Timing Belt Replacement done, but... help and advice needed

[blueskyhding]

Thanks for everyone's advice and help, especially Cyorke and I just got my timing belt, PS belt and generate belt replaced for my 99 Camry 2.2 I4. Man, it took me almost 7 hours since it's the first time to change the timing belt. Everything is tested perfect.

However, I did make a mistake. When I put the No. 2 timing belt back on, I overtorqued one of four bolts, located on the left side at the bottom and it broke and the bolt head along with around 1/2" thread came off. With 3/4 partial thread left and the other three bolts in place, should I need to worry about any sealing problem? Do I have to remove the broken bolt? If I have to remove that broken bolt, how to do that since the space is so tight and I wouldn't be able to use drill.

Many thanks.

[88 LE]

^ You talking about the timing belt cover?

If so, don't worry about that broken bolt unless it bothers you. The cover ain't going anywhere.

[Gary_602Z]

Can you get in there with a little prick punch and try to walk it out counter clockwise? If you can get to it that way I bet it will come out.

Gary

[marc780]

If we understand your post correctly, what 88le says is on the money. If its just a little old timing belt cover bolt, you can probly let it go until next time since its hard to get to. Getting a drill in there is no doubt gonna be problematic, but if theres any portion of the old bolt sticking out at all you can hopefully just use small vice grips on it. Or maybe file a small slot in the center of this broken bolt to fit a screwdriver, or file the edges for a wrench.

Id just keep an eye on the cover, make sure the other bolts dont try to loosen themselves out later due to the loss of #4 bolt to hold the cover on. And make sure the cover cant warp up and let dirt in, and that the cover cannot move around and rub on the timing belt. If you want you can seal the timing belt cover edge with some silicone sealant to keep dirt out, ive done that before.

[Dave's]

If it's not recessed then a Dremel with a cutting wheel can usually slot it pretty quickly. Just try not to get into the surrounding metal.

[Sykon]

Another broken bolt trick: Those electric engraving tools that are used to scribe identifying marks on metal tools. You take the sharp point of the tool and dig it in to a spot on the broken bolt and try to walk the broken piece back out. The vibration of the tool helps loosen the broken piece and this trick will sometimes work where a hammer and punch or drill are impractical. I've used this trick many times. Granted, an engraving tool isn't in every home mechanic's tool chest, but if you can borrow one (Sears sells cheap a good one) or buy one that might fix your problem.

As above though, if it's just the timing belt cover I'd just smear some RTV around the cover's weak side and leave it at that.