People suggest you rotate it counter clockwise slightly and then clockwise. I ONLY rotate clockwise and have never had a problem.

 

But do you hear the click while rotating counter clockwise and then and only then go clockwise???

 

I just bump-started it (which makes it go clockwise) a few times and didn't have any issue.

 

OP I was conflicted with this yesterday, I used the 6th gear bump technique, heard a few distinct "clicks" and results seem to be successful, so far drove it about 50 miles and nothing catastrophically failed yet

 

So thats bascically another vote for clockwise

 

Hmmm....wow. Hard to belive there isn't one absolute answer on this.

Also...I saw one thing about TDC. Maybe that video was also doing some timing chain or cam work I can't recall. Any need to put the motor at tdc to do the tensioner??? And....while I'm at it, can you just move the belt tensioner over 8mm instead of jacking the motor? Of course I guess you can't get a torque wrench on it if you don't jack the motor.

 

I don't recall having to worry about TDC. Here's hardtopte72 with his DIY on this. This is what I followed with no problems:

DIY 2003-2008 Corolla, Matrix, Pontiac Vibe 1ZZFE Timing...

I finally got around to doing a timing chain tensioner DIY for the 1ZZFE thanks to a leak on my 2003 Corolla LE. The leak depicted is after cleaning it about a month ago. This DIY will apply universally to all 1999-2008 Corolla, Matrix, Chevrolet Prizm, and Pontiac Vibe and should be very...

www.toyotanation.com

I would only say to add a couple of drops of oil on the new o-ring before installing.

 

I see guys on youtube like drenching it. over and over with each foiled attempt to insert.

 

+1 on following that write up. I did mine a few months ago and all I did was to bump the starter. Been 5k miles since then. Running good

 

Heres how dirty it is....frankly not real bad right around the tensioner though. Admittedly I cleaned it a bit last week but it was nowhere near as bad as the pic in hardtop72's tutorial above. I mean hell....if my power steering was constantly low Id think it was that. I guess if the timnin cover is leaking oil would naturally end up on the pump and areas below....Just not real sure if my o ring is indeed leaking. Found this rather good sized puddle today after she sat all night. Dont usually wake up to that sort of a puddle (odd shape too). I did hit lift a few times yesterday which i rarely do. Lol (wanted to test it after recent lift bolts). So maybe that had soemthing to do with it?> I have a vid but cant upload obviously

 

I don't know if your leak is the same as mine. Will take another look in the morning again.

Mine doesn't drip on the floor. I am having some doubt as to where the source of my leak is. For me, I am thinking crank pulley o ring but there would be evidence on the floor and there isn't.

I was thinking timing cover as well, but not sure now. A friend mentioned axle seal to me, but wouldn't it be on the ground as well?

 

yeah mine is NEVER directly under the crank. Frankly it seems to be on the crossmember and drip onto the floor from there.....but, seems like air movement might take oil from the timing cover and push it onto the power steeing pump, the crossmember etc. I just feel like my tensioner area should be way oilier directly around it. I read one comment saying it could be clean beacuse iuts merely running down the hot engine. Sort of makes sense I guess. I dont kwno. Thinking timing cover, oil pan too.....

 

well i cant even get the smog pump off. if i do i cant see being able to get it back on (the lower hose i mean). might be dead in the water. fk it

 

You need to remove it. Need long needle nose pliers and remove the motor mount as it blocks the clamp. The video I just posted, the creator just moved the clamp backwards towards the firewall and removed the air injection pump.

Go to 3:45.

 

Go to 11:30 for the belt tensioner. Around 12:00, timing tensioner reset.

 

yeah ended up getting it off. But couldnt budge the belt tensioner whatsoever. Maybe cause it was stone cold....Gonna try later when good and warm.

 

The 19mm fake nut or the 17mm bolt?

Edit : saw your other post. It's the fake nut. Yeah don't force it.