Disconnecting the negative battery cable is the first step in removal and installation of the Timing Cover. To remove, you will have to remove upper and lower fan shrouds, drive belt, cooling fan and water pump. The number four piston must be positioned at TDC on the compression stroke, then remove the drive belt pulley and crankshaft damper. If applicable, don't forget to take out the crankshaft position sensor and wiring harness nut. Loosen front
Oil Pan nuts before removing cover bolts when separating Timing Cover from block and breaking gasket seal if necessary. Note that for some engines, the front cover may be made of composite material and should be replaced rather than resealed. Just inside the front cover, pull off crankshaft position sensor reluctor ring which is attached to a camshaft sprocket and chain assembly. For an old gasket material use a gasket scraper to scrape it off; cleaning lacquer thinner or acetone should be wiped over sealing surfaces of engine cover and block; inspecting flange condition of a cover is recommended. Make sure that when installing a Woodruff key line up coincides with both crankshaft sprocket's as well as balance shaft gears'. Use clean engine oil to lubricate the chain; put Loctite on camshaft sprocket bolt threads before installing them tightly or tighten them after installing using Loctite. Apply RTV sealant in U-shaped channel on bottom side of the cover check oil pan-to-block joints; also check whether there are any leaks between housing halves in place where they meet with each other in front of timing chain area that is why you need to apply RTV sealant between them too. Thin layer of RTV sealant should be spread over both sides of new gasket so that it can be positioned on engine block by dowel pins thus holding it firmly in place. Finally install Timing Cover and tighten bolts taking into account whether it is necessary to remove or pry down oil pan for access. Lastly, apply moly-base grease or clean engine oil onto the vibration damper hub's oil seal contact surface, put the damper on the crankshaft, and proceed with other remaining installation steps including using new O-ring for crankshaft position sensor.