Removal Procedure

Special Tools

• EN 38188  Cylinder Head Broken Bolt Extractor Kit - or equivalent aftermarket tool
• EN 45059  Angle Meter

For equivalent regional tools, refer to Special Tools .

1. Drain the coolant system. Cooling System Draining and Filling (Vacuum and Fill)Cooling System Draining and Filling (Static)
2. Drain the engine oil. Engine Oil and Oil Filter Replacement 
3. Remove the intake manifold. Intake Manifold Replacement 
4. Install the fuel pump. Fuel Pump Replacement
5. Remove the exhaust manifold. Exhaust Manifold Replacement
6. Remove the exhaust valve rocker arm. Exhaust Valve Rocker Arm Replacement 
7. Remove the intake valve rocker arm. Intake Valve Rocker Arm Replacement 
8. Fig 1: Cylinder Head Bolts With Loosening Sequence

   Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS COMPANY

   Remove the cylinder head to the block bolts in sequence.

   Discard the bolts.

9. Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS COMPANY

   CAUTION:

   In order to prevent damage to the valves and injectors during cylinder head removal, set the cylinder head on blocks.

   Remove the cylinder head (2).

10. Remove the cylinder head gasket (3).
11. Clean all of the gasket surfaces.
12. Use the following procedures when cleaning the cylinder head and cylinder block surfaces:
    • Use a gasket scraper to clean the cylinder head and cylinder block gasket surfaces. Do not scratch or gouge any surface.
      NOTE:

      Do not use any other method or technique to clean these gasket surfaces.

    NOTE:

    Be careful not to gouge or scratch the gasket surfaces. Do not gouge or scrape the combustion chamber surfaces. The feel of the gasket surface is important, not the appearance. There will be indentations from the gasket left in the cylinder head after all of the gasket material is removed. These small indentations will be filled in by the new gasket.
NOTE:

Do not use a tap to clean the cylinder head bolt holes.

13. Clean the old sealer/lube and dirt from the bolt holes.
14. Clean the bolt holes with a nylon bristle brush.
WARNING:

Wear safety glasses to avoid injury when using compressed air or any cleaning solvent. Bodily injury may occur if fumes are inhaled or if skin is exposed to chemicals.

15. When cleaning the cylinder head bolt holes use a suitable commercial spray liquid solvent and compressed air from an extended-tip blow gun to reach the bottom of the holes.
16. Remove any broken long cylinder head bolts using the EN 38188  kit.
17. For cylinder head disassemble. Cylinder Head Disassemble 
18. For cylinder head cleaning and inspection. Cylinder Head Cleaning and Inspection