Looks like I'm leaking from the lower rear corner of the timing case cover. Already did the oil pan gasket.

by #8




Other that the crankshaft seal that were disturbed by taking it off and the oil pump o-rings (and the cover gasket obviously), what else to do and look at while I'm in there?

Budget car (not motor) rebuild on 2002 R53 178k, high compression numbers.

I'm not inclined to to the harmonic balancer (budget rebuild). And I'm not going to race it, would almost prefer a non S but I'm learning a lot! :-)

I found these resources

https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/r...covers/AvlxUaK

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ml#post4536584

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...r-removal.html

 

Well with 178k I would for sure do the timing chain kit. We see them stretched at just 130k and you have to pull the timing cover to do it.
https://www.waymotorworks.com/timing...0-r52-r53.html

Also make sure you replace ALL 3 seals on the cover
https://www.waymotorworks.com/timing...0-r52-r53.html

I know you said your out of budget, but I would HIGHLY recommend doing the crank pulley at the same time. They are all going to fail at some point as the rubber in them just drys out and they fall off.

 

Pay me now, pay me later...

 

Later...Its an easy replacement when the car is back together...and for a budget rebuild, it may not be next thing that kills the car.

 

Thanks WMW, I'll have to learn how to replace the timing belt/sprockets and may toss that in the repair. You have a BEAUTIFUL cryo chain which would be amazing (along with the super duper harmonic balancer) if this was that kind of rebuild but it is too spendy for this project. Rock auto has a kit at $40 and others at $100ish.....now the question becomes keep riding the original chain or roll the dice on t less expensive option..hmmm....I'll see how much stretch there is once I take off the cover...The side-by-side chain stretch image you have on your website is really helpful.

 

Ahh, but it might...it just might...

They go when they want to go. But they go. Mine went at 50K.

You did ask "while you're in there..."

 

Yes it just might....Hope it last though...(teasing - technically, I asked while I'm "IN" there, and HB is outside of the cover [wink]) and I really appreciate all y'alls comments.

 

This looks quite stretched...what say ye internal experts?... How much effectiveness of left in the tensioner piston?




Here's the pic comparison WMW

 

Yup replace

 

Yes replace it looks just like the pictures we have.
The key is the entire kit as not only is the chain stretched, but the sprockets the teeth get deeper like bicycle sprockets and you need to replace them at the same time.

 

I'm getting ready to do the same job...replace the timing cover gasket. I have 190k on my motor, so I'm guessing it would be stupid not to replace the timing chain. How much more involved is that? Is it as simple as pulling the main gear off the bottom, taking the valve cover off and pulling the chain off of the cam gears, and then keeping everything in time when you install the new parts?

 

I'll bump this thread as I am in the same boat. Leaking oil from the timing cover, car with 217k + miles, and no record of the timing chain or tensioners being changed prior to my ownership. So I'm facing a while-I'm-in-there moment. I've seen the cam locking tool. Is this a must? How hard is it to get the sprockets off? Thanks

 

It could probably be done without the cam locking tool but is your engine timing really something you want to cut corners on? The W11 timing tool kit can be had for about $60 and it makes things so much easier than trying to rig something else to work.

In my opinion, the W11 timing setup is very, very simple.

 

Thanks for the input, that's what I figured. I did post wanted ad looking for a second hand cam lock tool. No offers yet though.