Oil leak issue?

Tiny
MECHANICALGENIUS
  • MEMBER
  • 2002 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
  • 2.4L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 260,000 MILES
Engine is LD9 (VIN 8th digit "T"). I have cleaned and re-installed the air/oil separator and cleared PCV hose blockage. It now looks like the valve cover gasket is also leaking badly. Once warmed up, it can lose a quart of oil in 25 miles. I understand this is fairly common. I have new gasket, and a new timing chain set with guides. I have read that one has to remove some of the overhead cam assembly and timing chain to replace this gasket.

What I am looking for is a link to a step-by-step guide for doing this task. I have the means and skill to do this, I just want to know the correct procedure and I am having difficulty finding this. Everything I find is for 2.2L I hear it's kind of a long process and I don't want to do anything I don't have to.

Don't let the mileage fool you. I bought this Z24 at auction and, from what I can tell, it has maybe 40,000 since the engine was rebuilt. It seems to me that the rebuilder didn't replace some of the peripherals, like PCV hoses, radiator hoses - that kind of stuff. (No sludge in engine, just in the hoses.)

This site is the best and not run by a bunch of greedy people like so many others. Great Job!
Thursday, March 20th, 2025 AT 11:28 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 50,251 POSTS
Thank you, we like to help and give back. It looks like the timing chain does need to be removed to do the valve cover gaskets in the 2.4-liter engine. Unfortunately, GM does not give the timing chain marks so you will need to mark them yourself before disassembly, (chain and sprockets). Here is an exploded view of the job that needs to be done along with the instructions for the timing chain removal. Be sure to clean the gasket surfaces thoroughly before the reassembly. Check out the images (below).
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Friday, March 21st, 2025 AT 12:10 PM
Tiny
MECHANICALGENIUS
  • MEMBER
  • 23 POSTS
Exactly what I was looking for. I'll let you know how it turns out. Thanks a bunch.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, March 22nd, 2025 AT 4:42 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 50,251 POSTS
You are welcome, happy wrenching!
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, March 22nd, 2025 AT 11:09 AM

Please login or register to post a reply.