Cloudrnnr
Probationary Member
- 3
- 0
- Jan 19, 2006
-
Montgomery,
Alabama
I would have posted this in short blocks...but since I am a newbie to this forum, here goes--its a bit long so bear with me.
I just bought a 97 Talon TSi AWD with 85K on the clock. The car had an oil leak I needed to track down. In the past I've done timing belts on a 91, so I felt capable.
After pulling the timing covers, I ran the engine briefly to identify the leak source. The front bolt securing the hydraulic tensioner was not torqued properly and was letting oil leak past. Tightened the bolt, no more leak. Now for the problem. There is a hairline crack on the front case where the stanchion for the bolt is cast. It is exactly in the elbow of the casting, running up the bolt stanchion casting, but only for approximately 1/4 of an inch. It is entirely in the web of the casting--doesn't get down onto the thinner part of the case at all. There is no leak from the crack, and the bolt is holding the recommended torque. Eventually, I plan to remove the balance shafts, as well as a fresh water pump and timing belt (less than 30K on the belt at the moment).
I am military, and will be moving in a couple of months. In the interval, I have several TDY trips that will take me away from home. I need opinions on whether I'm safe to button her up and minimize driving the car until I can get to the new location and tear into her again for the timing job, water pump, cam seals, BS elimination and new front case.
First, general location:
Next, a closeup of the crack. You can see by the size of the tooth on the BS belt, it isn't large.
I just bought a 97 Talon TSi AWD with 85K on the clock. The car had an oil leak I needed to track down. In the past I've done timing belts on a 91, so I felt capable.
After pulling the timing covers, I ran the engine briefly to identify the leak source. The front bolt securing the hydraulic tensioner was not torqued properly and was letting oil leak past. Tightened the bolt, no more leak. Now for the problem. There is a hairline crack on the front case where the stanchion for the bolt is cast. It is exactly in the elbow of the casting, running up the bolt stanchion casting, but only for approximately 1/4 of an inch. It is entirely in the web of the casting--doesn't get down onto the thinner part of the case at all. There is no leak from the crack, and the bolt is holding the recommended torque. Eventually, I plan to remove the balance shafts, as well as a fresh water pump and timing belt (less than 30K on the belt at the moment).
I am military, and will be moving in a couple of months. In the interval, I have several TDY trips that will take me away from home. I need opinions on whether I'm safe to button her up and minimize driving the car until I can get to the new location and tear into her again for the timing job, water pump, cam seals, BS elimination and new front case.
First, general location:
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Next, a closeup of the crack. You can see by the size of the tooth on the BS belt, it isn't large.
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