This is the back of the front cover, timing chain cover, oil pump cover whatever you want to call it...
The two triangular holes at the top are for the water pump. Coolant does flow through them.
The lower set of screws is a cover that holds your oil pump.





Here is a front picture of the cover. The waterpump mounts at the top. The lower hole which shows a black seal is where the crank shaft comes out at and also holds the oil pump. The threaded shaft on the left is where your oil filter mounts onto. The studs at the bottom are a mounting point for your oil pan.


There is a gasket that goes behind this piece and also in front for the water pump. Bolts are different sizes when you break it down this far so it is important to put them back in the correct holes.


This job ISNT that hard but if you don't feel comfortable you might not want to try it.


The timing gears easily slip on and off, I would do a timing chain and gears as well as an oil pump if you do this.


Basically, air cleaner lid intake hose comes off, the upper shroud, the fan comes off, the serpentine belt, the A/C compressor and then the parts, pulleys etc.

 

Agree.

 

I agree, Sixpack, however living in the city in an apartment I have no place to do work that involves fluids spilling out. I normally do such work at my brothers house with a garage/shop. Unfortunately with a gushing front cover I could not drive to his house and a tow would be out of the question expensive.

Its the cost I pay to drive one of these in the city under such circumstances.

I made up the money by doing other work myself so it all works out.

 

A few years ago a friend of mine had coolant pouring out of a leaking front cover gasket as fast as he could pour it in. He paid a shop to do the work. Cost him $700-$800, I recall. The shop said they'd never seen a leak that bad.

 

How expensive is a tow vs what a shop would charge you?
With the service manual, all the info here, and basic hand tools, it's not a hard job. Even if you've never done it.

 

My brother lives 300 miles away, I have another friend with a garage 180 miles away. Otherwise I have to go to the local indy shop.

Normally I do preventive work so things like this don't make me go to the nearest shop but as you know, scat happens.

I would totally do the work myself if I had the facilities.

I was just pointing out what shops charge. This was at Lamorna Garage in Seattle... possibly one of the highest rated shops in the region. His prices reflect his expertise. I have no problem paying what he charges because he is honest and his expertise is second to none.

 

Dave - I live about 40 miles away, I know that may not help now but, I am willing to let D2 owners use my garage if needed.

 

Other options are to rent a storage locker or rent a garage in your area...

 

Good to know Friday, Thanks! I'll definitely keep that in mind for the future!

I had the leaking front cover a few years ago and was just reporting what the cost was at a good indy shop. The leak was noticed at work, luckily only 4.5 miles from my apartment. I was able to top up the coolant (always carry a gallon of pre mix) and get home without overheating. Then at the time Lamorna Garage was less than 1 mile away in Ballard, so I topped up again and got the truck to him. Driving 40 miles that way may not have worked so well!!

And thanks Shane, I have a garage, but the Disco is too tall to get into it, and thats where I store my vintage VW bus. They have rules about working on cars in the shared garage space but the owner is cool as long as it doesn't involve anything that could make a mess with fluids. Works ok for the air cooled car ;-D... My son recently rented a small storage space nearby and it is literally a 4x6 closet... $80/month with a 3 month minimum. So... That might work out better in a smaller town without 5000 new people a month moving in.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGlD...ature=youtu.be