Upper Timing belt cover bolt stuck

[Bladed]

Trying to remove my upper time belt cover and the bolt is impossible to get a grip on any tips on how to get it out?

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[pauleyman]

I'm kinda confused. Is it rounded? Put a wrench on it? Nothing looks odd to me.

 

[1990TSIAWDTALON]

An open end wrench looks like the correct tool.

 

[Bladed]

I'm kinda confused. Is it rounded? Put a wrench on it? Nothing looks odd to me.

Can’t seem to fit anything back there it’s in a really awkward spot

An open end wrench looks like the correct tool.

Tried but can’t get a grip on it because of the timing cover in the way

 

[danl]

I don’t mean to be a jerk, but if this bolt is causing you trouble, that is your clue to hire a professional to do whatever it is you need doing.

 

[Bladed]

I don’t mean to be a jerk, but if this bolt is causing you trouble, that is your clue to hire a professional to do whatever it is you need doing.

Still learning, just need to run to the store for a couple sockets and I’m waiting on a service manual. Thanks for the help though

 

[99dsmer4g63]

10 mm wrench or sometimes I use 1/4 ratchet with 10mm deep well. You just need to take the bolt off on the side closest to you. The nut is secured to the inner timing cover and shouldn’t spin or fall off.

Why are you taking it off anyways just curious?

-Daniel

 

[Bladed]

10 mm wrench or sometimes I use 1/4 ratchet with 10mm deep well. You just need to take the bolt off on the side closest to you. The nut is secured to the inner timing cover and shouldn’t spin or fall off.

Why are you taking it off anyways just curious?

-Daniel

Trying to remove the timing belt before taking off the head, I tried using a 10mm on that bolt but the bolt just spins and won’t actually unscrew

 

[chrisman287]

1/4 ratchet and a 10mm socket..

 

[Bladed]

1/4 ratchet and a 10mm socket..

the bolt won't unscrew just spins in place

 

[Dericsh]

the bolt won't unscrew just spins in place

OK, that’s not normal, you’re gonna have to find a way to get a wrench or vice grip or something on the backside to hold that square nut while you turn the bolt from the front.

 

[pauleyman]

OK, that’s not normal, you’re gonna have to find a way to get a wrench or vice grip or something on the backside to hold that square nut while you turn the bolt from the front.

Assuming that nut is spinning. If not is it stripped? Give us the whole story. This shouldn't be that hard.

 

[Bladed]

Assuming that nut is spinning. If not is it stripped? Give us the whole story. This shouldn't be that hard.

bolt spins but won't unscrew, nut stays in place, cant grip the nut with anything because theres no space

 

[pauleyman]

If nut stays in place no reason to grip it. Sounds like nut is stripped. You may have to cut the assembly off and sacrifice the cover.

 

[Dericsh]

You’re right, I don’t know why I went straight to imagining the entire thing spinning. What about just using a pry bar or long screw driver to put some pressure on the back of the bolt while turning it from the front?

 

[pauleyman]

If you're able to spin the bolt wedge something between the cover and nut and try to get it to spin out. Stubby screwdriver etc.

You’re right, I don’t know why I went straight to imagining the entire thing spinning. What about just using a pry bar or long screw driver to put some pressure on the back of the bolt while turning it from the front?

This is good advice also

 

[99dsmer4g63]

If the nut is not spinning then applying pressure to the backside of the bolt is your best option. I have had the nut shear off of the inner cover before and just spin.

I’m not telling you what to do but you may want to step back and make sure to have the tools and skill to remove the timing belt before doing so I understand everybody starts somewhere and hands on is the best way to learn. However removing that cover is step one and is the easiest part. More tools and much more skill will be needed as the job continues.

Having a good selection of tools to use and buying the specific tools for the job can help too. Just don’t want you to get in too deep and be stuck with your car half torn apart.

-Daniel

 

[Bladed]

If the nut is not spinning then applying pressure to the backside of the bolt is your best option. I have had the nut shear off of the inner cover before and just spin.

I’m not telling you what to do but you may want to step back and make sure to have the tools and skill to remove the timing belt before doing so I understand everybody starts somewhere and hands on is the best way to learn. However removing that cover is step one and is the easiest part. More tools and much more skill will be needed as the job continues.

Having a good selection of tools to use and buying the specific tools for the job can help too. Just don’t want you to get in too deep and be stuck with your car half torn apart.

-Daniel

noted I'll definitely make a checklist and see what extra tools i might need, right now I'm just trying to get the timing belt and turbo off so I can do a head removal, is doing a balance shaft removal during this a good idea or should I just leave it be, the belt is new so i'm not exactly worried about it snapping

 

[99dsmer4g63]

If the bottom end of the motor is staying in the car and your not opening it up for any reason I would just leave them in until you do a full engine removal and have the motor built or refreshed.

If the belt is new and tensioned properly and you’re not making high revs or power it’s bot something I would worry about. Idk what your goals are currently though.

-Daniel

 

[Dericsh]

If the bottom end of the motor is staying in the car and your not opening it up for any reason I would just leave them in until you do a full engine removal and have the motor built or refreshed.

If the belt is new and tensioned properly and you’re not making high revs or power it’s bot something I would worry about. Idk what your goals are currently though.

-Daniel

Agreed

 

[pauleyman]

If the bottom end of the motor is staying in the car and your not opening it up for any reason I would just leave them in until you do a full engine removal and have the motor built or refreshed.

If the belt is new and tensioned properly and you’re not making high revs or power it’s bot something I would worry about. Idk what your goals are currently though.

-Daniel

I agree also. Sounds like this is your first job of this magnitude.