Hi there

 

I want to do the cam seals on a 2.5 but dont have the tool to hold the sprocket so I can unbolt the pulley. My question is what do you do to get it off. I have the timing belt off already and the pulleys turn real easy.

 

:cornfuzz:

if you take the valve covers off, there is a hex portion on the cam, which you can get an adjustable wrench over. if you can't get an adjustable wrench on it, you could use a crow's foot on a breaker bar (to work at a right angle). it is around a 25-26mm hex.

 

other methods people have used include using a strap wrench around the whole sprocket (must be a big wrench, and protect the teeth with a piece of the old timing belt), and 99obw used a 2-3/8" 3/4" drive socket, which he welded on a piece of angle iron. the socket fit onto the large hex portion of the sprocket, and he slipped a 3/8" entension through the 3/4" drive hole to remove the bolt. search for his "doing a phase 1 head gasket myself" post for more details.

 

i don't recommend using channellocks like haynes recommends. it is difficult to get a good grip on it, and 99obw broke part of one of the sprockets using that method...

Thanks for the tips. I have a strap wrench so I will give that a try.

Vise Grip makes a medium size (rather small) chain wrench that i used to remove the cam sprockets on my 2.2L. I guess it could also work on your engine if the strap wrench does'nt.

Of course wrap part of the old belt around the sprocket to protect it.

In my case I used this chain Vise Grip not only to remove the cam sprockets but also the crank pulley.

When you look at it you might think the handle is too short to get good leverage but the fact is you dont need it ; the handle always catches on something and frees both your hand to work the breaker bar.

It worked perfectly in my case.

I had the valve covers off so I was able to put a wrench on the cam. Thanks theotherskip.