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Replacing front timing cover gasket?

Tiny
METAPINK
  • MEMBER
  • 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU
  • 3.5L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 160,000 MILES
I'm attempting to replace the gaskets on the engine. I've done the head gasket and decided to do the front cover as well as I think I see leaks. I am having a hard time removing harmonic balancer. I did not drop the engine and tried using a gear puller to remove it. It won't budge. Wd40 applied and tried gently hammering on sides. It's difficult to tell whether I'm just not doing it right or it's not the right thing to do at all. From reading on the internet, it should come off fairly easily, so I feel that because there's not enough clearance for a gear puller to be dead center it's not applying pressure evenly.

I think that I need to take it off to replace the cover because there are a couple of small bolts I can see behind the pulley. I took all the other bolts I could find and the cover is moving very slightly.
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Sunday, February 19th, 2023 AT 3:28 PM

13 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,896 POSTS
Hi,

You are exactly correct. If you are not centered, it causes the pulley to come off at an angle. In this case, it prevents it from moving.

I attached the directions below specific to this vehicle. Take a look at them and let me know if they help or if you have other questions.

Take care,

joe

See pics below.
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Sunday, February 19th, 2023 AT 11:26 PM
Tiny
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Thank you for the answer, that's actually really helpful.

I don't have to hoist the engine while lowering the frame?
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Monday, February 20th, 2023 AT 12:57 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,896 POSTS
Hi,

According to the manual, you shouldn't have to lower the engine. It is important that you keep the puller centered. Once you have pressure on the puller, don't be afraid to tap the puller where you have the socket to remove it. When it is under pressure, a lot of times, tapping it with a light hammer will jar it loose.

Let me know if you get it.

Joe
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Monday, February 20th, 2023 AT 3:40 PM
Tiny
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Joe, would you be able point me to any schematics or links that show or talk more about lowering the frame as described up to step 7 of removal procedure?
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Saturday, February 25th, 2023 AT 8:17 PM
Tiny
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  • MECHANIC
  • 109,896 POSTS
Hi,

You should be able to loosen the bolts of the subframe (right side) enough to gain access. Try this. Place a floor jack under the right side of the subframe. Loosen the bolts on the left but don't remove them. Only take them out a couple of turns.

Loosen the right side. Remember, we are using the floor jack to hold the frame stationery on the right. Loosen the bolts until they are nearly out but still threaded and slowly lower the jack to see if it gives the clearance you need.

Let me know.

Joe

See pic below.
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Saturday, February 25th, 2023 AT 10:46 PM
Tiny
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After lowering the subframe, assembling the gear jaw puller on the pulley, making sure it's oiled and all bolts are tightened, and things are even I turned it hard enough for the pulley to give and took it off.

Took long enough to run out of options and apply more force to it.

Thanks for the help.

Do you know if there's anything that needs to be applied to bolt threads on the front cover? It looked like some of them had white hardened residue. Is it high temperature seal or water jacket seal?
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Monday, March 27th, 2023 AT 11:33 PM
Tiny
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Hi,

I know the keyway on the harmonic balancer needs a sealant. However, I don't believe the cover does. On the other hand, if you have it for the keyway, it won't hurt to use it on the cover bolts.

If you have a chance, let me know how things turn out.

Take care and thanks for the update.

Joe
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Tuesday, March 28th, 2023 AT 8:21 PM
Tiny
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Today I put everything together and filled coolant. It leaked from the water pump and potentially somewhere else. After looking into the water pump, I'll try again and see if there's a leak from one of the bolts. Doesn't seem like the cover gasket is the problem.
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Sunday, April 9th, 2023 AT 7:38 PM
Tiny
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Hi,

That isn't good. In your first pic, it appears that coolant may be coming from behind the water pump pulley. Are you sure it isn't leaking from the weep hole on the pump?

Take a look at this link:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/symptoms-of-a-bad-water-pump

Let me know.

Joe
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Monday, April 10th, 2023 AT 8:04 PM
Tiny
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Not sure exactly where the coolant was coming from, but I ordered a new water pump. Thanks for the link!
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Monday, April 10th, 2023 AT 9:40 PM
Tiny
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  • MECHANIC
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Hi,

Are you able to locate the weep hole on the pump as seen in the above link? Also, I don't know if you need them, but I attached the very basic directions from my manual for replacing the pump.

If you have a chance, could you let me know how things turn out for you? I'm interested in knowing if this takes care of the issue.

Take care,

Joe

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Tuesday, April 11th, 2023 AT 7:04 PM
Tiny
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I replaced the water pump. I think that solved that leak, but there might be some loose houses still somewhere as I see some coolant drops in the subframe and exhaust pipe on passenger side. I used Teflon tape on hose fittings where I saw leaks, but I'm not sure if that's the way to go.

Another problem is the engine shakes when I accelerate and there are occasional pops, smell of fuel. Kind of sounds like hissing noise near throttle body, and I can feel air with my hand in that area. Need to figure out how to make all the fittings air/fluid tight. I didn't put anything on hoses and plastic pipes when I put it back together.
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Thursday, April 13th, 2023 AT 8:41 PM
Tiny
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Hi,

If you feel air when the engine is running, it is coming from somewhere other than the engine itself. When running, it creates a vacuum and draws air in. I guess if you were close enough to a leak, you may feel a slight bit of air.

Now, for the coolant leak, check things like the heater hoses, any hoses that were reinstalled when the pump was replaced, and so on. Here is a link you may find helpful.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-is-leaking-coolant

Let me know.

Joe
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Friday, April 14th, 2023 AT 6:42 PM

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