2005 Lexus ES330

41Supercoupe

Newbie
Joined
Jun 24, 2022
Messages
3
Points
1
Make
Lexus
Model
ES330
Year
2005
Miles
206,000
Engine
V6
Hi all. I just replaced the t belt on my es330, and ran it for a few minutes--everything was fine, except the front crank seal came loose and leaked. So I had to redo it. When it came time to reinstall the new belt, it won't fit--about 1 mm too short now. Did it shrink? I'm a retired ASE master tech, but this is a new one on me.
Thanks for any help
Paul Smith, Raleigh, N.C.
 

billr

wrench
Staff member
Joined
Mar 12, 2007
Messages
7,803
Points
63
Shrunk, huh? Not likely, you are grasping at straws! You put something back together wrong; need to remove everything previously disturbed and start over.

Don't like that proposal? Get another new belt and try it or compare to what you have. Probably worth the cost as a "sanity-check" before tearing things apart again
 

41Supercoupe

Newbie
Joined
Jun 24, 2022
Messages
3
Points
1
for me the best way to install the t belt was to install it onto the top belt idler bearing last. I made sure I had all the slack out of the belt up to both cam sprockets. I laid the top bearing on top of the belt and had wife pry down on it until I could start the bearing mounting bolt into the block. You can pry against the metal, rear belt guard--it has a nice lip to pry against. Note that the crank sprocket has two identical factory dimples stamped onto it. One is on the back ring that works with the crank sensor. The other is stamped on the forward face of the sprocket (closest to the fender). They are 90 deg. apart. Only one is the crank timing mark. You might want to mark that before removing the old belt. Apparently the crank oil seals give problems. Mine failed after 5 min. running, so I had to do it all over again, with a new seal. On the second go around I forgot to rotate the crank 60 deg to get the pistons off top center, and one cam went over center while I was holding it with my ratchet, so it pinged the valves into the piston. It didn't hurt anything tho--no bent valves. It's a fairly straight forward job, esp. the second time. Power steering bracket is in way of the hydraulic belt tensioner, but it takes patience..
 

Mobile Dan

wrench
Joined
Mar 1, 2002
Messages
3,890
Points
48
Location
Kentucky
Sometimes the belt might do an "inchworm" on the rear sprocket, but you can't see it due to the location and design of the sprocket. It is engaged at the entry point and the exit point, but in between...inchworm. If you get the belt installed and rotate the engine, you might hear a little snap sound. But now the timing is off because there is one extra belt tooth between the cam sprockets. 1656782935092.png
 
Top