Noise Inside Lower Timing Cover

[mrnickleye]

Soooo.....
If you hear a funny little sound (as I did) and you put your stethoscope (or long screwdriver) on there right above the crank pulley, and it is very loud.......

Then likely it is the timing belt crank gear washer that has popped off the gear.
See: Page EM22 in TSRM.

These washers (2) were press fitted at the factory.
The t-belt wants to ride up against the outer one.
Mine came loose, and allowed (for about 10 miles) the t-belt to rub against the timing cover. Since the washer was just 'dancing around', it just made a small worn spot.

I took off the gear, put the washer back in place on the gear, and then welded (wire fed arc) it back on at 4 little spots. Then touched it up with a bench grinder.

I also replaced the oil pump drive shaft seal, $11 at Toyota, #90080-31022, that was seeping.

Put it all back together. Whole job Only took 2 hrs, tops.

But of course I know every nut and bolt as I have had the t-belt off 2x last summer.

I have e;ectric fan, not factory, which makes for a whole bunch of room.

I did NOT have to drop the coolant, or remove the upper hose.

I strongly recommend that when you have the plastic t-belt cover off, you cut it in half across at the line below the 7MGE sign. Sure makes t-belt work easier.