We all knew it was coming...

My TB has the updated tensioner already installed (good news, at least I know it's been done once before) but I can't for the life of me figure out how to compress it so I can get the damn belt out. Anyone have a quick tip for this?

Also, I appear to be having a difficult time getting the fan off, which is very much in the way of the water pump. I thought it would be as simple as remover the 4 bolts and it would come off. That does not appear to be the case at all...

TIA...

 

I think the fan bolts are reverse threaded. You are doing the belt and tensioner right? Just unbolt it and pull it out. You don't want to reuse the tensioner. It should be replaced every timing belt change. The piston in the tensioner is not meant to be compressed again after the pin has been pulled when it was new.

 

Yeah, that's what I ended up doing (pulling the little bolt out) and it all came right off.

I was able to get the little bolts off the fan (normal threaded) but the fan blade itself wouldn't come off, and it's made out of plastic, so I don't want to try and force it.

I'm done for tonight. I got the camshaft seal replaced, and I was about to start on the crankshaft seal when it started getting dark, and I didn't feel like setting up lights. I was having a small problem with removing the crankshaft bolt. I could only fit the special tool in one position, but it wouldn't hold against anything. I wedge something between to tool, and something solid, but I was afraid to put too much torque on the bolt for fear the wedge would slip and I would turn the crankshaft too much and hit a valve.

Oh well, a good night sleep and I'll be back at it tomorrow. It's definitely a learning experience. It didn't help that the TB kit wasn't delivered until about 2 hours ago!

 

do not try to force that fan blade off!! I have broken two doing the TB on my 2.8 in my time, as you said, they are EZ to break....