checking out an 86 mk3 tomorrow

cre · 01-29-2010, 08:34 AM

I've been through the timing plate thing on two of these cars, including my own not both my fault although mine was). It's not the worst thing that could happen and pulling the head back off isn't so bad... not since everything's been off recently and the process is fresh in your mind.

The leaks at the lower timing plate are generally very steady, but slow. You can get by for a good amount of time before tackling it. Sometimes it won't start leaking right away either, but that doesn't seem very common. Unfortunately, this is a common oversight another common source of leaks here is machine shops not cutting the block deck with the timing plate installed thus making the timing plate taller than the block which holds the head up at the front.

I feel bad man. Nothing worse than forgetting one little thing only to find out it just may bite you in the ass in a big way... but seriously, don't freak... it shouldn't be leaking so much as to prevent you from driving the car for a month or two until you're ready to swap the HG... and the HG WILL be easier to swap the second time around... hell, maybe you'll the one lucky SOB for whom it doesn't leak.

01-29-2010, 08:34 AM	#244
cre Toyota Racing Development Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 5,038	I've been through the timing plate thing on two of these cars, including my own not both my fault although mine was). It's not the worst thing that could happen and pulling the head back off isn't so bad... not since everything's been off recently and the process is fresh in your mind. The leaks at the lower timing plate are generally very steady, but slow. You can get by for a good amount of time before tackling it. Sometimes it won't start leaking right away either, but that doesn't seem very common. Unfortunately, this is a common oversight another common source of leaks here is machine shops not cutting the block deck with the timing plate installed thus making the timing plate taller than the block which holds the head up at the front. I feel bad man. Nothing worse than forgetting one little thing only to find out it just may bite you in the ass in a big way... but seriously, don't freak... it shouldn't be leaking so much as to prevent you from driving the car for a month or two until you're ready to swap the HG... and the HG WILL be easier to swap the second time around... hell, maybe you'll the one lucky SOB for whom it doesn't leak. __________________ If something breaks or you need to contact a member of the administration please post HERE. Unless it's a private or administration matter please post it on the forum. It benefits no one else if car related questions aren't posted for future users and takes away from the time I'm able to spend helping on the rest of the forum. If you're so inclined I'm always more than happy to accept tips via PayPal. Tip Jar ---> Last edited by cre; 01-29-2010 at 08:36 AM.