how do you remove the lower timing cover - m20

[rossmc88]

how do you remove the lower timing cover on an m20 so i can fit my new timing belt?

ive got it stripped back to this point



i hope i dont have to remove the crank bolt as the engine is out of the car

if ive got to remove the crank bolt im going to just buy a new car, taking the crank bolt off my impreza was horrendous, ive never fully recovered lol

thanks
ross

[Supafly]

You should be good to go from where you are, I did mine about a year ago and I'm sure you can put the belt on from that position.

[rossmc88]

Did you just slide the belt through the gap without taking the cover off?

[Supafly]

here you go, this should help

http://www.pelicanparts.com/bmw/techart ... g-Belt.htm

Thank you pelican parts, certainly helped me when I was doing mine.

[TouringTash]

just give the pully a tap and it comes off

Have you bought a new water pump? Its worth replacing if you have not got one.

[Supafly]

From what I can remember that was all very uneventful and easy. I'm sure it fits easily through the gap.

TouringTash is right, it's very easy to replace the waterpump while you're there, I did mine for peace of mind. I also changed the oil seal behind the cam pulley as mine was just starting to leak.

I also remember reading that there may be two types of tensioner, make sure you have the correct one, can't remember what it was but a quick search should see you right.

[e30topless]

you can fit the belt as it is , but...

if I was at that point in an engine strip down I would remove the bolt and housing and replace the seal behind it

[rossmc88]

Yeah id replace the seal of i was able to get the cover off but it seems to be stuck and can't get past the flange bit that's around the crank nut

[aeberbach]

Do the water pump. You can think of it as wasting a small amount of money now, or saving 3 hours a couple of months from now.

[daimlerman]

Do the water pump. You can think of it as wasting a small amount of money now, or saving 3 hours a couple of months from now.

I had to swap a waterpump within 3 months of fitting the engine to my cabbie! I blamed it being sat idle without coolant for a few weeks.

Only way you will get that crankbolt out with the engine on the garage floor will be to hold it firmly with something like a forklift truck!That crank bolt is tightened to 400+ft.lb.

[rossmc88]

Do the water pump. You can think of it as wasting a small amount of money now, or saving 3 hours a couple of months from now.

I'm not short sighted and I'm replacing the water pump now, this job is costing no where near a small amount of money, sitting at about £600 in parts at the moment!

[rossmc88]

Do the water pump. You can think of it as wasting a small amount of money now, or saving 3 hours a couple of months from now.

I had to swap a waterpump within 3 months of fitting the engine to my cabbie! I blamed it being sat idle without coolant for a few weeks.

Only way you will get that crankbolt out with the engine on the garage floor will be to hold it firmly with something like a forklift truck!That crank bolt is tightened to 400+ft.lb.

Yeah that what I was thinking, so would be great to know if I can get the lower timing case off to replace the gasket behind it, I've had another look and I am able to get the belt through the gap with out taking it off, but I have disturbed it now trying to take it off, so I really want to replace the gasket

[e30topless]

you will need to remove the nut, not an easy task at all !

I have done this a few different ways.. the easiest way I find is to lock the flywheel I used a 1 metre piece of steel bar and bolted through 2 of the clutch pressure plate bolts I pointed the long end to the floor using that as leverage, then a freind balanced the engine while I undid the the nut with a large breaker bar,

the metal ring which the bottom pulley bolts to should drift off with a mallet of maybe a hub puller ?

then you can get to the seal

[m_jermyn]

You have to take the pulley off from memory and then it unbolts.... Best to do with the rad out... And while your there change the water pump.. Sorry didnt read whole thread so this might of already been covered..

Mike

[rossmc88]

Ive got the pully off, its just getting the lower timing case past the crank nut and flange I'm having problems with