Cleanliness and Care

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2003 Pontiac Montana, 2003 Oldsmobile Silhouette, and 2003 Chevrolet Venture. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

An automobile engine is a combination of many of the following surfaces

Machined
Honed
Polished
Lapped

The tolerance of these surfaces are measured in the ten-thousandths of an inch. When you service any internal engine part, cleanliness and care are important. Apply a liberal coating of engine oil to the friction areas during assembly in order to protect and lubricate the surfaces on initial operation. Throughout this section, practice proper cleaning and protection procedures to the machined surfaces and to the friction areas.

NOTE: Engine damage may result if an abrasive paper, pad, or motorized wire brush is used to clean any engine gasket surfaces.

Whenever you remove the valve train components, keep the components in order. Follow this procedure in order to install the components in the same locations and with the same mating surfaces as when removed.

CAUTION: Refer to Battery Disconnect Caution on page in Caution and Notices.

Disconnect the negative battery cables before you perform any major work on the engine. For more information on the disconnection of the battery, refer to Battery.