Timing Belt & Main Seal Replacement

[Createdtoburn]

Well this Saturday I think I might replace my timing belt. I've come to the conclusion that my oil pan isn't leaking (being that I replaced the damn gaskets a few weeks ago, although a few screws are stripped, I should replace those) but there is deffinitely still oil leaking from my engine somewhere behind my timing cover in that area. A few people at work told me it's probably my Front Main Seal. I'll probably end up replacing all of whatever needs to be done in this job.

Thats why I'm going to do the Front Main Seal and timing belt at the same time. I was wondering though, if anybody has any recommendations before I go into this job, like setting the timing a different way or keeping it factory, or what is a good idea to do to prevent having to go back into it, blah blah.

Any help is appreciated :-)

[TonkaTom]

Since your in there you might as well replace all of the other belts.

[ericdude]

Make sure to take some pictures when you're at your maximum disassembly level.
I also need to replace the main seal and/or cam seal (but I have a 4AF). What I'm
curious about is whether I'll need to use repair sleeves on the shaft before I replace
the seal. Some sources say they have grooves (which would impede the new seal
from doing its job) while others don't. Some say to not use the repair sleeve even
if a groove is present, and just seat the seal to a different depth. Do you have
the SSTs or some carefully measured pipe segments to press in the new seals?

Let's see what your data point is.

You definitely want to use a new timing belt unless you just changed it; whether you want
to replace all the others (3 IIRC--power steering, alternator/water pump, and A/C) is up
to you. Doing it later won't require taking the timing belt off again so it's a lesser deal.

Water pump could also be replaced when the serpentine belts are off.

I'm worried about the time of the project (for myself at least). I've done a bunch of minor
jobs on the car, but the first time I do the seal replacement, I'm figuring AT LEAST 8 hours,
and more if something gets stuck and/or doesn't go according to plan.

[Createdtoburn]

Well I will say I replaced the timing belt on my 92 Celica one time with the 4A-FE engine. It really wasn't too hard at all. I remember there being notches you had to line up for the timing. I was curious if this will be the same, although it's a DOHC, so a bit different.

The other two belts on the car actually look newish, you can tell they've been replaced with the writing on them. And I don't have AC in my car. From what I remember the Water Pump is external and not behind the timing cover, but I could be wrong. My only leaks oil so I'm mostly just worried about replacing those seals.

The whole job shouldn't actually take very long, especially since I'll be working in a shop with plenty of tools I'll need including air tools. Any more information is appreciated though, thanks!

[ericdude]

Originally Posted by Createdtoburn

Well I will say I replaced the timing belt on my 92 Celica one time with the 4A-FE engine. It really wasn't too hard at all. I remember there being notches you had to line up for the timing. I was curious if this will be the same, although it's a DOHC, so a bit different.!

The 4A-FE is also a DOHC. There's only one external cam pulley because the second shaft is
driven internally by the first with direct gear drive.

[Createdtoburn]

Yeah I know. That's how the 4A-FE's are. But do you know if setting up the timing is basically the same?

[Donald]

If you go into the timing belt area, I would suggest changing all other belts and the water pump.
Since you have an oil leak, I would do the crank and cam seals. That way, you will have confidence that you won't need to be going back in there in another 6 months.

It will cost more now, but if you have to go back in there again soon, for a $25 part that you could chenge now, you will definately be kicking yourself.

[toyotaspeed90]

timing belt is basically the same between a 4afe and 4age... except that the motor mount is in the middle of the belt on the 4age... so you have to remove the belt (whereas I believe you don't have to on a 4afe).

the seals are the same between the 4afe and 4age.... they're pretty easy to replace.... you'll have your wheel removed.... the hardest part about replacing the seal will be getting the lower timing belt pulley off as 1/2 the time they just about weld themselves on (this has been my only problem ever... I have broken about 5 lower gears so far....).

There are ways to drill and tap holes to use pullers, but quite honestly if the lower gear is on as tight as some of them that I've had it won't help.

When you go to install the seal, also buy some sylglyde as it makes installing much easier to slide in.... this stuff is good for brakes as well anyways, so it's good to have

[ericdude]

So did the people that have done this before see grooves when the
old seals were removed? Grooves or no grooves!?

Repair sleeve?

[Donald]

I've seen grooves, but they were very shallow. I cleaned the area with scotch brite and tried to install the seals so they were in a slightly different location on the shaft.

The grooves were so shallow anyway that I don't think it would make a difference. No leak.

[Createdtoburn]

Well like I said I'll have air tools, like impact guns, to help loosen any "too tight" bolts. Also by the way, I'll be replacing my CV Axel while I'm in there as well. So I'll have easy access to everything in the lower end. This job shouldn't be too hard I'm thinking.

[ericdude]

How did you get access to a shop? Are you friends with a mechanic?
I've always wanted a lift so I don't spend the weekend on my back under
the car but I've never known how to pull it off. I wish you could rent
a "stall" with a lift and air tools by the hour--that would be heaven.

[datsa]

Yeah, me too. I wish I had access to a shop.

[Createdtoburn]

I work at a Ford dealership haha. I work in the shop doing stuff like changing oil and tires and brakes and fluids etc. Saturdays are the days I always work on my car :-p

[ericdude]

Wow, that's pretty generous of them to let you use their lift for your own car.
At the dealerships here, Saturdays are pretty busy but I imagine they might let
employees work on their own cars on Sunday, when parts & service are closed.