Timing cover ?
Pro
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 602
Likes: 0
From: North Bay Ontario
You might be able to get the cover off, but you won't get it back on properly without lowering the front of the oil pan. However, it is possible to grind a little bit off the ends of the inside lip of the TC cover to get it back into the right position around the oil pan, then use some extra RTV sealer to take care of the gap. Now, I've seen a 2 piece TC cover on ebay, designed so you can put the piece with the inside lip on first and then just slide the TC cover with seal installed over the snout of the crank. I don't know how well these work and would be interested to hear from anyone who has used the 2 piece TC cover.
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
From: Bay Area CA
Ah...good question. I've been wondering the same thing. Tomorrow's plan is to pull the TC cover. Harmonic Balancer is almost off. I'm trying to do it without disconncting the steering rack lines. Loosenig the oil pan looked like a pain because of the cross memeber, but I'll have to take another look. When you re-seated the oil pan, did you use a new gasket or just shoot some RTV in there?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 317
Likes: 1
From: 84 Blue A4 Garrison Ky
I'm not sure yet if i need to replace TC yet but i thought the easiest way to get off was loosen oil pan bolts, just checking. I got the balancer off without removing any lines, but i did have to cut about 2 inches off the long bolt for the puller. I shortened mine so i could get a wrench on the end of it. It was a PITA to get off.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 3,525
Likes: 2
From: Houston TX
Ah...good question. I've been wondering the same thing. Tomorrow's plan is to pull the TC cover. Harmonic Balancer is almost off. I'm trying to do it without disconncting the steering rack lines. Loosenig the oil pan looked like a pain because of the cross memeber, but I'll have to take another look. When you re-seated the oil pan, did you use a new gasket or just shoot some RTV in there?
Use same oil pan gasket, but use some RTV to ensure that everything seals well. You should not have to remove any of the rack lines, and the oil pan bolts are not so bad with a 1/4 drive and universal joints.
Aaron
