[ThisGuy]

I'm replacing a bunch of parts on my 2000 Astro (RWD). When I removed the water pump, I saw a black sort of engine cover type thing. It seems to be leaking oil. The cover says something like "Replace after removal" on it, but in a more long-winded way. Could someone help me identify what this is? I don't have a picture of it, and I have the van sitting at my mom's house. If nobody can answer the question, I'll take a drive and go take a picture of it.

I thought it would be simple to find this by doing a search for diagrams. But it seems like part diagrams aren't as readily available for cars, as they are for motorcycles. Like partzilla.com , for example you could pull up any diagram of just about any motorcycle and figure out what part goes where.. Or is there a place like that for cars, and I just can't find it?

Side question, what is a common spot on the engine where these vans develop oil leaks? I might as well address these areas while I have the thing apart.

Thanks a lot for your help.

 

[Rustbelt_mVan]

That is the timing Cover

 

[ThisGuy]

Woo!!! Thank you!
I was about to post a picture because I found a decent shot of it on someone's YouTube video.

Can I say I love you? Or is that too soon?

 

[sixsix]

Golly ?

 

[ThisGuy]

After looking at some videos and other posts, it seems like this cover shall remain leaking. This thing got complicated real quick

 

[gwd]

I have not removed a timing cover the vans yet.
Are they like the older small block Chevy ones from the 80's that you had to undo the oil pan in order to remove the cover and install properly with out leaks?
Or are the covers on these vans just seal and mate to the front of block and oil pan without dropping the oil pan?

 

[Birdshake]

According to the service manual the oil pan does not need to be removed but the whole cover needs to be replaced with a new one once removed.

 

[sixsix]

I tried this in g00gle:

removing timing cover 4.3 astrosafari.com - Google Search

 

[M_a_t_t]

I thought it would be simple to find this by doing a search for diagrams. But it seems like part diagrams aren't as readily available for cars, as they are for motorcycles. Like partzilla.com , for example you could pull up any diagram of just about any motorcycle and figure out what part goes where.. Or is there a place like that for cars, and I just can't find it?

I have never had good luck finding good diagrams for domestic vehicles. Toyota you can find through dealer websites and older hondas are posted on cmsnl.com . (images posted as examples for those who own toyota or honda cars)

 

[ThisGuy]

...you had to undo the oil pan ...
... without dropping the oil pan?

According to the service manual the oil pan does not need to be removed but the whole cover needs to be replaced with a new one once removed.

That's what deterred me from trying to replace it. I did a lot of searching here; the general consensus around the forum is that the oil pan needs to be removed, and I didn't want to deal with it.
I've actually started the process, though. I did some more looking around, and I've yet to see one video of someone dropping the oil pan to get the job done. This is why I actually started the attempt; I thought maybe folks were talking out of their butt. It seems like they weren't. I removed all the bolts and the bottom part of the cover won't come out without me yanking on it harder. I don't want to break anything, so I just left it there and kept working on something else. I think I should've left it leaking. Now I'm committed to it.

Regrets...

@Birdshake Could you possibly show us a shot of where it says that in the service manual?

I have never had good luck finding good diagrams for domestic vehicles.

I wonder why it's more of an issue for domestic vehicles. Good ol'murica.
I guess I'm spoiled from working on bikes. I've gone deeper on motorcycles than in cars, and every time I've been stumped, I just get on bikebandit or partzilla and start browsing around all the diagrams until I find the right picture. Having everything numbered and labeled with its proper name really helps to begin the search on how to address an issue.

I gotta go start another thread now. More/different issues with this thing...

 

[ehbrown1]

You do not have to remove the pan or replace these covers if you remove them carefully. They are plastic so they recommend replacing once removed and that should explain a lot right there.
When removing them, just tilt the top front first and remove the bottom last and you won't have any problems. They use shouldered bolts so you should not be able to overtighten them. Don't overtighten the crank sensor screw, if equipped. They are threaded brass inserts and don't like peole cranking up on them.

 

[ThisGuy]

So to follow up on the diagram discussion, I found this site that seems to have a lot of, if not all of, the diagrams for the Astro. Sometimes you'll get a diagram for another car in your searches, but that seems like to be because the van shares a part with that car.
Here's the site: Search 2000 Chevrolet ASTRO Parts

You can refine by category on the top/middle of the page.

 

[Mmusicman]

I changed many front covers on engines and never once pulled (or even losened) the oil pan.
These of course, were Gen 1 style small-block Chevy's (back in the day)
We didn't have manuals or Google.. we just did it.
There was a trick.. a tiny tab needed to be trimmed.. always worked for me.
Use proper silicone in corner.. done.

I also now run a performance "gear-drive" in my 350.. so replacing a worn chain is a thing of the past.

From what others are saying here... it sounds like with proper care, it can also be done.

 

[gwd]

Mmusicman, Do you still have a part number or brand that would fit in the V6 blocks for the third generation motors?
Are they the same as in V8 and are there any other parts need?
The tensioner then can be deleted if there is one I guess unless it does something else beside keep the chain tight.

 

[Mmusicman]

I don't have part numbers for V6 or even know if it exists.
Try Summit Racing

 

[Bikley]

Something not mentioned here is the harmonic balancer. Use a proper tool to reinstall it. If you try to pound it back on with a hammer you can do all kinds of damage to the crank and other internal parts.

 

[Mmusicman]

Something not mentioned here is the harmonic balancer. Use a proper tool to reinstall it. If you try to pound it back on with a hammer you can do all kinds of damage to the crank and other internal parts.

Not to mention pounding them back on can deform the surface face of the balancer.. causing pulley to possibly develop slight wobble on less than perfect surface. In my younger days.. I used to pound them on.. lol

 

[gwd]

Mmusicman I checked Summit racing but the do not offer a gear version for our van.
They do offer a double chain option.
Just at bottom of their specification sheet it says " Will not fit factory roller cam applications ". So this means it is not bolt on to stock motor?
Any advice is apprciated.

 

[Mmusicman]

I don't do V6 performance mods... no advice, sorry

 

[Bikley]

If you have an 86-92 4.3 with roller cam and no balance shaft you could use this gear set. The thing is, unless your building a high performance engine, all a timing gear set does is make noise.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-g6705-q?seid=srese1&gclid=CjwKCAjwiOCgBhAgEiwAjv5whJYrDSlegJ-yXTcUgWp1jLNDoefR8kJXRfYIHpDvCvAim1WGjw31fBoC2CoQAvD_BwE