It's a 1999, I need to replace just the solenoid, not the actuator. Before removing the cam cover does the engine need to be in a particular position and cams locked, or is locking them only needed if I'm digging in deeper than the solenoid?

 

You dont need to lock the cams but i would probably put the pin on the balancer just out of caution. I wouldnt want any accidental assembly movement while its apart.

 

+1.

 

Just to be clear you will need cam hold down in place before removing the cover. You may know this.

Edit: I guess it could be done without as long as put the engine at TDC for that bank.

 

I didn't know and this is why I came here to ask, I guess my "lock the cams" isn't the same as asking if I need to do something with the cams. I think I've seen something about the cam hold down being a metal plate and screws that go into the ends of the cams, then the metal plate is bolted to the head where the cam locking tool would be bolted.(?)

When you say "TDC" for that bank, which of the three cylinders needs to be at TDC? It's bank 2 that I'm working on.

 

Yes I would always have this in place when removing the cam cover. TDC cylinder 4 for bank 2


As the cams turn at 1/2 of the speed of the crank there is no way to tell from the marks on the puppy whether you are at TDC for 1 or 4 without looking at the end of a cam. The standard way is to look. At the drive end of the 1-3 exhaust cam. The groove should be toward the outside of the engine for 1 to be at TDC with the pulley set for TDC. If you are familiar with the marks/Grooves on the end of the intake cam, (this is for a 3.4 engine) the grooves should be straight up and down, with the narrow side toward the outside of the engine.

 

Here is the mk1cam lock lool i used. It would be a good idea to lock but not 100% needed if u r careful in just swaping the seliniod.

 

From memory, only one cam has a slot so the holding tool will only hold down one cam. I'm pretty sure there's no risk of the cams rotating from removing the cover, I think the problem is that they'll be pushed away from the head by the valve springs and possibly damage something.

 

If both cams on bank 2 have a slot I'm set because I have the locking tool from when I did the IMS.

 

yes this is why I wouldn’t take a cam cover off without the tool I posted.

 

Thank you very much. I feel confident now that this is the answer and will make the tool when I'm ready to tackle the solenoid replacement.