Hi All,

I've recently come to own my first Montero. It is a 99 with the 3.5L SOHC 6G74. It has 96,000 miles on the original timing belt. Shortly I'm going to be changing the water pump, timing belt, tensioner, tensioner pulley and idler pulley. I've noticed that when several of you have changed your timing belts you also changed the cam and crank seals.

Was this done as preventative maintenance since you were "in there" or did you have an oil leak?

Is the collective wisdom of the forum to change the cam and crank seals at the same time as changing the timing belt? What about the thermostat? Any other items I should change out since I'm "in there"?

The 98 manual states that the radiator and coolant needs to be removed for the timing belt while the 99-02 manual states for the 99 engine just cooling fan and the coolant needs to be removed.

Do you all remove the coolant and the radiator or just the fan and the upper radiator hose?

Thanks for taking the time to respond to my new guy questions,

Clem

Preventative is alway better than doing it because of a problem. During my first timing belt job, it was done because of an oil leak. Next time I'll be doing it for preventative maintenance.


Yes and definitely.

Waterpump and associated gaskets/o-rings.


I don't think you need to remove the radiator but definitely have to remove the cooling fan. Removing the radiator does make it easier to access everything though.

HTH <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Remove the radiator. A few extra steps will save your arms and hands getting all chewed up. TRUST me on this one. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I still have scars.... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/baby.gif" alt="" />

X2 Remove the radiator.

You'll have 160k before you do this work again. Unless maybe you're a high miles driver and will be in there again in a couple of years, I'd change the t-belt pulleys/idler and the tensioner.

3X on the oil seals...

Make it easy to do a good job- get the $15 tool to pre-tension the tensioner pulley. I've done it both ways, no comparison to having it.

Hi All,

Thanks for your opinions...Radiator out, cam and crank seals in. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Do I need any special tools get to or set the seals? I think I read somewhere I need a 22mm socket for the crank. Is that correct? Does it matter 6 or 12 point deep or shallow socket?

I ordered the $15 special tool on eBay to set the pretension on the pulley.

I'll be ordering parts this week. Probably from Rockauto like Grasscat did.

Thanks,

Clem

I always try to use 6-point sockets for everything. My $.02.

John B.

For the oils seals, most use some mix of big sockets and/or PVC couplings. You need to match the diameter of the seal so you can tap it in evenly. Don't forget the grease on the backside to help hold the spring in place.

Agree with JB, always 6-points, unless I need the additional rotating placement "flexibility" of a 12-point.

Do you have your crank holder tool made?

I'll need to get the 22mm six-point socket and the crank holder tool. When the seals come in I'll try to match them to some PVC fittings or sockets I have or head to the hardware store. Do you remember off-hand what size PVC or sockets work?

Thank you,

Clem