Timing Belt Cover - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

capnblinski · 07-10-2011, 08:04 PM

Was getting ready to detail the engine and noticed that there was a slight gap at the top of the upper timingbelt cover. Well, where the two uppermost 10 mm bolts go the one to the left side towards the firewall and down is missing and the other bolt on top towards the front was not bolted on there as well as it could be. So it seems that I need another bolt, and by squeezing the cover together at the top while tightening the bolts will bring the cover together at the top as it should be.

I understand the upper cover is a b#@! to put on and maybe whoever did the job last just didn't care to do it the right way.

So far there has been no major probs in my 15 months of ownership - and no water sprayed under the hood - but I am planning the detailing soon as I like things to be as shipshape as possible.

Could the upper tb cover having a gap like this have eventually caused a problem?

2000 5sfe
170xxx

hill8570 · 07-10-2011, 08:15 PM

Gap at the top not as bad as a gap near the road...the cover's there to keep crud from getting in and and wearing stuff (mainly the TB) before it's time. A gap might eventually have caused premature failure of the TB, but just as likely you'd have never noticed any problem...the other two belts in the system are exposed to everything, and they generally last forever.

ghettosled · 07-10-2011, 09:15 PM

how big is the gap? i honestly wouldnt worry about it. its nice to keep dirt and dust out, but some getting in isnt that bog of a deal. an oil leak from a cam seal or from the oil pump would be much more detrimental to the timing belt.

***JohnGD*** · 07-11-2011, 12:43 AM

It shouldn't be difficult if things were aligned. Covers should hold flush with the backing plate with light single finger pressure. The shop just didn't bother to do it right.

capnblinski · 07-11-2011, 01:53 PM

Hey guys - thanks again.

I got a new bolt and sort of squeezed the top together while lightly tightening the top bolts and it is sitting perfectly flush now.

Sometimes I think I'm a bit anal lol - but once again I think things should be as shipshape as possible - if I ever own a brand new car, I wouldn't want to take it out because the nice new clean underside would get all dirty!!

Take care...