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Help getting Timing chain cover off

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by cresentfresh, Jul 4, 2025.

  1. Jul 4, 2025 at 6:21 PM
    #1
    cresentfresh

    cresentfresh [OP] Member

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    '99 2wd tacoma sr5
    K&N drop in filter and 1 inch lowering blocks
    Finally stated working on replacing my timing chain on my 1999 2wd 2rz with 280k. I've got all the bolts out including the two bolts that run down inside the valve cover. I just can't get it to budge. Any tips? Is there pry point areas that are safe
     
  2. Jul 4, 2025 at 6:48 PM
    #2
    noodles93

    noodles93 Well-Known Member

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    Did you drop the oil pan out too and remove the stuff down there? Got any pictures of it?
     
  3. Jul 4, 2025 at 7:27 PM
    #3
    cresentfresh

    cresentfresh [OP] Member

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    K&N drop in filter and 1 inch lowering blocks
    I did remove the oil pan and removed the pick up tube. Im thinking it's just stuck on from never being removed before. Two of the cover bolts were actually missing
     
  4. Jul 5, 2025 at 5:15 AM
    #4
    noodles93

    noodles93 Well-Known Member

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    On my 3rz getting the cover off was a pain as well. Once all the bolts were removed I started hammering in plastic wedges along the timing cover/block. It eventually broke free.
     
  5. Jul 5, 2025 at 9:23 AM
    #5
    cresentfresh

    cresentfresh [OP] Member

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    K&N drop in filter and 1 inch lowering blocks
    I'll gave the tappy tap a shot. I tripled checked for all the bolts again just to make sure I didn't miss something. Being on there so tight I'm concerned about tearing the head gasket
     
  6. Jul 5, 2025 at 9:25 AM
    #6
    HondaGM

    HondaGM Call sign Monke

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    Welcome to TW…
     
  7. Jul 5, 2025 at 9:28 AM
    #7
    cresentfresh

    cresentfresh [OP] Member

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    '99 2wd tacoma sr5
    K&N drop in filter and 1 inch lowering blocks
    Thank you. Always had some type of toyota since 1996. Dad had a '94 pickup and I picked up this '99 8yrs ago with 220k on it. Just now starting to show a few issues. Used to working on 90's honda's. Judging by your name you seem to know them well :p
     
  8. Jul 5, 2025 at 9:30 AM
    #8
    slater

    slater Well-Known Member

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    If its siliconed on, I always get a prybar in there & carefully pry the cover loose while not bending anything...
    maybe place prybar between cam gear & TC...
    or corner of head & TC,
    I have no idea what it looks like...
    but you need to break the adhesion seal of the silicone if its what seals the entire cover, theyre glued on really good....
     
  9. Jul 5, 2025 at 9:32 AM
    #9
    noodles93

    noodles93 Well-Known Member

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    So when I tapped my timing cover off it did take a little bit of the headgasket with it. Wasn't any problem, been 3 years and its still fine.
     
  10. Jul 5, 2025 at 10:44 AM
    #10
    cresentfresh

    cresentfresh [OP] Member

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    K&N drop in filter and 1 inch lowering blocks
    I got her off guys. Pry method worked just when I was about ready to give up I gave it one more good UGGA then she cracked off. Thanks guys.
     
    joeyv141 and ControlCar like this.
  11. Jul 5, 2025 at 10:57 AM
    #11
    slater

    slater Well-Known Member

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    :thumbsup:
     
  12. Jul 5, 2025 at 5:51 PM
    #12
    ControlCar

    ControlCar My Moto: Help & Learn…period.

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    Clock Volt meter/LSPV Delete/Hyundai 16’s/FP gauge/after 9months of wrenching ZERO oil leaks
    Congrats!!!!

    BIG job.
    Took me 4 days of slow methodical work
     
  13. Jul 5, 2025 at 7:58 PM
    #13
    cresentfresh

    cresentfresh [OP] Member

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    K&N drop in filter and 1 inch lowering blocks
    Ya I installed the LCE engineering timing belt kit along with water pump. Still need to button up a few things and order a gasket for the bypass water joint
     

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