Help on Camshaft Seals/Timing Belt 3.4 V6?

I am about to change the timing belt on my 99 Taco V6 with Auto Tranny and Tow Pkg. I have looked at a number of the "how to's" on this site. I have ordered a complete kit including all seals, including camshaft seals.

I am wondering if I have to pull the valve covers in order to loosen the camshaft sprockets to get to the seals.

I understand there is a wrench fitting on the cams INSIDE of the cover. The belt is broken, so it is no help. I suppose I could put the new one on temporarily, but not sure that would help anyway. Hate to pull the plenum and all to get the valve cover, but I'll do what I gotta do. I plan to use the old "breaker bar against a frame piece and hit the starter" method of loosening the crank bolt.

I have changed timing belts on a V6 before, but not on this truck.

Any guidance suggestions GREATLY appreciated.

Thanx!!!!

 

Not sure if this you have found these how to's or not. But they have helped me with other jobs on my tacoma pretty good.

http://www.4x4wire.com/toyota/maintenance/timing_belt/

http://www.lieblweb.com/waterpump.html

 

I saw both of those, and they are great. Unfortunately, the one on the timing belt "omitted" the cam seals, and the water pump one doesn't touch them either.

 

Hi mltitlntd (Steven),

Did you ever find any help on the camshaft seals? I'm getting ready to replace my valve cover gaskets and would like to know if this is something I can do while replacing those or if I need to remove the timing belt in order to access the seals.

 

Obviously, it's been a while since I did this work. I'm not sure I recall what the issue was, specifically. I removed the valve covers and removed the cam "sprockets" to replace the seals. I don't think it is a requirement, but if it's got some miles, why not? I can tell you those sprockets are torqued very tight...

 

Wow... resurrected a 4 year old thread and got an immediate response. Bravo OP!
Just to put in my .02, idk how many miles you've got but when I did my timing belt at 85k miles I didn't do the cam seals. The kit I bought had them, but they weren't leaking so I didn't want to mess with it.

 

My Taco had over 150k, so I figured I'd go ahead. The hardest part was getting off the cam sprockets. I'm now reminded that the V covers have to be off to get a wrench on the cam, which is necessary to loosen the sprocket bolts. I'd already decided to change the V cover gaskets, though with the bent still in place, a pneumatic impact driver may loosen them