Timing Cover Shortcuts???

[Larry's shee]

94 ,4.0 .Need to replace gasket on timing cover for sure (leakin coolant out, maybe in). Chilton's says you have to remove/loosen oil pan. How much do you loosen it , and if you just loosen it won't you have an oil leak later? I know there are two bolts thru pan to cover. Any tips/help would be great!! Thank you!!

 

[Angie]

You definately have to take out the front bolts from the pan because the timing chain cover is attatched to the pan. now keep in mind that when this comes apart you have the options of busting the gaskets for the oil pan. so this is to be done with great care if you are not taking the pan right off. yes it can be done with out taking off the oil pan, only do it with kid gloves thou. If you opt to not take the pan off take out the bolts that are holding the pan to the cover. there is no other way they have to be removed.


for this leak are you sure it isnt the water pump (gasket) and not the timing chain gaskets?

 

[Larry's shee]

Yeah about 98.77% sure, haha. Job now sounds about 98.77% easier than it did after reading Chilton's and searching thru 22 pages of search results. Sounds simmular to an old Pontiac V-8. Reason I said possibly leaking in cause when I checked oil other day it looked a little milky. Have read about intake gaskets also. This is son's rig (Larry), about 140K. if I'm lucky maybe they have already been changed. Will be checking tork on manifold bolts also tomorrow (Sat). I knew sombody would have an answer for me!! Thank you very much!! Will post on completion.

 

[Larry's shee]

Still working on it, not much time with work and holidays. No excuse this weekend, lol. Oh, it's cold out, lol!! Got heavy coveralls. BTW cover came off easy, harmonic bal was pia till I realized it was smaller than crank lol , pushing AND pulling with puller. Anyhow gasket was hard and questionable looking around both water passages from cover to block. hope this cures problem.

 

[BRUTUS_T_HOG]

i just take out the front bolts of the oil pan that screw into the timing cover. the timing cover gasket set comes with a new "trim to fit" gasket that you can silicone to the old gasket. i've done this at least 10 times without problems on 3.0l, 4.0l, 5.0l, and 5.8l fords