Valley Cover Removal

[bigreddog]

I have a 2000 GMC Sierra 1500 with 5.3L engine. I am replacing the knock sensors and noticed a lot of oil after I removed the intake manifold. I wanted to remove the valley cover and replace the valley cover gasket. I removed the Engine Coolant Air Bleed Pipe and the knock sensors. I then removed the 10 bolts that hold the valley cover. I am unable to remove the valley cover. What is holding it in and what do I need to do in order to remove the cover so I can replace the gasket.

[MikeNH]

The bolts and knock sensors should be all that is holding it in place to the best of my knowledge. Sometimes gaskets can make removal real hard. Maye try GENTLY prying up front somewhere?

[bigreddog]

It seems like there is something down in the hole where the knock sensors go that is holding it in. Is there a nut or lock washer down there that is holding it? I can raise the valley cover just high enough to get my fingers underneath each side and I can pull with all my force but it will not come out. Seems like there is something else holding it in.

[txab]

The bolts and knock sensors should be all that is holding it in place to the best of my knowledge. Sometimes gaskets can make removal real hard. Maye try GENTLY prying up front somewhere?

 

 

+1

 

There are oil seals for each knock sensor. Perhaps that's what has you hung up.

[Debo511]

Engine Block Valley Cover Removal

 

 

 

 

1. Remove the knock sensor wire harness.

 

 

 

 

 

1. Remove the knock sensors.

 

 

 

 

 

1. Remove the valley cover bolts.

 

 

 

 

2. Remove the valley cover and gasket.

 

 

 

 

3. Discard the valley cover gasket.

 

 

 

 

 

1. Remove the knock sensor oil seals (1) from the cover (2).

 

 

 

© 2012 General Motors. All rights reserved.

[bigreddog]

So do I just pull really hard to remove the knock sensor oil seals, or is there something hodling the knock snsor oil seals in place?

[Debo511]

Probably just stuck , give her a tug. There should not be anything holding the seals in.

[bigreddog]

Does anyone know the sequence and the torque for the valley cover bolts?

[Debo511]

Engine Block Valley Cover Installation

 

 

 

 

Important: All gasket surfaces should be free of oil or other foreign material during assembly.

 

 

 

 

1. Install NEW knock sensor oil seals (1) into the valley cover (2).

 

 

 

 

Lubricate the seal surfaces with clean engine oil.

 

 

 

 

 

1. Install the valley cover and NEW gasket.

 

 

 

Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in Cautions and Notices.

 

2. Install the valley cover bolts.

 

 

 

Tighten

Tighten the valley cover bolts to 25?N·m (18?lb?ft).

 

 

1. Install the knock sensors.

 

 

 

Tighten

Tighten the knock sensors to 20?N·m (15?lb?ft).

 

 

1. Install the knock sensor wire harness.

 

 

 

© 2012 General Motors. All rights reserved.

[Debo511]

Just use and X pattern on the bolts.

[zedbear]

I'm currently replacing my intake, valve cover, and valley cover gaskets. At least 4 of the bolts on the driver side of the valley cover were literally finger tight and there was a lot of sludge and oil all over. I got it all apart and I was wondering how to remove the oil seals for the knock sensors? Damn things almost seem pressed in there. The seals were fine when I removed the valley cover as there was no oil in the knock sensor wells but I suppose they could have been damaged when pulling the cover out and it would suck to have them leak after everything is back together.