Cylinder Head Assembly: Service and Repair

CAUTION: To avoid damaging the cylinder head, wait until the coolant temperature drops below 38°F(100°F) before loosening the retaining bolts.

NOTE: Inspect the timing belt for wear before removing the cylinder head. Remove the oxygen sensor prior to disconnecting the exhaust pipe A and the exhaust manifold. Do not use the impact wrench or hammer when the oxygen sensor is not to be removed.

1. Turn the flywheel so that the No. 1 cylinder is at top dead center.
2. Raise the vehicle and drain the cooling system. Make sure jack and safety stands are placed properly and hoist brackets are attached to correct positions on the engine. Apply parking brake and block rear wheels so the car will not roll off stands and fall while you are working under it.
3. Remove the exhaust manifold shroud, EGR pipe and oxygen sensors (2.0L models).
4. Unbolt the exhaust pipe A from the exhaust manifold and disconnect the exhaust pipe bracket from the engine block.
5. Unbolt the air cleaner mounting bracket from the engine block.
6. Remove the two lower intake manifold mounting nuts.
7. Lower the vehicle and disconnect the negative terminal from the battery.
8. Disconnect the spark plug wires from the spark plugs and unbolt the distributor from the cylinder head. Don't disconnect any wires from the distributor.
9. Remove the valve cover.
10. Remove the air suction valve, the air suction silencer, and the hose from the silencer to the air cleaner.
11. Remove the power steering pump from the cylinder head, but don't disconnect the hoses from the pump.
12. Remove the exhaust manifold from the cylinder head.
13. Remove the three upper intake manifold mounting nuts and push the manifold away from the cylinder head.
14. Remove the thermostat housing from the cylinder head as a unit without disconnecting any of the hoses from the housing.
15. Remove the heater hose from the cylinder head.
16. Remove the timing belt upper cover.
17. Loosen the timing belt adjusting bolt, then slide the belt off of the camshaft pulley.






18. Remove the cylinder head bolts, then remove the cylinder head.
19. Install the cylinder head in the reverse order of removal.

Head (FUEL INJECTED):

Head Bolt Torque Sequence (FUEL INJECTED):

Tighten cylinder head bolts in two steps:

1st step: Tighten all bolts, in sequence, to 30 N.m (22 lb-ft.)
2nd step: Tighten all bolts to 68 N.m (49 lb-ft).