RTH: Timing Belt Service 188k

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Oct 27, 2014
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In the process of doing the timing belt. Also cleaned throttle body and ordered Cam and Crank seals. Looking thru videos they are behind the pulleys. Do i just remove the pulleys and the seal will be behind them or are they inside the camshaft? That may be a bit to much for me to undertake, so can i leave them be? I do have 188k on the engine and i read they should be replaced on the second timing belt service. I also read i need to remove the spark plugs before turning the pulleys with the new belt?

IMG_20150905_192309.webp
 
Depends on model year. If you have the vvti then seals are very difficult and you replace only if necessary. If non vvti, the process is take off the pulleys, 3-4 bolts per side for a cover iirc, pop the seals and replace. One of the faq write ups shows the process. Not that hard once you're already in there. Just pay attention to the direction of the pulleys, is possible to put them in backwards and everything still lines up, except the little tab for the camshaft running sensor. One guess how I know that little fun fact:bang:
 
'01 Dont think these are vvti's. Thanks...i looked at the FAQ again and see i can just remove the pulleys.

I must have been looking at diagrams of vvti's as the seals are on the inside.
 
I need to remove this piece.

IMG_20150906_174759.webp


Is this the right bolt?

IMG_20150906_174716.webp


As far as the spark plugs? Do they need to be removed when aligning the belt?
 
Can't tell on the bolt rom the photo. Are you using the fsm? It has drawings of all the parts, bolts, and nuts and steps in order.
No, you do not need to remove the plugs. But I do hope you set the crank/cams to the correct position prior to tearing down - makes life a whole lot easier
 
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Thanks @Scottb4857 for the spark plug info. I have not gotten to positioning the pulleys yet. Ill look at the FSM.
 
Trying to remove the LH [driver side] pulley to replace the [cam?] seal i moved the pulley to the left out of TDC. I moved it back to position. Did i mess up?

NOTE: the belt is off already.
 
If it just moved a few degrees then you moved it back you'll be fine.
 
That's a nice tool set, who makes it?
 
I removed the spark plugs to double check that everything was aligned after I installed the belt.

Not following you? How did you check alignment that way?

That's a nice tool set, who makes it?

Talk about reinventing the wheel? I found this on amazon:

Lisle 58430 Shaft Type Seal Puller


Do I turn the nut counter clockwise to loosen the cam bolts?
 
Yeah, removing them is easy with tons of ways to do so. I liked how easy it is to install the new one smoothly and evenly. The standard seal kit I had didn't fit and ended up needing to make my own press kit.
 
Not following you? How did you check alignment that way?
By removing the spark plugs your engine will not have compression. When you are done installing the timing belt you can turn your crankshaft with a rachet a couple of turns to make sure that all the marks on the belt align with the marks on the camshaft and crankshaft as is supposed to.
It gave me security that everything was moving smoth before I assembly the rest of the parts and before I started my engine.

A.J
 
By removing the spark plugs your engine will not have compression. When you are done installing the timing belt you can turn your crankshaft with a rachet a couple of turns to make sure that all the marks on the belt align with the marks on the camshaft and crankshaft as is supposed to.
It gave me security that everything was moving smoth before I assembly the rest of the parts and before I started my engine.

A.J


Im a little confused now... @Scottb4857 said i did not have to remove the spark plugs. Do i remove them all or can i just loosen them to release pressure?
 
Im a little confused now... @Scottb4857 said i did not have to remove the spark plugs. Do i remove them all or can i just loosen them to release pressure?
You don't have to removed them to do the timing belt but it is recommended if you are going to turn your engine with a ratchet at the crankshaft.
 
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