LIM Gasket In-Process...have questions

[chisox.fan]

So I planned on starting this project this weekend but on Tuesday night...I noticed my reservoir was completely empty and I had coolant dripping on the ground. When I started the car up...it definitely ran out faster. It was coming from the front of the engine at the LIM gasket region. So I started this project last night.

I have a couple questions:

*Do I need to replace both the upper and lower o-rings on the injectors? I didn't remove the injectors from the fuel rail and I'm assuming one of the o-rings is in there. Can I just replace the ones that are closest to the spray end? AND, is that the "fatter" o-rings or the "skinny" o-rings on that end? Hard to tell as they are pretty smashed. Can I use vasoline to lubricate the o-rings? (couldn't find silicone grease) Also, what can I clean the soot off the injectors with?

*I had to remove to heater hoses that go into the tensioner casting. Problem was I couldn't get those clamps off the hoses so I removed the single bolt and popped the double-set o-ring end out of the tensioner casting. Anyone know the part #'s of those 4 o-rings? (2 lines)

*How in the world do you prevent dirt, grime, etc... from getting into the heads when cleaning the surface of the heads? Is holding a shop vac while scraping enough? Can I use brake clean sprayed in a rag to clean the gasket surfaces or is there a better recommendation?

[yonkerse]

To answer your questions:

You don't need to change the Injector O-rings but I would suggest it. I purchased the "Complete UIM Kit" from www.ineedparts.com and it had everything I needed. The skinnier O-ring goes on the bottom. I tried the fatter one here and couldn't get the injectors to seat completely. You can lube the O-rings. I used grease or silicone to help them seat and seal.

Not really sure of the PN's your looking for. I just messed with the clamps until I finally got them off. Certainly took some patients. Generally you can squeeze the clamp with pliers to get them to lock in the open position. This certainly helps removing and assembling.

For keeping dirt from falling in, I stuffed paper towels in all the ports. Then scrapped everything to the outsides. Its certainly another patient process but it certainly beats doing repair again or having engine damage from dirt falling inside. I used a paint scraper and this seemed to work best. Never used a shop vac in the times I have done LIM. (have done repair 4 times on various cars)

Hope this helps.

[00Beast]

#1: No, if they're not leaking and you left them in, they're fine. AFAIK, both ends of the injectors are the same? If you have 2 different sizes of o-ring, I don't know why that is. Yes, vaseline or even a little motor oil would be fine. Just something to lubricate them a little bit to prevent them from getting torn.

#2: You shouldn't have had to remove the hoses from the tensioner, I always just set it off to the side and left them attached. Not sure on the o-rings...

#3: I shove paper towels down into the ports and lay a couple over the lifter valley. I usually use Carb cleaner and a good scraper, then more carb cleaner and wipe down with a lint-free rag.

[chisox.fan]

Appreciate your advice...AFTER I pulled the hoses from the tensioner....I realized that i could have just set the tensioner aside and kept these plugged in. Doh. I'm thinking of just trying my luck and putting them back in and hopefully no leaks. The reason I couldn't get those clamps off with pliers is because of where they are located. they were tucked towards the windshield and down and I couldn't get anything in there. (Thanks GM assemblers)

This is the kit I got that had the 2 sets of 6 o-rings...that's why I'm not sure which goes where.
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/parts/ ... ier=465215

[chisox.fan]

So now that I have replaced the LIM gasket with the aluminum ones...should I still use the green coolant vs the orange dex coolant?

[00Beast]

It's up to you...

[chisox.fan]

Thanks for your help. I finished the job today and appears everything went well. Time will tell...