Condenser and radiator out, doing timing belt, but need help with.....

[clydesdale]

I need to replace the condensor and it was time for a timing belt change. BUT, my front engine cover leaks and I many have a head gasket leak.
1st, how hard is it to change the front engine cover seal, keeping in mind the condensor and radiator are out and I can see the front of the motor through the grille.
2nd, my coolant is a little dark, likely has some oil in it and crack the electrodes off of one of the spark plugs every 10-12k miles. This has been happing for the past 25k miles. I believe there is a head gasket leak. How much work and time am I looking at given where I am right now? Thanks.

[jlevie]

The olny difficult part of replacing the seals in the lower timing cover is removing the crank bolt. For that you need a crank hub tool or a 600ft-lb impact wrench.

The coolant being dark could be oil, or something else. Before condeming the head gasket, do a through flush of the cooling system (using flush compoud). Then see what happens.

[clydesdale]

Where would I get a crank hub tool? Or would buying a new gun be more cost effective and useful later?

[jlevie]

BavAuto (and other places) have the crank tool. I've had marginal success with my 1/2" drive impact wrench (rated for 450ft-lb), but my 850ft-lb 3/4" impact wrench works every time. Seeing as how a quality 3/4" impact wrench costs north of $500 and the tool is $50, I'd say that the tool is the way to go.

[clydesdale]

You are helping me a ton sir. I sincerely thank you. Two jobs and a father of 3 under 8 years old, you are saving me a lot of time and helping me develop a battle plan. Thanks.

[ForcedFirebird]

If you are crafty, you can make your own tool. I just spray painted the crank pulley n a pce of aluminum (steel will work) to mark the holes, drilled them out and used a band saw to cut the shape (jigsaw would work on aluminum too)...

[clydesdale]

How does the tool actually work? I was wondering if this was a situation where you could bump it with the starter to loosen it.

[ForcedFirebird]

starter is no where near strong enough, sorry bud :(

You would use this tool, bolt it to the hub, rest it against the frame of the car, and use a 1/2" (minimum) breaker bar about 4' long.

[Kershaw]

starter will take the entire crankshaft bolt out.

ask me how i know.

[nando]

starter will take the entire crankshaft bolt out.

ask me how i know.

your bolt must have been loose. there's no way it puts out the 300+ft/lbs required.

[Dagamus(NM)]

I'm sure it is great for the starter too. Making the tool is the way to go.

You can buy the tool if time is worth more than money. You could take a long thick piece of mild steel and drill two holes with a drill press, you may have to grind a notch in the edge to clear the center. Odds are you will strip the threads on the bolts this way but if you have some extras then who cares.

[ForcedFirebird]

your bolt must have been loose. there's no way it puts out the 300+ft/lbs required.

x2

[clydesdale]

I had used the starter method on other cars, but the uk e30zone guys suggested the starter. But, if you guys think that is bad, I can try making the tool or purchasing it.

[clydesdale]

Kershaw, don't I want to remove the entire crankshaft bolt?

[nando]

I had used the starter method on other cars, but the uk e30zone guys suggested the starter. But, if you guys think that is bad, I can try making the tool or purchasing it.

it won't work, unless your crank bolt was already loose. I tried it, too.