LIM gasket change walkthrough - Page 4

gectek · 02-10-2007, 11:23 AM

no no no, it doesnt just turn out. there is a plastic tab that sticks out from the side of the cylinder, what i did was i accidentally twisted that one off, the new revised one from gm has a metal shaft that goes there so it wont twist off, but the plug should twist about a quarter turn, then the tab kinda pushes it out of the hole a little, but then you need to get a flat screwdriver behind it and pry it out, thats how it goes

02-10-2007, 11:35 AM

lmao nevermind! i just pulled it out with pliers and got blasted with coolant...haha thnx now to continue working

gectek · 02-10-2007, 11:37 AM

to help in that and relieve the press in some of the syst. take off the fill tank cap and open the bleeder screw on top of the water pump, it should take a 5,6,or 7 mm 6 point socket, make sure you use a 6 point or you will round it off, and that sucks getting it out

02-10-2007, 12:25 PM

k well the whole nonsense with coolant is solved.

One thing is i couldnt find a torque wrench at either pepboys or autozone...wtf!

Is it absolutely necessary or can i just make sure I dont over or under torque the bolts

2K2GAGT1BQE · 02-10-2007, 12:47 PM

How are you going to make sure you don't over/under torque them without a torque wrench? Ft lbs MAYBE, but not inch lbs... would be really tough to do that I think.

I got my torque wrenches from Harbor Freight, $29 for the ft lb, and $19 for the in lb.

02-10-2007, 12:59 PM

i dunno i never had to torque to specs before. im used to loosen bolt, tighten bolt, DONE.

heh...well i dont need the torque wrench till im reassembling anyways so I guess ill have to try and get it sometime before I finish.

The LIM gasket replacement now begins! wish me luck

2K2GAGT1BQE · 02-10-2007, 01:58 PM

torque specs for an engine should be followed though, or you could have bigger problems later. Good luck, I did mine last weekend!

02-10-2007, 03:35 PM

UGH...already two bolts pissing me off. The rear bolts holding on the coil pack are giving me trouble. I cant find a deep enough socket to get those off, this sucks...i only have standard sockets at hand. im taking a break until i can find some.

ihatemygrandamg · 02-10-2007, 03:48 PM

Your in for alot more than just that. When getting the lim off, swivel sockets really help!

Dave Carney · 02-10-2007, 04:26 PM

....yes indeed....i think he should consider taking it some where. It takes a fair selection of tools, no deep sockets, no torque wrench, no way.

02-10-2007, 04:42 PM

Hmm.. well screw you guys I got it off. The UIM is off and im about to remove the nuts for the fuel pressure regulator.

and just because i dont have deep sockets in front of me doesnt mean take it to someone...its called going to the store and buying them?

thnx for the encouragement

02-10-2007, 06:07 PM

IM up to removing the front valve cover...but my back is killing me so im stopping until tomarrow. this isnt that bad.

Just taking your time with the directions and taking a break in between its 100x better then spending $800

angrysk8r · 02-10-2007, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wushdishmeen

this isnt that bad.

exactly, the walkthrough may look long and complicated but once you start getting your hands dirty it isn't that bad at all.

gectek · 02-10-2007, 11:29 PM

yah i would rather use a shorty wrench than the swivel sockets, they like to round stuff off sometimes. a short 10mm will work fine, and also why did you think you could work on a newer GM without metric tools?...

02-11-2007, 12:51 AM

I was wrong i had deep sockets.

I did not think i could work on a gm vehicle without metric tools? A torque wrench was something I wasnt aware id need at first. Plus both auto stores i went to around here have none.

02-11-2007, 01:19 PM

The old LIM gasket is off!!!

I found that the bolts holding the LIM on were all so loose! Why is that? Does this mean the bolts or bad or that they just need threadlock? The threads on them look fine.

what should I do before reinstalling everything?

ihatemygrandamg · 02-11-2007, 02:27 PM

I LOVE my ratcheting wrenches. So much easier that using regualr wrenches and fit where sockets cant.

Use threadlocker on all of your bolts and make sure you torque them right

2K2GAGT1BQE · 02-11-2007, 02:36 PM

make sure your mating surfaces are CLEAN!!!!

02-11-2007, 05:53 PM

okkkk i got a torque wrench that does both inch/lbs and lbs/inch and some other metric system. gotta figure out how to work this thing

.

Eh another thing, when I was doing the step to "relieve the fuel system pressure" i pushed that pin in and gas was spraying out along with the air...i figured u just press it a little to get air out and thats it but im guessing you had to let it all out??? cuz when I took out the fuel rail with the injectors a little fuel came out.

This is also a concern cuz i have this phobia with anything flammable. Will this fuel dry off on its own or should i somehow try to clean it all. Because im afraid of like starting the car when its done and the heat igniting it or something,

ll.

i dunno. any info guys?

BHermis · 02-11-2007, 06:29 PM

I love hearing from someone working along with me. I just replaced LIM and Valve cover gaskets and still working. I'm about to go to day three with about 5 hours a day. Looks like a 12 hr job for 2 wrenchers. Of course this is my first time to ever work on a car and I have add my fair share of mess ups. When i have the time i'm going to write a long post to give some warnings to newbees. LIKE DONT OVERTIGHTEN YOUR VALVE COVER BOLTS!!!! (cause they break...) yah and then you have to find a way to get the broken peice out and then cut the bolt in half cause its a captured/trapped bolt. But besides that before i put everything on I have one more question. I used a TON of black silicon cause i wanted to make sure that bad boy sealed. Is this OK? Should i be concerned? I was more worried about leaking than looking bad. That is the only part that scares me. More info to come when i finish. Oh yah and I got some gas in the face too when i pressed that little valve release... It won't kill you, it will just evaporate away.

02-10-2007, 11:23 AM	#61
gectek I hate nose hair AKA: John Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Lubbock, TX Posts: 2,051 Vehicle: 2002 Grand Am GT sc/t	no no no, it doesnt just turn out. there is a plastic tab that sticks out from the side of the cylinder, what i did was i accidentally twisted that one off, the new revised one from gm has a metal shaft that goes there so it wont twist off, but the plug should twist about a quarter turn, then the tab kinda pushes it out of the hole a little, but then you need to get a flat screwdriver behind it and pry it out, thats how it goes __________________ If you unscrew ur belly button, will ur butt fall off? Procrastinators UNITE!!!.....tomorrow

02-10-2007, 11:37 AM	#63
gectek I hate nose hair AKA: John Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Lubbock, TX Posts: 2,051 Vehicle: 2002 Grand Am GT sc/t	to help in that and relieve the press in some of the syst. take off the fill tank cap and open the bleeder screw on top of the water pump, it should take a 5,6,or 7 mm 6 point socket, make sure you use a 6 point or you will round it off, and that sucks getting it out __________________ If you unscrew ur belly button, will ur butt fall off? Procrastinators UNITE!!!.....tomorrow

02-10-2007, 03:48 PM	#69
ihatemygrandamg I hate cars AKA: Mike Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Joppa, MD Age: 32 Posts: 569 Vehicle: 1999 Grand Am Gt coupe	Your in for alot more than just that. When getting the lim off, swivel sockets really help! __________________ Bye bye grand am

02-10-2007, 11:29 PM	#74
gectek I hate nose hair AKA: John Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Lubbock, TX Posts: 2,051 Vehicle: 2002 Grand Am GT sc/t	yah i would rather use a shorty wrench than the swivel sockets, they like to round stuff off sometimes. a short 10mm will work fine, and also why did you think you could work on a newer GM without metric tools?... __________________ If you unscrew ur belly button, will ur butt fall off? Procrastinators UNITE!!!.....tomorrow

02-11-2007, 02:27 PM	#77
ihatemygrandamg I hate cars AKA: Mike Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Joppa, MD Age: 32 Posts: 569 Vehicle: 1999 Grand Am Gt coupe	I LOVE my ratcheting wrenches. So much easier that using regualr wrenches and fit where sockets cant. Use threadlocker on all of your bolts and make sure you torque them right __________________ Bye bye grand am

02-10-2007, 11:35 AM	#62
wushdishmeen Guest Posts: n/a	lmao nevermind! i just pulled it out with pliers and got blasted with coolant...haha thnx now to continue working

02-10-2007, 12:25 PM	#64
wushdishmeen Guest Posts: n/a	k well the whole nonsense with coolant is solved. One thing is i couldnt find a torque wrench at either pepboys or autozone...wtf! Is it absolutely necessary or can i just make sure I dont over or under torque the bolts

02-10-2007, 12:47 PM	#65
2K2GAGT1BQE Not a Newb AKA: Quinton Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: OKC, OK Age: 45 Posts: 98 Vehicle: 02 Grand Am GT1 Coupe	How are you going to make sure you don't over/under torque them without a torque wrench? Ft lbs MAYBE, but not inch lbs... would be really tough to do that I think. I got my torque wrenches from Harbor Freight, $29 for the ft lb, and $19 for the in lb.

02-10-2007, 12:59 PM	#66
wushdishmeen Guest Posts: n/a	i dunno i never had to torque to specs before. im used to loosen bolt, tighten bolt, DONE. heh...well i dont need the torque wrench till im reassembling anyways so I guess ill have to try and get it sometime before I finish. The LIM gasket replacement now begins! wish me luck

02-10-2007, 01:58 PM	#67
2K2GAGT1BQE Not a Newb AKA: Quinton Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: OKC, OK Age: 45 Posts: 98 Vehicle: 02 Grand Am GT1 Coupe	torque specs for an engine should be followed though, or you could have bigger problems later. Good luck, I did mine last weekend!

02-10-2007, 03:35 PM	#68
wushdishmeen Guest Posts: n/a	UGH...already two bolts pissing me off. The rear bolts holding on the coil pack are giving me trouble. I cant find a deep enough socket to get those off, this sucks...i only have standard sockets at hand. im taking a break until i can find some.

02-10-2007, 04:26 PM	#70
Dave Carney GAGT - Member AKA: Dave Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Derby, KS Posts: 41 Vehicle: 2002 Grand Am SE Coupe	....yes indeed....i think he should consider taking it some where. It takes a fair selection of tools, no deep sockets, no torque wrench, no way.

02-10-2007, 04:42 PM	#71
wushdishmeen Guest Posts: n/a	Hmm.. well screw you guys I got it off. The UIM is off and im about to remove the nuts for the fuel pressure regulator. and just because i dont have deep sockets in front of me doesnt mean take it to someone...its called going to the store and buying them? thnx for the encouragement

02-10-2007, 06:07 PM	#72
wushdishmeen Guest Posts: n/a	IM up to removing the front valve cover...but my back is killing me so im stopping until tomarrow. this isnt that bad. Just taking your time with the directions and taking a break in between its 100x better then spending $800

02-11-2007, 12:51 AM	#75
wushdishmeen Guest Posts: n/a	I was wrong i had deep sockets. I did not think i could work on a gm vehicle without metric tools? A torque wrench was something I wasnt aware id need at first. Plus both auto stores i went to around here have none.

02-11-2007, 01:19 PM	#76
wushdishmeen Guest Posts: n/a	The old LIM gasket is off!!! I found that the bolts holding the LIM on were all so loose! Why is that? Does this mean the bolts or bad or that they just need threadlock? The threads on them look fine. what should I do before reinstalling everything?

02-11-2007, 02:36 PM	#78
2K2GAGT1BQE Not a Newb AKA: Quinton Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: OKC, OK Age: 45 Posts: 98 Vehicle: 02 Grand Am GT1 Coupe	make sure your mating surfaces are CLEAN!!!!

02-11-2007, 05:53 PM	#79
wushdishmeen Guest Posts: n/a	okkkk i got a torque wrench that does both inch/lbs and lbs/inch and some other metric system. gotta figure out how to work this thing . Eh another thing, when I was doing the step to "relieve the fuel system pressure" i pushed that pin in and gas was spraying out along with the air...i figured u just press it a little to get air out and thats it but im guessing you had to let it all out??? cuz when I took out the fuel rail with the injectors a little fuel came out. This is also a concern cuz i have this phobia with anything flammable. Will this fuel dry off on its own or should i somehow try to clean it all. Because im afraid of like starting the car when its done and the heat igniting it or something, ll. i dunno. any info guys?

02-11-2007, 06:29 PM	#80
BHermis GAGT - Newbie AKA: Brian Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Lubbock, TX Posts: 29 Vehicle: 2000 Grand Am GT Coupe	Good times I love hearing from someone working along with me. I just replaced LIM and Valve cover gaskets and still working. I'm about to go to day three with about 5 hours a day. Looks like a 12 hr job for 2 wrenchers. Of course this is my first time to ever work on a car and I have add my fair share of mess ups. When i have the time i'm going to write a long post to give some warnings to newbees. LIKE DONT OVERTIGHTEN YOUR VALVE COVER BOLTS!!!! (cause they break...) yah and then you have to find a way to get the broken peice out and then cut the bolt in half cause its a captured/trapped bolt. But besides that before i put everything on I have one more question. I used a TON of black silicon cause i wanted to make sure that bad boy sealed. Is this OK? Should i be concerned? I was more worried about leaking than looking bad. That is the only part that scares me. More info to come when i finish. Oh yah and I got some gas in the face too when i pressed that little valve release... It won't kill you, it will just evaporate away.