ttaylor993

I was checking on an oil leak on the front end of my 2000 GS300. I wasn't sure if it was the VVT-i gear, one of the cam seals or the crank seal. I replaced them all about 2 months ago. I was thinking I may not have seated the seals correctly or the eBay VVT-i gear I bought wasn't as good a deal as it looked.

Anyway, when removing the accessory pulley, I dropped one of the screws down into the lower TB cover. I tried fishing it out with a magnet, no luck. I proceeded to take the TB cover off. While removing that god-awful crank bolt, the crank turned a little. The result was the screw chewed up the TB. It also put a few marks on the crank gear. I've included a couple of pics. Question is - should I get another gear or is this one ok to reuse? The gouges are smooth to the touch. I used steel wool to smooth them out. But, I don't want to put it back and risk tearing up the TB and ruining the motor. What do you think?

salimshah

Look at the profile of each tooth and there are 5 surfaces of a tooth (2 may have curve and so you have only two edges). Take a flat file, and make sure no surface sticks higher and all nothing sticks beyond the edges. Having an indent should not matter.

Is it worth filing or easier to purchase a new one? It is your call.

Salim