Timing gear replacement.

[TTA579]

I don't know if the previous owner ever replaced the timing chain or gear in my car, and pushing 98k miles, it's something that needs to be done sooner rather than later.

How difficult is it to replace the timing chain/gear in my driveway? How long should it take? Are there any special tools needed? Will I have to drain fluids? Is there anything that should be done while I have the car apart?

I have a service manual, but I find they are not very specific about some things.

 

[Jan Larsson]

Complete front cover (water pump etc) have to come off .... oil you can leave in there but you will need to prime the oilpump before starting it.

Coolant you have to drain ...

So intercooler, fan, balancer and everything else to be able to remove the complete front cover ...

No special tools really but nothing you do in a few hours that's for sure.

And once you started you do want to finish it not to leave the engine open for the elements over night in the driveway.

I'm sure others done it and can shime in as I only done mine when I rebuilt the engine and had it on a stand.

The crank shaft bolt is a pain to remove and is very high torque when you install so special tools for that one is needed; I had to borrow a massive torque wrench when I did mine.

 

[2QUIK6]

You know where the timing cover and oil pan come together can be a royal pita to get to seal again, Ultra Black sealer worked well for me and use alot in the corners. If it leaks then you will need to drop the oil pan later to fix. Some loosen the oil pan to help in getting the cover off, that will almost certainly guarantee an oil pan leak.

 

[cuda72777]

Be sure to line up timing marks before you remove chain. Felpro makes a new 1 piece crank seal to replace rope seal goes in from eng side of motor open side of seal to motor. Also, know how you are going to in stall cam sensor. I did it with homemade deg. Tape and voltmeter they do sell a tool for it might want to get the tool. I would replace oil filter oil and anti freeze

 

[2QUIK6]

yeah forgot all about the cam sensor. The first time I did my GN, I carefully marked the orientation of the cap screws, then once the cap is off, carefully mark the position of the cutout in the metal tab....then make sure you do not turn the cam any after that and install you cam gear in the exact orientation as the original... worked for me without a cam sensor set tool...but it was much easier the next time in with the tool.