IMS screw up. Please HELP!!!

[mmasse]

I am in the middle of a RMS and clutch job. I decided to replace the IMS cover/seal as well since it was showing signs of leaking. I took the cover off and it surprised me that the bearing did not seem to be centered in the hole. I tried to install the new cover but it was not possible becasue it will not fit, due to the bolt not being centered (pls, see pic).
I tried to push the bolt (and the whole bearing) so it will go to the center, and then the bolt got loose and the fall to the inside of the engine. it did not fall completely, but it is loose>

So, how much of a screw up is this? Why is the bearing not centered? How do I fit the bolt back in the middle of the bearing?


thanks in advacne for your help

[Emery G.]

Ok all is not lost. When you pulled the intermediate plate of did you remove the tensioners first?
if not then you should do that now. Do you think that the shaft moved in the hole enought to jump a tooth on the chain. in other words in the picture you posted it looks like it only moved a little bit. if it has not moved any further than that then you sould be ok.
There are two ways to go about retrieving you lost bolt. either you can use a magnet an pull it back through or you can remove the large circlip and pull the bearings out and reinstall it after. if you pull the bearings then it would be a good time to check there condition.

[mmasse]

Thanks Emery.

I don't think it has move enough to jump a tooth. Sorry, for asking this but how do I remove the tensioners on this engine?

The bolt has not fall completely inside. Actually the pic was taking after it got loose. What O dont know is to to make the center of the bearing to fir snug again. but, i guess once I center the bearing the center nut on the cover will do the job, right?

Thanks again

[Emery G.]

there are two tensioners you want to pull out. while looking at the flywheel end of the motor one is located on the right side of the engine sticking staight up on the botoom of the head
the other is on the left side going into the engine at a 9 oclock angle both are at the rear of the engine(flywheel side) and both are 32mm bolt heads.

[mmasse]

Ok, now i know which are those. Do I have to take them out or just loose them. I think I recall someone saying that you are not suppose to take them completely out.

thanks again

[Emery G.]

no its no problem to take them out all the way.

[mmasse]

Great, I did it an the bearing came right in the middle! Now, for the center support I just pull it with the center nut, right?

THANKS A LOT!!

[Emery G.]

yeah just pull it tight and the i would start the center nut to line everything up then use the three bolts to bring it home.

[mmasse]

thanks, Emery. I have finished to installed the IMS following your instructions, it was very easy. Now, I posted the same question on Rennlist and some guys commented that it was needed to lock the crankshaft before releasing the tensioners, otherwise you

"run a huge risk of the engine jumping out of time. Without the tension of the chains holding the cams, the valve springs may cause the cams to turn in any direction if the tension is released. "

Is there a not-too-complicate way to check if the timing has been changed
thanks a lot

[Emery G.]

yeah the best way to check is to remove to green plugs on the ends of the cam housings (valve cover to cylinder head) driver side bank 2 the plugs are on the left rear of the motor
passenger side bank 1 the plugs are on the rear of the motor(flywheel side)
if you lock the crank in to top dead there are cutouts on the ends of the camshafts that should end up in alignment in a verticle position these cutouts for a half moon shap and one "moon" in smaller then the other to small side should be in on the crankshaft side. if that is the case then rotate the engine 180 and check the other side. as long as the two cams are in alignment all should be good.

[mmasse]

could you explain a bit more how to identify these plugs? how do they look like?
not sure, I understand how the marks should aligned. On top deade center the marks on the cams should be vertical...on both cams?

thanks

[Emery G.]

the plugs are green rubber about the size of a half dollar. what year is the engine?

[mmasse]

Emery, I found them, but how do i get them out? Can I do this with the engine on the car?

The lower one, in particular, looks like mission impossible.

Thanks agains for you help

[Emery G.]

take a pick and poke it through the center of the plug this will ruin them so you will need to get new ones

[mmasse]

Great, thanks