Timing gear cover replacement

[MH9371B]

Recently a mechanic who looked at my boat said I was critical that I get my timing gear cover and push rod cover replaced. My question is, how critical is this? They do appear to be somewhat corroded. They quoted a 3.5 hour job and at $85 an hour I am a little skeptical.<br /><br />1995 3.0LX Merc. I/O 135HP

 

[a.d.mobile]

Re: Timing gear cover replacement

with all that corrosion what else it bad? do you get that much salt water in the bilge area to cause this? the oil pan must be toat also check that.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Timing gear cover replacement

how critical is this?

They hold the Oil Into the Motor..........<br />WithOut the Oil,<br />The Motor will be an Anchor...............<br /><br />I Also Question the Integrity of the Rest of your Driveline........

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Timing gear cover replacement

wow 3.5 hours to change a timing cover on a 3.0L? aint gonna happen if they follow the service manual.usually the timing cover rusts out due to a leaking circulating pump. make sure they check that out well. to do the job properly requires the oil pan to be removed as well as the balancer. in the hull most times the balancer installation tool wont fit so the tech beats in on with a hammer. every hammer blow is a direct blow on the crankshaft thrust bearing and has the possibility to destroy the bond between the hub and the damper. ask them to show you the procedure for removal and installation in the service manual.<br /> good luck and keep posting

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Timing gear cover replacement

and in 1995 you should have an aluminium cover not a steel cover. mmmm I would remain skeptical

 

[f_inscreenname]

Re: Timing gear cover replacement

My small block mopar has a timing cover made of aluminum and I have to change it about every 5 years. Mopar’s are a little different (water passes through timing cover) but even powder coated they don't last to long. Any metal will decay in salt water fast.<br /> As for someone “beating” off the balancer. Never saw that before but if I did I would beat them with the hammer. Dropping the oil pan in most cases is not necessary. They sell gaskets just to install a timing cover. Used them many times.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Timing gear cover replacement

for a 3.0 the oil pan must come off<br /> really isnt any other way to properly do the Job.<br /> good luck and keep posting

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Timing gear cover replacement

I ment the rocker cover should be aluminium. I have never seen an aluminium rocker cover fail. its common to see the stamped steel timing cover rust through but only after the circulating pump starts leaking.<br /> good luck and keep posting

 

[MH9371B]

Re: Timing gear cover replacement

rodbolt:<br /><br />you are correct it was caused by a leaking water circ. pump which I replaced myself (was a very simple job). The engine now runs dry as it should but I am worried about the oil pan as well. Is checking this as simple as getting a mirror down in the bilge and looking up at the bottom of the oil pan or does it corrode from the inside out?

 

[MH9371B]

Re: Timing gear cover replacement

Also, you commented on the 3.5 hours required for the job. Do you think that is a high or low estimate?

 

[doman]

Re: Timing gear cover replacement

i dont think you have to change the oil pan when changing the timing cover on 3.0 i did mine without removing the oil pan and i dont see any problems with it ...you have to cut a piece of the oil pan gasket out and replace it with silicone when putting new cover on ..If you do it right it wont leak ...<br />took me about 2 hrs total ..some of the timing cover bolts were corroded so i had some problems with them but other than that i wouldnt let anyone play with my harmonic balancer if it goes bad i know it was me plus your looking for at lest 300 bux to change it at the marnina or some other place where new timing cover is ony about 50<br /><br />Dom

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Timing gear cover replacement

ok but if your cover leaks would you expect me to warrenty theleak? if all the oil leaked out and you sued me cause I silly coned a part that the service manual clearly states the correct procedure foir repairing would I lose in cort. the repair procedures are very explicit. circumvent them if you must but I cant nor will I reccomend to jinky rig something.<br /> just check your oil pan carefully. here most my crabbers actually use wheel bearing grease and slather it all over the timing cover and oil pans. I have some that have run over 10 years crabbing<br /> good luck and keep posting