09 4.0l head gasket

Head gasket is leaking coolant externally on the passenger side just above the exhaust manifold.
It's a very small weep(doesn't drop on the ground at all, just the pink build up)

Manual calls for dropping the front diff and steering gear. Firstly if I'm going that far I'm removing the engine instead of dropping all that crap.

Has anyone had luck leaving the oil pan on when changing the timing cover? I have done it lots on other trucks(Chevy and fords) where the seal between the timing cover and pan is silicone. Is it not the same on this?

Why does the pan have to be pulled?

 

@Torspd

 

It doesn't have to be pulled. Just need to be vigilant and careful.

 

So it is similar to the ford's then? Where the only thing you can screw up is scrapping off your bead of silicone and causing a leak?

 

im gonna be doing the headgaskets on my 05 and from what i have read, your best bet is to remove the front oil pan studs to gain clearance and avoid removing the pan