Front Cover & Timing Chain: Removal
- Disconnect negative battery cable. Raise and support vehicle. Drain engine oil. Remove right front wheel and splash shield. Put a block of wood between cradle and engine torque strut at bottom front end of engine. See Figure.
- Remove mount from upper front end of engine, allowing engine to rest on wood block. Remove accessory drive belt and tensioner. Remove accessory belt idler. Remove cylinder head cover.
- Replace silicone isolators on cylinder head cover screws if deteriorated. Remove power steering pump (leave hoses attached). Remove A/C compressor (leave hoses attached). Raise and support vehicle. Drain engine oil. Remove right front wheel and splash shield.
- Remove support bracket between intake manifold and engine block. Remove front balancer/pulley using a 3-jaw puller. Disconnect exhaust pipe from exhaust manifold. Install Crankshaft Gear Retainer (SA9104E) onto end of crankshaft, with flat side toward crankshaft gear (sprocket). Crankshaft gear retainer holds crankshaft gear in place during removal of front cover.CAUTION: If crankshaft gear is not held in place, timing chain guide will be damaged.
- Remove 4 bolts from front end of oil pan. Using RTV Cutter (SA9123E), cut RTV sealant between oil pan and front cover. Spray penetrating oil onto front cover dowel pins. Remove front cover bolts (one bolt is located above accessory drive belt pulley). Pry front cover from engine block.WARNING: During timing chain removal, camshaft(s) may turn. Keep fingers and tools away from sprockets and chain.
- To prevent pistons from hitting valves, turn crankshaft 90 degrees clockwise as viewed from front of engine until timing mark and keyway are aligned with split line of main bearing cap. Remove timing chain tensioner, guides and chain. While using a 7/8" (21 mm) wrench to keep camshaft(s) from turning, remove camshaft sprocket bolt(s). Remove camshaft sprocket(s).