i have a 2003 r53 that needs a new headgasket. so ive got the car torn down to pretty much the cam and the whole front end is off to make this easier. now this is where im confused. is there a special way to not loose timing at the crank pulley? when pulling the head do you need to open up the timing cover as well and mark the chain there(arrows lined up with chain link blahblahblah) only reason i ask is because i remember on my old r53 i had to have a buddy hold up the cam gear while i swapped in a schrick cam so the chain wouldnt drop off the crank gear and have the timing go out of whack.

might be a stupid question but is that a lie? if you let go of the chain does it matter? seems right to me that if i let it fall itll come right off and ill be screwed. every DIY on a headgasket install doesnt mention pulling the timing cover but theyre also all pretty vague. if anyone can direct me to a legit full coverage diy or give me the scoop on doing the rest of this job thatd be awesome. most likely will have to have it resurfaced as she overheated pretty good.

Thanks
Aaron

 

Anyone?

 

The correct way to time the R53 has turned into a "heated" debate before, which is probably why you are hearing crickets on this.

A couple of thoughts:

The Bentley manual has a 30-page chapter on head removal and installation. Its a good resources.

The only absolute way to time the engine (assuming you have lost the timing, etc) is to remove the damper and front cover and line up the colored links on the crank gear and the cam gear. There are no marks visible on the outside of the front cover to reference.

The bentley manual does provide a procedure to line up the cam gear in a certain way to remove and re-install it without turning the crank gear. That works _only_ if you can be sure the crank didn't move. If the crank moves, you've got nothing...

Good luck.

 

My suggestion..
If you try to do it without moving anything...and do it wrong...you wreck the head..bend valves...
Since a head is usually machined if removed, I would suggest you start over with the full procedure....
Honestly...a bit more involved that changing a cam....I would pay $$ to get it done unless you have help.

 

i might just see if anyone local can lend me their manual and pull the cover to be sure. if i was to let go of the timing chain once its off the cam gear will it "drop" off the lower crank gear? or is that a myth? also i cant really tow the car to a shop as its on jackstands and the front end is completely pulled apart. :/

 

I would follow Zippy's advice and just time the whole engine top and bottom. It will be annoying and time consuming but overall it will save you money and time if the old mark and hold method is off....ask me how I know

 

I found a pdf for of the Bentley manual and it says that "the timing cover is designed in a way that prevents the chain from falling off the crank gear if it drops."

 

Yes you are correct, the chain is in a track around the crank and as long as the timing chain cover is on, there is very little chance of it skipping.


The bigger concern is to set the head in proper position so that it doesn't spring back as soon as you have the sprocket taken off. That position is about 10 degrees off vertical to the right when facing the sprocket. In that position, the cam is not going to be in a position to give you a spring back force.


Then also make sure to mark your chain against the arrow on the sprocket or else timing will be messed up.


Don't forget to clean the mating surfaces very carefully and precisely. Usually you would want to take the head to a shop to get it resurfaced but if the old head gasket isn't all caked on the head, then you might be able to get away with just scrapping everything off. Also use copper spray on the new head gasket to get a good seal. Put on several coats and let it dry enough just to be tacky still.


Any questions?

 

son of a *****... was hoping to find a good DIY on doing the headgasket, and I find this.. time to purchase the Bentley manual. UGHHH

 

I tried rotating the crank on a R53 once with the head off, relying on this idea that the chain is captured and can't jump off. It didn't exactly, except it simply sheared off the u-shaped tabs built into the aluminum cover designed to keep the chain in place. $200 part and 2-3 hours labor due to some laziness. I always take the cover off now...

 

The Bentley manual wasn't lying, I found it impossible to make the chain jump off the crank with the cover on

I'll attach the Bentley manual pdf on head gasket removal.

Here's one link

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...questions.html

Also mod min has a video on how to do it

 

It seems my point might have been missed - the front cover does seem to hold the chain in place, but don't try to turn the crank like that with the chain slack, as the chain will jam and break the relatively thin pieces guiding the chain. Keep the chain under tension, and go gently...

 

I got it David
Great advice too.

Now that I think about it, I remember I turned the crank while holding the chain. Not while there was slack. But I did not have the chain suspended or held tight while doing the head. I guess my point was it won't come off the crank. It's even in the Bentley manual, not just me saying it is so.

If you mark the chain and the sprocket you won't screw up the timing.

I marked the crank too, but when I went to put it back together I noticed my crank mark was off. What happened was I marked it, then used the special tool to remove the sprocket. Should have marked it after putting the tool on because the engine turned a little bit. That's why I was turning the crank, to see if it was possible for the chain to come off. I even tried to make it jump off, but couldn't. Peace of mind taking the cover off for sure, but definitely not needed.