Since you're replacing the seals, belt and everything in there anyway, I would spray it first with brake cleaner. Then wipe it. Then take it apart. Then put new seals in. Then wipe clean again.
You really don't need to mark the timing belt at all. And yes you can turn the crank and camshaft, but it's best to align the crank and cam before you remove the belt and just leave them be, there is really no reason to turn them. The cam will get turned a bit when removing the gear of course. Use a wood clamp to hold the cam gear, it works perfectly.
BTW, the timing belts from a Toyota dealer have marks on the belt itself, it makes it really easy. The OEM equivalents do not, 3rd party belts don't either.
When installing the new belt, you need to check that the crank and cam marks are correct, rotate the crank 720 degrees and check again. There is no need to mark the belts.If you dont mark the timing belt and transfer it to the new belt, then you could be off by a tooth when reinstalling, thus, the timing will be off.
I had the same problem. What I ended up doing was to take a flat blade screwdriver and jam it into the seal itself, and then I could pry it out. When I say "jam" I don't mean with a 10 lb hammer, but pound with your palm.I cant get the camshaft seal out to save my life! Ive tried drilling a hole in the seal to put a screw in it and pull it out, but I cant get the drill in there at all! Ive been trying to get it out for over 2 hours!
Anyone have any other tricks I could try?! Im desperate!
Thanks!
Well, I would avoid spraying brake cleaner on rubber parts like CV boots, belts, gaskets.^^ Best advise. Brake clean works great for this kind of thing, and won't harm anything in the process. On the especially bad areas, use a tooth brush to scrub the crud off.
Something to keep in mind. The stuff I buy seems pretty mild, not near as harsh as the cleaners I have used in the past. But you're right you don't want to dry out/damage anything in the cleaning process. It sure is tempting to just get in there with a pressure washer though, would be clean in a few seconds. :lol:Well, I would avoid spraying brake cleaner on rubber parts like CV boots, belts, gaskets.
I removed my oil pump pulley by putting the old timing belt around the sprocket (both to hold and to cushion it), then clamped a big C-clamp on it really tight and held it with that while I broke the nut loose.
Tracy