VLOM (valley cover)

[BG1988]

is it possible to retorque the VLOM (valley cover) bolts ? with out taking the engine apart?


i can literally see the VLOM (valley cover) poking out from under(two front bolts are visable) intake manifold..

I heard about the 07,08,09 having loose bolts causing AFM catastrophic failure in 2007 and early 2008 and 2009 years..


mine is a Jan 2008 build date

maybe this should be in the Engine discussion area?

 

[wjburken]

is it possible to retorque the VLOM (valley cover) bolts ? with out taking the engine apart?


i can literally see the VLOM (valley cover) poking out from under(two front bolts are visable) intake manifold..

I heard about the 07,08,09 having loose bolts causing AFM catastrophic failure in 2007 and early 2008 and 2009 years..


mine is a Jan 2008 build date

maybe this should be in the Engine discussion area?

The intake manifold needs to come off, but that should be about it.

 

[89Suburban]

is it possible to retorque the VLOM (valley cover) bolts ? with out taking the engine apart?


i can literally see the VLOM (valley cover) poking out from under(two front bolts are visable) intake manifold..

I heard about the 07,08,09 having loose bolts causing AFM catastrophic failure in 2007 and early 2008 and 2009 years..


mine is a Jan 2008 build date

maybe this should be in the Engine discussion area?

I just went through this ******** on my '07. And keep in mind I have 323K on mine so it is a bit exasperated of a situation. IMO I would absolutely snug them up if you could, but you do have to remove the intake to do it. They come loose, and IMO vibration wears out the gasket surfaces. Then oil starts spewing out the backside. And the gaskets on the VLOM oil ports to the lifter bores also start bleeding pressure off, again IMHO. When I went to replace that VLOM gasket and took the intake off, about 7 out of the 11 bolts holding the cover down were FINGER LOOSE. The other 3 I had to crack open with a socket like they all SHOULD have been.

I also recommend replacing the entire VLOM/solenoid/gasket assembly as a complete part. It's about $220 plus the core charge compared to just $100 for a gasket that is really held in place by ******* RIVETS. And the gasket is non-returnable so I got ******. BUT, what a huge difference with the new assembly. Ran SO much better.

Link to part: (It even comes with the bolts!)


https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p...dYtN0smTKFj1tRCfU-4aAnuXEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds




Also replaced the oil pressure sensor and screen while it was apart. And intake gaskets of course. I also recommend, if you have the time and feel like ******* around with engine coolant during this whole process, to replace the steam port gaskets on the top of the heads. There are 2 in the back under block off caps and 2 on the steam pipe crossover on the front, they take 10mm sockets. (you'll see those in the pics as well. They take a shit too and start weeping coolant.) OR at least snug them up while you are in there. Which was all I ha time for at that point. But I do have those gaskets for another project day.




Link to my posts and pics going through this mess which spans a dozen pages or so, but pic links are here, hope it is enlightening. And I COULD NOT have done it without the support of the good people on this forum:




https://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/thr...nnbs-gmt900-tahoe-yukon-today.44151/page-2242

https://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/thr...nnbs-gmt900-tahoe-yukon-today.44151/page-2236

https://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/thr...nnbs-gmt900-tahoe-yukon-today.44151/page-2237

https://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/thr...nnbs-gmt900-tahoe-yukon-today.44151/page-2240

https://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/thr...nnbs-gmt900-tahoe-yukon-today.44151/page-2235




For my reference for searching later: valley pan gasket VLOM intake

 

[BG1988]

The intake manifold needs to come off, but that should be about it.

i'll check the front bolts to see if they are ok

the vlom is clean
no oil on it

 

[swathdiver]

The new design VLOM works much better than the earlier one and is far more reliable, something to consider. This reminds me of the intake bolts on the 3400 engines from the 1990s to the early 2000s; finger tight from the factory!

 

[BG1988]

BAD news I checked my bolts and they are loose
both front bolts were loose : there goes another 500-700$ FACTORY ERROR = you pay DEALER total scam I'll call up GM see if they will warranty it. they will need to replace the rods I'm sure they wore out unevenly ( and prematurely)

AFM works fine but still..
taking off the intake is above my skill level. also the risk of damaging other crap or fire hence above my skill level

 

[taxman]

The new design VLOM works much better than the earlier one and is far more reliable, something to consider. This reminds me of the intake bolts on the 3400 engines from the 1990s to the early 2000s; finger tight from the factory!

What is the part number for the new design VLOM?

 

[lt1gmc]

Dorman has a replacement Improved design VLOM PN # 917162XD at Rockauto for $167, includes gaskets and bolts. Just used on on our "09 Hybrid, nice quality piece.

 

[taxman]

Thanks!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[swathdiver]

What is the part number for the new design VLOM?

12571609