Timing cover removal help please

[MattratfTSI]

Son of a... I just dropped a valve cover bolt down into the timing cover. I heard in clank down past the cam gears and now im thinking the only thing to do is to take the timing cover off to get the damn bolt out. whats the best way? thanks

 

[thatblondechik]

Unscrew it. Usualy works pretty well.

Just take the pulley covers off behind the drivers side wheel and hunt around for it.

 

[chico904]

If its inside the lower timing belt cover now, either get a long bendable "claw grabber" (the kind where you push the top of it, and a claw extends) or get an extendable magnet. They will come in handy on our engines that were designed for some sort of elf hands.

 

[JusMX141]

The tolerances inside those timing covers are tight. I would expect it to be difficult to snake a bolt out- especially if you don't know where the bolt went. You may kill hours trying to get it out with a grabber or a magnet, when you could loosen the cover and get the bolt out for sure in a half hour.

A similar thing happened recently when I dropped one of the plastic fuel rail spacers down behind the block on my buddy's car. It somehow wedged itself between the block and the a/c compressor bracket. I jacked around with one of those grabbers for at LEAST 45 minutes without success....it only pushed the spacer deeper. I ended up removing the bracket to get the spacer out, which took around 30 minutes. Had I just removed the bracket from the get-go, the problem would've been solved.

I'm not much for wasting time trying to beat around getting the job done right. Everytime something ridiculous happens, I stop and think how long it may take me to take the shortcut, what the chances of the shortcut actually working would be, and weigh those against the time it would take to do the job right. The latter normally wins.

 

[cheap90gsx]

^I agree, i would just take the cover off. once you've taken it off once it wont be as hard the next time.

 

[MattratfTSI]

well I guess this is a good time to learn how to take the cover off then. So I dont have to get that drivers side motor mount loose first?

 

[one_bad_7]

to take it off i removed my motor mount. with the engine the bay its tricky to get that cover out (at least i tohugh so). if i remeber to take it off theres a pully or so that needs to come off also

 

[JusMX141]

Removing the motor mount is simple. You don't even need to support the engine- the bolts will come out easily without binding. You'd be surprised how much additional room there will be once the motor mount is missing!

The other thing you'll have to cope with is removing the water pump pulley. It's not a difficult job, but the situation makes it difficult. The bolt heads are a good 3/4" from the car's body at any given point, and if you remove all of the accessory belts first there's no way you'll get the water pump pulley bolts out.

Take your time, do everything in steps, and don't get impatient.

Hell once you're in there, you're only about 30 minutes away from a completed timing belt change....if it's been a while, that's something you may want to consider!

 

[MattratfTSI]

well I just got into taking off the timing cover (starting at the bottom hoping that if i just pull it back a bit that the bolt will sitting at the bottom and fall out) and it looks like the crank pully needs to come off? the only thing mentioned above was the water pump pully so does the crank pully really need to be removed or am I doing something wrong? man I feel dumb but this is my first time doing this and thats why im a noob. thanks fellas

 

[-TunedDSM-]

Yes you need to take off the crank pulley to remove the lower timing cover.

 

[dikdiamond]

Getting ready to take off my water and crank pulleys 'cause my dumba$$ dropped a bolt into the lower timing cover...Jusmx141 said to just take off the drivers side motor mount,shouldn't I support the oil pan with a jack as well? I'm off to buy replacement power steering and alternator belts,time to change'em anyway. I just don't want to take off the mount blindly,but if there is no need for the jack then I won't worry about it. Anyone else wanna chime in?

 

[Kastigir]

Getting ready to take off my water and crank pulleys 'cause my dumba$$ dropped a bolt into the lower timing cover...Jusmx141 said to just take off the drivers side motor mount,shouldn't I support the oil pan with a jack as well? I'm off to buy replacement power steering and alternator belts,time to change'em anyway. I just don't want to take off the mount blindly,but if there is no need for the jack then I won't worry about it. Anyone else wanna chime in?

The other 3 mounts are perfectly capable of holding up the engine.

 

[dikdiamond]

Thanks for confirming I'm going into unknown territory,I've never done it before and just needed some reassurance,thanks!

 

[123eclipz]

or get an extendable magnet.

thats what i was thinking of myself. i hate that to when you drop something.

 

[Boot92]

I've Always just put a jack or block under the oil pan when i take that mount out because its easier on the mounts and in the few months of owing a DSM making short cuts is a big no no.

BUT that's my opinion, do what you feel most comfortable with.

 

[dikdiamond]

...making short cuts is a big no no.

Too true,I used a jack and block of wood for extra safety. Can't break the crank pulley bolts loose so I'm done for the day. I'm starting to get pi$$ed off,time for a cold one