Removal Procedure

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2004 Pontiac Sunfire and 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Disconnect the negative battery cable. Refer to Battery Negative Cable Disconnect/Connect Procedure in Engine Electrical.
Remove the camshaft cover. Refer to Camshaft Cover Replacement .
Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
Remove the engine front cover. Refer to Engine Front Cover Replacement .
Lower the vehicle.
Remove the camshaft cover. Refer to Camshaft Cover Replacement .
IMPORTANT: To rotate the camshaft, use a 24 mm open-end wrench on the camshaft flats. Camshaft should be rotated in a clockwise direction only, facing camshaft sprockets from the passenger side of the vehicle.
Locate the No. 1 piston to approximately 60 degrees before top dead center (diamond shaped hole on intake camshaft sprocket at 12 o'clock position). Remove the spark plugs. This will ease the rotation effort.

Fig 1: Identifying Top Dead Center Indicator
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Remove the timing chain tensioner.

Fig 2: Identifying Timing Chain Tensioner
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Remove the upper timing chain guide.

Fig 3: Exploded View Of Upper Timing Chain Guide
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Use a 24 mm wrench to hold the camshafts from turning.

Fig 4: Using 24 mm Wrench To Align Camshaft
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Remove the exhaust camshaft sprocket bolt and discard.
Remove the exhaust camshaft sprocket.

Fig 5: Identifying Exhaust Camshaft Sprocket
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Remove the timing chain tensioner guide.

Fig 6: View Of Timing Chain Tensioner Guide
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Remove the engine mount. Refer to Engine Mount Bracket Replacement .
Remove the fixed timing chain guide access plug.

Fig 7: View Of Fixed Timing Chain Guide Access Plug
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Remove the fixed timing chain guide.

Fig 8: View Of Fixed Timing Chain Guide
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Remove the intake camshaft sprocket bolt and discard.
Remove the intake camshaft sprocket.

Fig 9: View Of Intake Camshaft Sprocket And Chain
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Remove the timing chain through the top of the cylinder head.
Remove the crankshaft sprocket.

Fig 10: Crankshaft Sprocket View
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Remove the oil nozzle and bolt.

Fig 11: View Of Oil Nozzle & Bolt
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Remove the balance shaft drive chain tensioner.

Fig 12: Identifying Balance Shaft Drive Chain Tensioner

Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Remove the adjustable balance shaft chain guide.

Fig 13: View Of Adjustable Balance Shaft Chain Guide
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Remove the small balance shaft drive chain guide.

Fig 14: Exploded View Of Small Balance Shaft Drive Chain Guide
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Remove the upper balance shaft drive chain guide.

Fig 15: View Of Upper Balance Shaft Drive Chain Guide
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

NOTE: It may ease removal of the balance shaft drive chain to get all of the slack in the chain between the crankshaft and water pump sprockets.
Remove the balance shaft drive chain.

Fig 16: Identifying Upper Balance Shaft Drive Chain/Sprocket
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.