Timing chain cover

[kwhauck]

How important is the timing chain cover? Working on my dad's 1993 festiva, never worked on a 4cyl before, he's got a bad leak to where the engine bay gets soaked on long trips. I was thinking it was the valve cover gasket but noticed the timing chain cover had a wear hole when I was taking it apart.

Thanks, Kyle

[bravekozak]

Is your leak at the crankshaft seal?

[db2u]

Timing chain cover should not have oil behind it if that is what you are thinking caused the oil leak. The cover just keeps the oil and grime off of the belt.

[skeeters_keeper]

There is no timing chain cover - it's a timing belt.

I've often left the upper timing belt cover off - but if you plan to drive on dirty/gravel roads a lot it may be a good idea to leave it. If there is oil inside the timing belt cover it is either the front crank seal or cam seal.

[kwhauck]

Front crank seal or cam seal huh? Ok, thanks. Those hard to do? I've always worked on v6s or v8s with OHV......

[kwhauck]

Well its looks like my dad says he doesn't care if it leaks oil, he just wants the thermostat replaced and put back together! Thanks for the quick responses guys!! Awesome community!

[bravekozak]

Be careful not to crack the thermostat cover. Make sure the thermostat is in place and does not slip out before you torque on the bolts.

[nitrofarm]

Well its looks like my dad says he doesn't care if it leaks oil, he just wants the thermostat replaced and put back together! Thanks for the quick responses guys!! Awesome community!

Dont let your Dad convince you not to fix the oil leak. Heres what happens on these cars. The Crank seal is 25 years old and as Hard as Ron Jeremy on Viagra. It will cut a groove in your crank and leak.(If your lucky it hasnt done this yet). Because it spins, it slings oil at highway speeds. Then this oil migrates right down into your Alternator. Then yoru family member calls you and says I'm stranded in the dark with no power (Dead Battery) and the Highway Patrol wants to tow the car. You now have to get an air tank,nozzle & brake cleaner to the car.Clean off the Alt blow dry it & jump start it. Then hope it still puts out power. Or you bring a new Alt and R&R it on the side of the road. Either way he's gonna call you from the side of the road. Nothing magical here just oil getting into the most important accessory on your engine ruining my day. :thumbs_up:

[Spike]

The Crank seal is 25 years old and as Hard as Ron Jeremy on Viagra.

That poor crank seal. Imagine being like that 24hrs/day, 7 days/week.

You'd leak oil, too!

[denguy]

Might the oil be running down from a hardened, shrunken, and leaky valve cover gasket? It's pretty easy to replace.

[TominMO]

How important is the timing chain cover? Working on my dad's 1993 festiva, never worked on a 4cyl before, he's got a bad leak to where the engine bay gets soaked on long trips. I was thinking it was the valve cover gasket but noticed the timing chain cover had a wear hole when I was taking it apart.

You can cut away the belt cover where it is wearing. My own upper cover is very minimal, so I can work on the car more easily.

[bravekozak]

Just order new timing belt covers from Four Green. Just zoom in for the part numbers. Order both of them. They are cheap.

[drddan]

Oh, just replace the seals, already! Easy!

They pop out and tap back in.
You will however, have to remove, T cover, timing belt, and crank sprocket, for the crank seal. Then put it all back together like it was.
Dothe VC gasket as well.
And as stated by bravekosak above, make sure the thermostat stays in the recessed area when bolting the housing back on.
A small dab of superglue or gasket sealer at the top will keep it place while you bolt it down
The glue sets faster, but I like the use of sealer.

I run mine without the upper cover, never have had problem.

[TominMO]

I run mine without the upper cover, never have had problem.

Just don't bend over to check something while (a) the engine is running and (b) wearing a necktie.