Repair operations possible with the engine in the vehicle

Many major repair operations can be accomplished without removing the engine from the vehicle.

Clean the engine compartment and the exterior of the engine with some type of pressure washer before any work is done. A clean engine will make the job easier and will help keep dirt out of the internal areas of the engine.

Depending on the components involved, it may be a good idea to remove the hood to improve access to the engine as repairs are performed (refer to Chapter Body if necessary).

If oil or coolant leaks develop, indicating a need for gasket or seal replacement, the repairs can generally be made with the engine in the vehicle. The cylinder head gasket, intake and exhaust manifold gaskets, gear cover gaskets and the crankshaft oil seals are all accessible with the engine in place. The oil pan gasket, however, does require discon­necting the engine mounts and raising the engine.

Exterior engine components, such as the water pump, the starter motor, the alternator, turbocharger and the fuel injection compo­nents, as well as the intake manifold cover and exhaust manifold, can be removed for repair with the engine in place.

Since the cylinder head can be removed without pulling the engine, valve component servicing can also be accomplished with the engine in the vehicle.

Replacement of, repairs to or inspection of the gear case components and the oil pump are all possible with the engine in place.