shilla

Folks,

I'm considering doing my own timing belt and water pump replacement and was looking for some tips and recommendations. I've seen a couple of posts on this topic and some diagrams but I'd also like some input from folks who have done this before. It doesn't look difficult but it does look time consuming.

Questions:
1. Which repair manual would you recommend? I've seen the Hayne's manual and it left me with a lot of questions. Also, the diagrams didn't seem accurate to my car.
2. Any tips, suggestions or warnings?

Steve

esucaris1

Here is a site for your free fsm http://www.megaupload.com/?d=RW7P1OXF

lexusk8

Here's another site to download the FSM if you don't want to wait 45 sec before download

http://phatg20.net/index.php?option=...fileinfo&id=81

shilla

Perfect! Thanks much. Steve

jet_jockey

doing the timing belt can be a daunting task. You can get by without using the specialty tools, but you'll probably need a good impact wrench to take the crankshaft bolt off and a pulley puller to remove the pulley. One hint is when you are going back on with the new belt, be sure to keep rechecking the cam gear position before and after you install the belt, because they tend to move a bit when belt tension is applied. The easiest way to get everything back in time is to make sure any of your belt slack is on the side closest to the tensioner pulley. If done properly, that will keep the cams and crank gear all in time. After you get the belt installed, be sure to rotate the engine at least 2 complete revolutions and then recheck your marks.

Water pump:

I replaced the water pump on my 94 recently, and Im not 100% sure if the 98 is exactly the same, but it may apply also. The book called to remove the metal backplate of the timing belt cover to access the water pump. Instead of pulling the cam gears off to do that (which is tough), I just pulled all the bolts out of the backplate (you can get at the ones behind the cam gear by turning the cam so that you have room to get a socket in there). Once the bolts are out of it, then you can move the backplate around a bit, and for me it was enough to bend it out just a bit to get the top part of the water pump out without pulling that plate completely off.

When you go back in with the water pump though, I recommend that you get the metal replacement gasket instead of the paper one. this way you can get the new pump in there and not be too worried about ripping or tearing the gasket while putting it in (because you cant see the top part as its behind that backplate).

Hope this helps.

kphu

iTrader: (8)

I hope you have a timing gun.

lxgs4

Timing gun? Whenever I replace the timing belt on the ES, there isn't a need for a timing gun. Just make sure you line up the timing marks, then rotate the full revolution and make sure it all lines up again.