Loosening Camshaft sprockets bolts - timing belt on or off?

[bearbalu]

To loosen camshaft sprockets, should I first remove the timing belt? Or do it with timing belt in place ?

 

Otherskips page

 

http://mysite.verizon.net/vze730qe/Head_gasket_replacement_2.html

 

suggests doing it BEFORE removing timing belt. The subaru service manual suggests removing/loosenig the bolts after.

 

The only reason I can see leaving it in place would be that if camshaft ends up rotating counter clockwise a little bit, both intake and exhaust would rotate counter clock wise together. If both intake and exhaust rotate counter clockwise together, does it create interference on valves?

 

What if you remove timing belt and them do it? I guess independent rotation could still create problem...

 

Balu

[dashton]

I left the belt on when I did mine. That way I didn't have to hold the sprockets to keep them from spinning. Worked like a champ and I recommend it. Good luck.

[bearbalu]

Thanks.

 

Won't the camshaft (and crankshaft) all rotate counterclockwise when you do it? Or did you hold the crank bolt clockwise before you did it?

[RallyKeith]

Thanks.

 

Won't the camshaft (and crankshaft) all rotate counterclockwise when you do it? Or did you hold the crank bolt clockwise before you did it?

 

Not if you put the car in gear and use the parking brake. That's how I do mine. With the belt on.

[bearbalu]

Engine is out of car for blown head gasket.

 

I can still wedge the flywheel with a couple of screw drivers. Some said, don't put too much tension on timing belt (I guess this would) - I am planning throwing away the old timing belt anyway...I might try what you suggested.

[Storm]

When I did my gaskets, I removed the valvecovers and held the cams with a large Crescent wrench on the flats. I didn't want to stress the tensioner or have any other mishap while loosening or torquing the cam pulleys.

[bearbalu]

FYI, I did it both ways...I kept the timing belt on but used the hex portion on camshafts (had valve covers off) to prevent rotation. I thought I would leave the belt on if person holding the hex section slipped!