Does the oil pan HAVE to come off in order to get the timing chain cover entirely off? I've got EVERY bolt off...I've checked 3x. All bolts to the LEFT of the front valve cover are off.....

Is the gasket connecting the oil pan to the block kicking my as.s or did I miss something?

 

YES!!!!!! you MUST take off the oil pan, there are two pretty big bolts under there to remove the timing chain cover. Trust me i broke the time chain cover trying to take it off, it is not a cheap part either

 

You only have to take off the lower oil pan to get those bolts. Piece of cake after what you went through to get all the screws out of the cover.

 

hmm, i guess japs really know how to seal an oil pan...I've tried everything

 

Once you get all the oil pan bolts off, you may have to whack it with a mallet to break the seal.

 

Been there done that got the t-shirt. I'll see what else I can pry in btwn the gap...

 

damn, didnt know you had to remove the oil pan as well, I guess this is a job best to do when an oil change is comming around.

regular oil pan sealant from an auto store will work when putting back together?

 

It's sealed on from the factory with RTV sealant. Takes a little persasion to get off but once you break the seal it should come right off. Make sure all surfaces are oil free when you put it back together. Yes any auto parts store will carry RTV(silicone) sealer.

 

http://www1.autozone.com/servlet/UiB...3d801f49a8.jsp

 

sweet, so the whole piece that comes off look like


I know thats the mounting bracket for a sueper charger for the max but thats what the side cover looks like when it comes off? or it a smaller piece?

just getting clarification for when I do mine as well.

 

Wow... awesome timing with your post. I am at the same place as you right now and while the top part of the cover was opening... the bottom wouldn't budge. After dinner I'm going to try this and hopefully it will be what I need.

Why are you taking your timing chain cover off? Also how easy was getting the crankshaft pulley bolt off?

Good luck... I'd say use a razor to puncture all around the rtv to at least reduce some of the suction and double check to see if each screw is out.

 

If you follow the autozone link posted a coupe posts up... scroll down a little and you will see a drawing of what the timing chain cover looks like removed.

Paul