HELP - Removing Timing Belt Cover 3sfe - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

jefe · 03-02-2007, 05:05 PM

How do you get the lower, rear bolt out? I have been trying for an hour to get this stupid bolt out...

If you are standing at the passenger side, front tire and looking at the cover, there are 5 bolts. Starting at the front and working backwards (roughly counter-clockwise) I removed the 1st 4 bolts. I just cannot get to the last one no matter what.

(The cruise control and power steering brackets are removed so I could push those 2 out of the way. I have the engine jacked up with a piece of wood under the lip of the oil pan.)

Thanks!
Jefe

jefe · 03-02-2007, 09:09 PM

Anyway, I figured out the cover, but the next problem is removing the cam shaft wheel and the crank shaft wheel...

I've tried 6 different auto parts stores and none of them have the "SST" tools in the manual (either to sell or rent). I called Toyota, but they don't rent tools.

Any recommendations on how to remove these? It doesn't seem like a strap wrench would be strong enough. I saw the post from the guy who wedged a wrench against the car and hit the starter. I would consider trying that if it wouldn't damage anything, but then there is the issue of putting it back on to torque. For the cam shaft wheel I was thinking of trying to wedge a crow bar into the teeth of the wheel but I am afraid to damage the teeth (which would then tear up the new belt, once installed.

I would really appreciate any help.

Thanks.

ghettosled · 03-02-2007, 09:34 PM

to remove the cam gear i left the timing belt on and gave it a quick jerk with a socket wrench and that seemed to do the trick. for the crank pulley, i did the wedge a breaker bar against the ground and bumped the starter. worked like a charm. just make sure you disable the car so it cant start!

if you have access to a decent impact wrench, i heard those will easily do the job.

jefe · 03-02-2007, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ghettosled

to remove the cam gear i left the timing belt on and gave it a quick jerk with a socket wrench and that seemed to do the trick. for the crank pulley, i did the wedge a breaker bar against the ground and bumped the starter. worked like a charm. just make sure you disable the car so it cant start!

if you have access to a decent impact wrench, i heard those will easily do the job.

I don't have an impact wrench. I will try to "bump" the crack shaft using a wrench and the starter, but how do I brace it when I am trying to tighten it back on to torque (in the opposite direction?)

Also, my timing belt broke, so I can't follow your advice for the cam shaft wheel....

marc780 · 03-03-2007, 05:03 PM

There is a section on the camshaft that can be held with an open-end wrench to keep it from turning, while you loosen the camshaft pulley bolt. Of course you need to remove the valve cover first.
I couldn't find a picture showing the camshaft in the car with the "hexagonal wrench head portion" visible. So here's an image of the closest thing - you can see the section on the cam that has been clamped in the vise. (Naturally you wouldnt want to use a camshaft lobe for this by mistake).

Quote:

I will try to "bump" the crack shaft using a wrench and the starter, but how do I brace it when I am trying to tighten it back on to torque (in the opposite direction?)

All you can do is get it as tight as you can by hand. I'd be really careful doing this because if you are a little too enthusiastic, you could make the belt jump time. In other words, DONT use timing belt tension to help you tighten the crank pulley bolt.

It's not likely the bolt will come loose especially if you just use some lock tite blue on the threads and just go ahead and put everything back together.
Then maybe next time you are around some shop that does have an impact wrench maybe they will let you borrow theirs or blip the pulley bolt on a little tighter for you.

88 LE · 03-04-2007, 03:27 AM

Why your trying to remove the cam gear is beyond me. It does not need to be removed for a timing belt change.

jefe · 03-04-2007, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 88 LE

Why your trying to remove the cam gear is beyond me. It does not need to be removed for a timing belt change.

I have everything disassembled and you are right. This is my 1st timing belt change, and the Toyota factory manual (and I believe Haynes also) said to remove it.

I was thinking about replacing the cam seal since I have the gear off, but from what I little I know that is an unlikely source for a problem so maybe to leave well enough alone? (Car has 245K miles on it.)

Also, I tried to replace the crankshaft (front) seal and couldn't press it in evenly. Would using an appropriate diameter length of PVC pipe and tapping the end with a ruber mallet do the job here?

Last question (for now...) there are some bolts that I can't get to using my torque wrench beacuase the head is too big (or the handle is too long). Basically I just tried to go by feel, comparing it to other bolts I could get to with the torque wrench.

Thanks.
Jefe

jefe · 03-04-2007, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marc780

There is a section on the camshaft that can be held with an open-end wrench to keep it from turning, while you loosen the camshaft pulley bolt. Of course you need to remove the valve cover first.
I couldn't find a picture showing the camshaft in the car with the "hexagonal wrench head portion" visible. So here's an image of the closest thing - you can see the section on the cam that has been clamped in the vise. (Naturally you wouldnt want to use a camshaft lobe for this by mistake).

All you can do is get it as tight as you can by hand. I'd be really careful doing this because if you are a little too enthusiastic, you could make the belt jump time. In other words, DONT use timing belt tension to help you tighten the crank pulley bolt.

It's not likely the bolt will come loose especially if you just use some lock tite blue on the threads and just go ahead and put everything back together.
Then maybe next time you are around some shop that does have an impact wrench maybe they will let you borrow theirs or blip the pulley bolt on a little tighter for you.

Thanks, this really helps, especially the part about holding the camshaft. Didn't think to check for that

ghettosled · 03-04-2007, 08:06 PM

if your cam shaft seal isnt leaking, i wouldnt bother replacing it. its not in an easy place to get a new seal into.

i use a section PVC and a mallet technique for new seals and it seems to work well.

marc780 · 03-07-2007, 03:18 AM

Quote:

Also, I tried to replace the crankshaft (front) seal and couldn't press it in evenly. Would using an appropriate diameter length of PVC pipe and tapping the end with a ruber mallet do the job here?

Yes that might work except PVC is plastic so i dont know how good that will work for you. Use a short piece of steel pipe. This steel pipe could even be exhaust system tubing, the size is close - but its relatively expensive. Pry out your new seal or buy a new one if you have to. Then go to Home Depot and buy a small length of pipe - that will fit over the crankshaft snout and do the job on your seal. You get the idea by now? Have them cut it unless they are boring you to death and you have vice and hacksaw.