timing belt/water pump removal-HELP!

[Bigred21]

I have done timing belts before but this Toy has me stumped. I am replacing the timing belt and water pump on a 98 Avalon. I have the harmonic balancer off(thanks to special tool) and need to get Camshaft sprockets off next. Is there any way to hold these sprockets in place at the timing mark so I can get the center bolt out?

Also, here is the critical question. While getting the belt off somehow I have move the LH camshft clockwise and now it is not on the timing mark which is on the timing cover back plate. It is about a 1/4 turn forward of the mark. How do I get sprocket lined back up? go counterclockwise or go all the way around. I am worried about getting everything lined up so I don't ruin the motor when it is started for the first time. I don't understand enough about how a Over head Cam works to know what to do.

[bbenson831]

I know you said you've done timing belts before but I'm just going to do a run down on it from the start for others that don't know. Skip to any desired section you need and note that when installing the new belt you go counterclockwise.

*for safety disconnect the neg. battery cable. Now time to get some move around space by removing anything in the way, and get some work space for your hands, like (*if applicable*) the coolant overflow tank, windshield washer tank, cruise control actuator and vacuum pump, and fender apron (after you jack the car up and take the tire off).

*Now to get to the timing belt you MUST remove the other belts! So you might as well get ALL your belts replaced.

*With the front of the car on jacks, and taking safety into mind when you do this, the wheel and fender apron can now come off and remove the power steering reservoir WITHOUT disconnecting the hoses and put it aside.

*Now the fun parts. use another jack to support the engine from below and remove the right engine mount, braces, bracket and engine movement control rod. Oh please do NOT put the jack under the oil drain pan plug and try to use a wood block between the jack and engine.

*Remove the spark plugs and the upper timing belt cover and gasket. Now you can position the number one cylinder at TDC. Marking the timing belt/camshaft pulley helps make more proper alignments. Now remover the timing belt tensioner but also be sure to take out the boot to as it might stick in the tensioners recess.

*Now we can relieve the tension between the rear and front camshaft sprockets by turning the rear sprocket slightly clockwise (for all you 3VZ-FE engine people,put marks on your stuff as you have no internal alignment marks to go by).

*Now you can take off the timing belt from the sprockets. Also, at this point you can now mess with the sprockets as well. See if they are worn out and replace if needed. To remove the sprocket, remove the cylinder head covers and hold the camshaft with a wrench on the CAST-IN HEX while loosening the sprocket bolt. [ This section is more for you Bigred21 to hold your sprockets in place ]

*Now remove the upper idler pulley, take off the crankshaft pulley bolt. To keep the engine from turning wedge a screwdriver into the flywheel/driveplate ring gear teeth or against a converter bolt. Once loosened the TDC position of the crankshaft can be messed with and align it as necessary.

*the crankshaft pulley can now come off to be inspected. Use a little "elbow grease" on this one as it needs a bit of pressure to come off. Take the lower timing belt cover off and slip the timing belt guide off the crankshaft. Now you can remove the #1 idler pulley and plate washer to be inspected.

* Reverse this process to install all parts/belts.

*NOTE: You don't really need to take off the sprockets but with cars as old as ours, its probably time to start inspecting them if they never been replaced, etc. Also for you 1MZ-FE engine people, be careful not to damage the crankshaft sensor portion of the sprocket removal process!

[pmesfun]

Originally Posted by Bigred21

I have done timing belts before but this Toy has me stumped. I am replacing the timing belt and water pump on a 98 Avalon. I have the harmonic balancer off(thanks to special tool) and need to get Camshaft sprockets off next. Is there any way to hold these sprockets in place at the timing mark so I can get the center bolt out?

You need a Camshaft Pulley holder. I had a class mate hold it while I loosened the RH pulley and for the LH I wedged it against the firewall.

I'm pretty sure you can rent them from your loca auto parts store
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/WILMA...4#ht_551wt_941

Originally Posted by Bigred21

Also, here is the critical question. While getting the belt off somehow I have move the LH camshft clockwise and now it is not on the timing mark which is on the timing cover back plate. It is about a 1/4 turn forward of the mark. How do I get sprocket lined back up? go counterclockwise or go all the way around. I am worried about getting everything lined up so I don't ruin the motor when it is started for the first time. I don't understand enough about how a Over head Cam works to know what to do.

You can rotate it backwards, the engine is non-interference. Once you replace the water pump and have everything back together, just make sure all the timing marks are correct. Do you have a new tensioner?

[Bigred21]

Ok now this is some good info to have. I do have a new tensioner, thanks for checking. I bought the kit that has everything. Unfortuanately, I do not have the camshaft pulley holder tool. Guess I will be ordering one fast as I have asked every store, rental, shop in town and nobody seems to have it, strange?! I want to take the sprockets off without taking the valve covers off. Just want to get this job done asap so I can give the car back. Just to confirm: I can rotate the LH camshaft sprocket counterclockwise and put it back to the mark and this will not mess anything up? There is some spring tension when you rotate the cam sprockets so I was hesitant to go backwards.

I guess at this point I could just reinstall the new Timing belt and reinstall everything and hold the water pump till later. I think this car does need cam shaft seals but the owner is out of town and already the bill is a little higher than what I said it would cost in parts. Luckily she is related so it should not be a big deal. I hate to puss out at this point! what is involved in replacing the camshaft seal anyway? remove the sprockets and then what?

Thanks for everybody's help on this project.

[pmesfun]

Originally Posted by Bigred21

Ok now this is some good info to have. I do have a new tensioner, thanks for checking. I bought the kit that has everything. Unfortuanately, I do not have the camshaft pulley holder tool. Guess I will be ordering one fast as I have asked every store, rental, shop in town and nobody seems to have it, strange?! I want to take the sprockets off without taking the valve covers off. Just want to get this job done asap so I can give the car back. Just to confirm: I can rotate the LH camshaft sprocket counterclockwise and put it back to the mark and this will not mess anything up? There is some spring tension when you rotate the cam sprockets so I was hesitant to go backwards.

I guess at this point I could just reinstall the new Timing belt and reinstall everything and hold the water pump till later. I think this car does need cam shaft seals but the owner is out of town and already the bill is a little higher than what I said it would cost in parts. Luckily she is related so it should not be a big deal. I hate to puss out at this point! what is involved in replacing the camshaft seal anyway? remove the sprockets and then what?

Thanks for everybody's help on this project.

Yeah, when I asked the auto parts store nobody knew what I was talking about. Yes you can rotate counter-clockwise, I was having the spring tension as well and I rotated backwards no problem.

You need to remove the timing cover back plate then you can get to them. I put grease on the new seals so the spring didn't pop out and slid in easily.

I made a thread when I did the tb stuff, should help with any questions you have.

Need Advice

[bob2]

the cams have a hex nut cast onto them. just use a wrench or (gasp!) a big pair of water pump pliers to hold them still.

they say you never need to change the tensioner bearings but i would, anywhere after 150,000 miles. i'd take this golden opportunity to put a water pump on it, as well!

removing or loosening the bolts that hold the pulleys on the came before the belt comes off is a good thing .)