Upper timing belt cover removal: 1998 Camry 4 Cyl.

[dcbc991]

I'm underway with changing out the timing belt, water pump, seals, etc. on my 1998 4cyl Camry. I really had a difficult time with getting the upper timing belt cover off and in the process, I ruined the foam gasket material. When it comes time to put it back on, I know there is no way to do so without ruining the new gasket.

Any hints or suggestions? I have a power steering pump hose that's in the way somewhat. Are other removing it to gain more clearance? Also, there is a wire harness to the left of the cover. Not sure that can be moved. Are others jacking up the engine to gain clearance?

Any ideas or suggestions are helpful.

Thanks.

[menthol]

foam gasket material? mine did not come with it or must have been missing it ever since, LOL. you must remove the upper engine mount to gain more access to the timing belt cover. forget about socket wrenches as only open or back wrenches will make it though the bolt beside the strut housing. you can reach it from above or underneath behind the wheel, it will be a very tight squeeze with not visibility. just undo and put back on by feel.

Edit: do not forget to support the engine on jacks before taking the engine mount off. you might wanna consider taking it to a shop because the timing belt will be easy to replace after you get rid of the crank pulley but the other seals will require more experience way beyond taking out the timing belt cover. good luck!

[bolink654]

I know what he's talking about. Mine had the foam too. I re-installed it without the foam. 30 or 40 thousand later and no problems.

However some of the DIY's have guys replacing the foam. I too would like to know how they get it back in without tearing up the new foam.

As a side note, I have had the timing belt cover off another camry that had been done by a fairly respectable shop, and they DID put foam back in, but only in spots.... they left it out of that spot that you chew up when taking the cover in and out.

The foam is obviously just to keep out rocks or something, cuz it sure doesnt seal well enough to be water or dust proof. I feel that the cover fits tight enough to keep out rocks by itself.

[mail2_jb]

To take the upper timing cover, you need to follow the DIY here step by step. When I did my TB change, the cover came of without any issues.
My foam was still attached to the cover, so i didn't have to replace it

[dcbc991]

Originally Posted by mail2_jb

To take the upper timing cover, you need to follow the DIY here step by step.

Like...which one? Last I checked there were several versions "stickied". It doesn't really matter now. I was able to get the upper cover on no problem yesterday (after I removed the Power Steering hose and took extra time and care).

[thefranks5]

When you all say the DIY instructions, is there a DIY section on toyotanation site I'm not seeing, or are you talking about the DIY website? Preparing to tackle this job hopefully later in the day.

Also any thoughts on parts from O'Reilly vs. NAPA vs. Carquest? Quality.

Thanks

[BMR]

Originally Posted by thefranks5

When you all say the DIY instructions, is there a DIY section on toyotanation site I'm not seeing, or are you talking about the DIY website? Preparing to tackle this job hopefully later in the day.

Also any thoughts on parts from O'Reilly vs. NAPA vs. Carquest? Quality.

Thanks

Yeah, there's a sticky thread full of links to DIYs at the top of the "3rd & 4th Generation" Camry page. Here's a link that'll take you directly there.

In my opinion, for quality I'd rank those three NAPA 1st, Carquest (close second), and O'Reilly a distant 3rd. But there's lots of exceptions; depending on what part it is. For example, a Gates serpentine belt can be had 'bout anywhere.

[reluctantmechanic]

You might want to check youtube for video of the belt job...dont remember the name, but there is also a company that sells a 15minute video on itunes for a few bucks...WORTH IT!

good luck, keep us posted.

[thefranks5]

Doctor J and all... thanking you for your insights and patience.

Mission completed. My 1990 Camry is running smoothly ... with no oil leaks.

The process included both the replacement of the power steering high pressure hose and the timing belt.... my first ever.

It took four day, four full days, morning until midevening, many trips to Harbor Freight, auto parts stores, hardware stores, etc. Getting the crankshaft center bolt off took numerous tries, including two different air impact wrenches, an electric impact wrench, strap wrench, liquid wrench, etc...

In the end, the winner was an earthquake style air impact wrench with maximum impact.

Many mistakes and rabbit trails along the way.

In the end, Dr. J's instructions proved the most helpful.

I started documenting it with many photos, but in the end I stopped the photo process and kept on going.

Thanks to a friend, Chuck P. whose been down the road before, we got the timing belt positioned down to a gnat's eyebrow with the crank and cam.

Wow... now I have another Camry to do in the future, 1991. Hopefully the next one won't take four days....maybe only two.

For those coming behind, my suggestion is, follow Dr. J's steps, have a high power impact wrench at hand, have a friend who knows the process available, and most of all, if you're not a mechanic, bring your patience and be prepared to have it take a lot of time.

[bolink654]

Originally Posted by thefranks5

Doctor J and all... thanking you for your insights and patience.

Mission completed. My 1990 Camry is running smoothly ... with no oil leaks.

The process included both the replacement of the power steering high pressure hose and the timing belt.... my first ever.

It took four day, four full days, morning until midevening, many trips to Harbor Freight, auto parts stores, hardware stores, etc. Getting the crankshaft center bolt off took numerous tries, including two different air impact wrenches, an electric impact wrench, strap wrench, liquid wrench, etc...

In the end, the winner was an earthquake style air impact wrench with maximum impact.

Many mistakes and rabbit trails along the way.

In the end, Dr. J's instructions proved the most helpful.

I started documenting it with many photos, but in the end I stopped the photo process and kept on going.

Thanks to a friend, Chuck P. whose been down the road before, we got the timing belt positioned down to a gnat's eyebrow with the crank and cam.

Wow... now I have another Camry to do in the future, 1991. Hopefully the next one won't take four days....maybe only two.

For those coming behind, my suggestion is, follow Dr. J's steps, have a high power impact wrench at hand, have a friend who knows the process available, and most of all, if you're not a mechanic, bring your patience and be prepared to have it take a lot of time.

Search around for the method of using a breaker bar and bumping the starter for removing that crankshaft/harmonic balancer bolt. There is a video on how to do it. Very easy, works great on the first try, and alot cheaper than impact wrenches.

Edit: Video here

http://youtu.be/2Zu5g95gpqo