Volvo: valve cover leak, spring pressure, valve cover

Question
I recently paid a guy to replace the head on my 97 850  t5.He did not put the sealer on the cover. It is leaking like crazy, of course. I want to know if I do the job myself and have the pull down tool if the cams must come out to do the job. Thank you!

Answer
John,
The top cover holds the cams in position. So the t/belt needs to be removed and yes you had better use the tools to hold the cover and line up the cams. That way you will be sure that you have everything in proper time when it goes back together. Use the correct sealer on the cover part # 1161059 from Volvo.
When the top is removed it must be raised slowly because some of the valves are open and there is spring pressure on the cover and cams. To replace the cover use the cover holding tool and slowly and evenly draw it down.