Idler pulley removals with engine in car!

thetyrant · April 16, 2021, 07:49

Ok i want to change the rear aux belt ilder pulley, to be clear its rear most one held on with the long bolt and spacer tube on back side of block.

Had a hell of a noise from it yesterday (thought it was cam chain related!) which turned out to be a tiny stone trapped in the ribs on pulley, anyhows on removing belt to diagnose and find the issue i noticed the pulley has a fair bit of play as well so would like to replace it but the long bolt wont come out due to chassis rail, i did think about removing engine mount and lifting engine but still not sure there will be enough clearance to get bolt out.

Some searching online ive seen mentioned i need to cut the bolt and then refit with new one other way around (so bolts comes in from engine side not chassis side), ive no problem doing that but wondered if there was a trick to avoid this that im missing ?

TIA

Carolyn · April 16, 2021, 08:19

Quote from: thetyrant on April 16, 2021, 07:49Ok i want to change the rear aux belt ilder pulley, to be clear its rear most one held on with the long bolt and spacer tube on back side of block.

Had a hell of a noise from it yesterday (thought it was cam chain related!) which turned out to be a tiny stone trapped in the ribs on pulley, anyhows on removing belt to diagnose and find the issue i noticed the pulley has a fair bit of play as well so would like to replace it but the long bolt wont come out due to chassis rail, i did think about removing engine mount and lifting engine but still not sure there will be enough clearance to get bolt out.

Some searching online ive seen mentioned i need to cut the bolt and then refit with new one other way around (so bolts comes in from engine side not chassis side), ive no problem doing that but wondered if there was a trick to avoid this that im missing ?

TIA

If the bolt doesn't clear, then it is in the wrong way round! Never seen this one before.

I have a couple of spares.

thetyrant · April 16, 2021, 08:32

H

Quote from: Carolyn on April 16, 2021, 08:19If the bolt doesn't clear, then it is in the wrong way round! Never seen this one before.

I have a couple of spares.

Hmm yes thats what i thought initially, but checking my pictures thats how it was before i stripped this 2005 engine and same on the preFL 2nd engine i got off DS both off which im sure have never had it removed before (this is incorrect on checking more pics both had bolt other way!) , some searching online seems some are fitted this way and others the other way from factory! i did question myself when reffiting when i did engine build but just put it back as it came off thinking it would never need to come off, obviously i was wrong

Will get a new pulley ordered up and see if i have a suitable bolt, apparently M10 x 150mm is required

1979scotte · April 16, 2021, 09:01

Perhaps some aren't actually mr2 engines.
Maybe corolla or celica.

thetyrant · April 16, 2021, 09:16

Quote from: 1979scotte on April 16, 2021, 09:01Perhaps some aren't actually mr2 engines.
Maybe corolla or celica.

They dont have this idler on front engine variants as the power steering pump sits there i believe

It is odd though, ive got a 2005 and 2002 engine here both same with bolt what looks backwards to be sensible (again this is incorrect on checking more pics both were other way see further down for info) , quite a bit of research online shows others have same and some dont with no obvious reason why!, i was hoping C would say " just do this and wiggle that and it comes out"

...but she hasnt seen one like it which is even more weird as im sure there have been a lot more 1zz engines down there than ive seen

Carolyn · April 16, 2021, 09:40

The bolt and nut are specifically designed for the application. The bolt has a particular plain section and a conical tip. The nut has a special wide flange, so that it spreads the sideload on the bearing. There is no doubt in my mind that it is designed to go in just the one way.

If it's in backwards from the factory- there was a rogue bolt installer.

I'm happy to send you the correct bolt and nut, if you like.

thetyrant · April 16, 2021, 10:11

Quote from: Carolyn on April 16, 2021, 09:40The bolt and nut are specifically designed for the application. The bolt has a particular plain section and a conical tip. The nut has a special wide flange, so that it spreads the sideload on the bearing. There is no doubt in my mind that it is designed to go in just the one way.

If it's in backwards from the factory- there was a rogue bolt installer.

I'm happy to send you the correct bolt and nut, if you like.

That would be brilliant if you dont mind

do you still have my work address CA11 9PA ?

Just to add this this ive been an idiot and not afraid to admit it

checked some other pictures from when i changed the engines 1st time and i can now see on both of them the bolt is the other (correct!) way around, ive no idea why ive fitted it backwards! probably because i was concentrating on all the timing case bolts so carefully i just popped this one in without thinking properly, or maybe i just slotted it in as temp measure while i did up rest of bolts and waited for sealant to cure, meaning to change it around but then forgot, who knows but i cant remember! $:-\$ of course doing it with engine out the car it was possible to do so but once engine is in place its not! so ive now got to cut the bolt to get it out and change pulley but no biggy thankfully.

Wonder what is going on with others ive found online that have had same problem as its not possible to do this with engine in place, at least not without dropping or raising engine a huge amount so something weird has been going on for sure, and i thought i had same but seems not

Carolyn · April 17, 2021, 10:27

The bolt in question is on its way. I reckon it's the longest bolt on the car.

thetyrant · April 17, 2021, 13:59

Quote from: Carolyn on April 17, 2021, 10:27The bolt in question is on its way. I reckon it's the longest bolt on the car.

Thanks a million once again 😀

Call the midlife! · April 17, 2021, 15:13

Quote from: Carolyn on April 17, 2021, 10:27The bolt in question is on its way. I reckon it's the longest bolt on the car.

And we all know which is the biggest nut in these cars.🤓

thetyrant · April 19, 2021, 14:54

Replacement bolt arrived from @Carolyn many thanks

new toyota pulley ordered today from Steve @ GT4play who was first to reply to my enquiry

once thats here will cut off old bolt and get everything swapped over.

thetyrant · April 23, 2021, 10:50

Got the old bolt chopped and new pulley/bolt fitted last night, old pulley feels smooth enough to rotate but as you can see in below video link the side to side play is getting a bit excessive! new pulley has a tiny amount of movement but nothing like this old girl thats done 109k

shnazzle · April 23, 2021, 11:03

Mine's wobbly like that as well. Hence wanting to replace my pulleys. Gets to the point of "should I just pull the engine and refresh a bit more".
But then I know that wil lspiral into...well..if the engine is out....might as well rebuild it...

slippery slope.

thetyrant · April 23, 2021, 11:29

Quote from: shnazzle on April 23, 2021, 11:03Mine's wobbly like that as well. Hence wanting to replace my pulleys. Gets to the point of "should I just pull the engine and refresh a bit more".
But then I know that wil lspiral into...well..if the engine is out....might as well rebuild it...

slippery slope.

Yes i suspect a lot are like this and bearing still spins smooth (at least when cold) so probably be ok for ages yet, i remember wondering about it when refitting engine but it was nice and smooth so just refitted it, you can see why when i got the chipping in pulley grooves why it made the noise!, also fitted the brand new cam chain tensioner ive had sat on side for 6months!

Checked other pulleys while belt was off and all seemed good, tensioner one has a little bit of play but nothing like the idler and bearing felt good, water pump was new on rebuild so thats ok and alternator felt ok as well.