How do you replace valve cover gasket on a 2003 Chevy Trailblazer?

Answer 1

First buy a the maintenance manual from Haynes to get an idea of the bolt locations and other issues. The bolts on the valve cover are covered by lots of things, so be prepared to take apart half the engine. Remove the air intake, throttle body, and resonator. Also remove the bolts holding the air conditioning line clamps. There are 2 of these bolts and one nut on the passenger side of the engine. Check to see if you can move the ac line easily out of the way. If not the ac system will need to be discharged. Remove the drive belt and alternator. Also remove the engine hoist clamp located next to the alternator. This is necessary to remove the air intake manifold which is covering four of the valve cover bolts. There are 6 bolts holding the air intake manifold to th engine block, and about three of them are very difficult to access. You will need a flex shaft, 1/4 drive sockets and lots of patience. Once all the intake manifold bolts are fully removed from the engine block the intake manifold can be moved out of the way. It is not necessary to fully remove the air intake manifold. It can be moved out of the way enough to access the valve cover bolts. Next move the coils from the valve cover, and relocate the wire harnesses. The valve cover can now be removed.