH]

Every bolt is definitely off of it - I can move it at least two inches in any direction - just can't get it past the engine blocks

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just saw the second part of your message - I will fiddle with it some more tomorrow night - will keep the tread updated - thanks again

 

[sandalet]

Why are you torturing yourself? Dismantle the inlet!

 

[raeH]

Still working on getting the intake out - I have one more device [newbie language] to take of just before - but it's progressive - in the mean time I managed enough room to tap the driver side valve cover off - cleaned it up and laid in the new gasket to see how it would fit - looks good - exact fit except for two bridges that connect the two sections of the gasket [see pictures 2 & 3] - I figure that maybe since this is an aftermarket part as opposed to a GM part - some other similar vehicles use these bridges - I don't know - the question is should I cut these bridges off with a razor [indicated by the yellow arrows - see pictures 2 & 3] so that they can sink into the valve cover cavity like I'm sure their supposed to?

Also - I have 16 O-rings but only 4 of the old ones are removable - the ones circled in pink [see picture 1] - the other 4 are filled with a permanent plastic shaped like O-rings - Is this okay? - given it doesn't look like I can do anything about it anyway



appreciating all the help

 

[sandalet]

Cut bridges!
Rings are not plastic. They are similar to the plastic due to excessive pressing and heat.