Timing belt change

[merrittr]

Hi

I have a 1990 Toyota Corolla auto trans with 315,000kms and a realatively new water pump.
A freind of mine gave it to me to use as a winter beater so i am not anxious to spen alot on a vihicle with high mileage so I was going to change out the timing belt and go with it since everything else seems to be in order.

In the mauals I see or instructions all say replace the water pump...in my case it allready has been. will there be any problems with just doing the following


-remove belts
-Remove crank pully
-remove plastic timing cover
-jack and support engine
-detach motor mount (passenger side)
-detension tesnioner
-replace belt

put it back together It doesn't look like the water pum is blocking me from doing any of this am I correct in that assumption?

[sincity.rolla]

The water pump does not block you. It is only recommended because to access the water pump.you have to do the same amount of work so while your doing the belt and already there might as well. But if it has been done recently u can just do the belt.

[merrittr]

Hey thanks Rolla

[sincity.rolla]

I do recommend getting the tensioner kit (new spring and pulley) don't want to be done to then have ur belt start slacking which leads to very bad mojo learned that the hard way. Mine walked it self out And the timing cover ate it in half then it skipped a tooth by the time I realized. I did the belt 2x in a month.

[tashirosgt]

If the top timing cover is properly installed, you have to lift the valve cover to get it off. One of those while-your-at-it-you-might-as-well things is to check the valve clearances with a feeler gage. When you replace the valve cover, remember to put silicone sealant a the base of the arches in the valve cover. If you rely only on the rubber gasket to seal, you will get a slow oil leak at those places. If the three washers under the nuts that hold the timing cover are in bad shape, it's a good idea to use silicone sealant on them also.

An impact wrench is the handiest tool for removing the crankshaft pulley. You may need a puller to get it all the way off. On the 4AFE the crankshaft pulley is partly hard rubber, which can deteriorate, so you should inspect it.

[SCT]

The only thing of the water pump you'll have to remove is just the pulley which is held onto the pump by four small screws. There won't be enough room to take the pulley out, but it'll be loose enough and movable to move out the way to take off the middle timing cover.

I usually replace the front crank seal as well. Only requires an addition step, remove the lower timing gear.

[sincity.rolla]

I was able to wiggle the middle cover out without takin the water pump pulley out... It was kinda a pita but I was
Lazy...( kinda did more work though ) up to u... The front seal and valve cover gaskets are a good idea