Timing chain cover gaskets

yewcorner · 23rd January 2006, 17:28

Is this a big job? I'm hearing 8 hours? Looks like a relatively easy job. But in hindsight the easy jobs turn out to be the hardest.

Whats involved. Appreciate any experiences.

Thanks

Brian

farrell · 23rd January 2006, 21:04

Brian
Its a big job dependant on how you tackle it
I think its recommeded that you remove the head & therefore change the head gasket as well so that when you refit the front cover you can ensure that the top part of the cover that sits flush with the head & gets sealed to the head properly when the head is torqued back down.

If you do it like I did which was to leave the head well alone & remove the viscous fan & front end accessory drive & pulleys & water pump casting IIRC
etc you can do it in 4 odd hours.

Its been a good 3 yrs since I did it but its bone dry like the rest of my engine.

Farrell

TBrown · 24th January 2006, 05:16

Like Farrell said the only danger of not removing the head is possibly damaging the head gasket. I'm about to do mine and I'm planning on removing the head.

yewcorner · 24th January 2006, 12:47

I'm having William Jacks do it. I just don't have the time to do it myself. They said it would be circa 8 hours, although I didn't speak to my regular contact. The real pi$$er is that I had this done with the engine rebuild circa 50k miles ago. Do you need the oil sump gasket doing as well? If so, I'll probably see if I can them to slip my recon steering box in and engine mounts at the same time.

Of course I'm assuming it is the lower timing chain cover and not the sump gasket. I can't really see where the oil is coming from other than its pretty wet on the exhaust side of the engine.

Anything else I should consider doing whilst we're in there?

Quote:

Originally Posted by TBrown

Like Farrell said the only danger of not removing the head is possibly damaging the head gasket. I'm about to do mine and I'm planning on removing the head.

yewcorner · 27th January 2006, 17:38

I'm getting a feeling this maybe the 'crankshaft seal'. Previous search on oil leaks etc.

Anyone had experience of changing this seal. How diffiicult/costly in terms of effort/time etc.

Thanks

BC

Quote:

Originally Posted by yewcorner

I'm having William Jacks do it. I just don't have the time to do it myself. They said it would be circa 8 hours, although I didn't speak to my regular contact. The real pi$$er is that I had this done with the engine rebuild circa 50k miles ago. Do you need the oil sump gasket doing as well? If so, I'll probably see if I can them to slip my recon steering box in and engine mounts at the same time.

Of course I'm assuming it is the lower timing chain cover and not the sump gasket. I can't really see where the oil is coming from other than its pretty wet on the exhaust side of the engine.

Anything else I should consider doing whilst we're in there?

yewcorner · 10th February 2006, 10:35

Panic over!

The oil leak turned out to be the chain tensioner washers!

Much relief, had visions of cylinder head coming off for chain cover gasket or engine being lifted for sump gasket. Visions of 10 hours labour charges.

Bill came to £524 inc VAT, which included new rear anti roll bar 20mm and all mounts/links, ride height reset, new battery and the work to replace the washers on the chain tensioner.

Must say, new anti roll bar makes the car fell much more supple/pliant on cornering, very impressed!

Quote:

Originally Posted by yewcorner

I'm getting a feeling this maybe the 'crankshaft seal'. Previous search on oil leaks etc.

Anyone had experience of changing this seal. How diffiicult/costly in terms of effort/time etc.

Thanks

BC