turbobill wrote:
Have seen writeups on pullingg the cover...
Do I really need to disconnect and vent the A/C and do I need to pull the inside cover from the timing belt space? I may try to pull tomorrow so I can assess damage. Appreciate any tips on getting this cover and back on.
NO - no requirement to disconnect/vent the A/C. If I recall correctly, the text you read is speaking about cutting the wire ties that hold it down across the top of the radiator / fan shroud. If you look in the pictures I've posted this past week - you can see it held up and out of the way using a bungee cord.
YES - you probably need to pull the inside cover (I did). Though, you're welcome to try without doing so; the service manual calls for it.
If you want to try, there is a 10mm bolt front/center (inline w/injectors) that goes vertically down through the engine cover and into a tab that comes out the back from the rear timing cover.
What you may find is that the water hose/tube that comes up from somewhere near the EGR/FCV and across the top (that top 10mm bolt holds it down) seems impossible to get clear of the engine cover (to lift vertically) unless one of two things happens:
1) disconnect the tube at the hose junction about mid-way down the driver's side of the engine (hard to reach), so you can get it out of the way and lift the cover... or,
3) pull the rear timing cover forward enough to get that tube out of the way for lifting the engine cover.
Of course, anything messing with the timing gears means you probably want that tool from GDE..
Good luck - you've got my sympathy/support!
Mark