Cylinder Head Cover Removal and Installation

REMOVAL
PROCEDURE

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.

If the vehicle is equipped with an anti-theft audio system, make sure you have the correct code to reactivate the audio system before disconnecting the battery!
2. After marking them, disconnect the spark plug wires from the spark plugs (refer to Maintenance and Adjustments Chapter).
3. Mark and disconnect all hoses and wires that interfere with cylinder head removal.

4. Remove the PCV valve and disconnect the breather hose from the cylinder head cover.

5. Thoroughly wipe the cover to prevent debris from entering the cylinder head/valve train assembly.
6. Remove the cylinder head cover bolt that serves as the ground strap attachment (timing belt side).

7. Unscrew the cylinder head cover bolts and remove them together with the sealing washers.

8. Carefully remove the cover together with the gasket. If the gasket is stuck to the mating surface of the head, tap the cover with a soft-faced hammer to break the sealant layer. Never attempt to separate the cover by prying it with a lever inserted between the mating surfaces.

INSTALLATION
PROCEDURE

1. Remove the old gasket from the seating groove in the cylinder head cover, then thoroughly clean the mating surfaces of the cylinder head and its cover. After scraping off traces of old sealant and gasket fragments, wipe the surfaces with a rag moistened with acetone.

An undamaged one-piece sealing gasket can in principle be reused.
2. Place the new rubber gasket into its seating groove on the cylinder head cover flange. Install the molded gasket by pressing it into the groove running around the perimeter of the cover. Apply a small amount of RTV sealant to the corners where the cylinder head cover mating surface meets the front and rear camshaft bearing caps. Wait about five minutes for the sealant to begin to cure.

Make sure the top layer of sealant has slightly set (wait about 10 minutes, but no longer), only then proceed with installing the cover (in high humidity, curing of the sealant may begin with a slight delay).
3. Install the cover, place the sealing washers, install the mounting bolts and tighten them to the specified torque.
4. On models with VTEC, before installing the cylinder head cover, check the condition of the spark plug sealing washers.
5. Install the remaining components in the reverse order of removal.