Changing ST162 cam pulley/main seals.

[Howieau]

I tried to search this but the forum kept locking up on me so ill ask right out.

Is it possible to drop 3 of the 4 engine mounts on the 3sge and lower the timing belt side down to work on? Similar to the MR2 way. I need to get in and change main seals, cam seals, oil pulley seals, timing belt, tensioner etc etc.

Or does the entire engine have to come out. Cheers

[Dale]

if you dropped 3 of the 4 engine mounts, the engine would foul on the strut tower as it lowered/pivoted down

main seals = front crank seal?

all you mentioned can easily be done with the engine in situ

[Howieau]

Well Ive been chasing down an oil leak and its under the timing covers somewhere. Im not sure what is leaking - cam pulley seals, front crank seal, oil pump pulley seal, so I thought I would drop it down and check it all. Good to hear I can do them in the car though.

Would you know of any online guides to doing such a job? Tips and tricks? Doesnt sound to be too easy of a job.

[Dale]

I've done it quite a few times, the main trouble points are:

one of the timing cover bolts is a pain to get to (top, inlet side bolt)

the inlet cam seal is hard to get to (if it's not leaking I'd recommend leaving it be)



It's pretty straight forward really, basic steps are:

support engine with a jack and piece of wood under the sump - move engine up and down to assist you accessing hard to reach places

remove drivers side engine mount

remove harmonic balancer - to crack bolt put a breaker bar on the 19mm bolt and line it up so that when the engine turns it will foul on the ground, then crack the starter, use pulley remover to remove pulley if it's too tight to do by hand

removing timing covers

release tensioner pulley for the timing belt and remove belt

remove cam pulleys (imho probably easier to do while the belt is still on and tensioned since you are replacing the belt anyway - hook two screwdrivers together and a sharp hit should crack the bolts) now would also be the time to remove the oil pump pulley if you still have the belt on and tensioned up too

remove crank timing pulley

use a screwdriver or something sharp to pull the old seals out being careful not to scratch the bore - a scew can work well, screw it into the seal then use it to pull the seal out

that should get you started, any more questions along the way just ask me

I'd start with just removing the timing covers and checking what's leaking, it's probably the front crank seal which is quite easy to replace

[Howieau]

Removed the top timing belt cover, the exhaust camshaft pulley oil seal wasnt even in! It was hanging out. I think because its so old it have just hardened or lose its shape. I will be replacing it, along with all seals(that look like they are a bit worn) idler pulleys, belt, tensioner spring etc.

Thanks for the headsup man, much appreciated