broken timing cover

[JeffN]

Anyone ever hear of a broken/cracked timing belt cover? Our 92 is being checked out by a stealer for my buyer.

He's found the timing cover, binding trafsfer box(on a 14k mile new Sube warranty trans), and some belts need replacing(2 years an 9000 miles after I did them with Goodyear belts). Guess stealers have to find something to justify their fees.

Questions: what service does the transfer case need that they claim?

[SVXer95]

My timing cover is cracked. Due to some real morons at the dealership when the timing belt and other things were done. I don't think that is really a problem though.

Changing fluids: tranny, f/r diff usually solves binding issues.

[JeffN]

Transfer case feels fine in operation so I don;t know where the binging thing comes in. Could be a a ploy by the dealer. It is a Sube trans w/ only 14k on it.

Does a cracked timing cover leak oil? Or is it the main seal behind the cover/belt/pulleys?

$1500. in work they claim. all new belts and the above.

[SVXer95]

The timing cover does have a seal. Most likely what is leaking is the cam/crank seals. Although my timing cover seal is not seated correctly I do not have major leaks from the area. I do see some oil coming off the cover, but not enough to even drip on the driveway.

Does the car have four of the same tires? This can also cause binding. You are probably right though, most likely the dealer.

[JeffN]

All the same tires. I think the front main is leaking.

The 1st sube trans ound up from day 1 and they said to break it in. 11000 miles later it was worse and they gave us a new one under warranty and it works as well as our 97 w/37k on it. I don;t know how the stealer determined it was binding. Maybe just trying to kill the deal.

[SVXer95]

Do a search on binding transfer case. I seem to recall there being a quick fix for breaking in new trannies that had this problem. Something about fast, tight figure eights or soemthing of that nature...

[JeffN]

Makes sense but this one's never had nor does it have, any signs of binding. How else would they diagnose binding in it? Still think it's dealer BS.

[Mr. Pockets]

Ask them specifically what they want to do to the transfer mechanism. Until the solenoid stops working correctly (causing binding - and a blinking power light on startup) or the clutches wear out (causing the front wheels to slip before the rears engage), no maintenance is required. As a matter of fact, you can't even get to the thing without removing the exhaust, draining the tranny, removing the prop shaft and removing the tranny crossmember.

So, if they're claiming some 'preventative' maintenance on the transfer clutches, they're full of it.

I'm getting confused about your 'timing cover' leaks. Are you certain they're referring to the timing belt covers and not the valve covers? If you're sure, then (as has already been suggested) the leak would be caused by a bad front crank seal, cam seal or the oil pump itself.

[JeffN]

We're all right. Dealr is trying to line it's coffer. The front seal's leaked for awile and it must seep out of the belt cover. My tech said to change the belt and seal as it may have hit the timing belt with oil.

He's buying it anyway, so it's his fix. Thanks for the opinions. Here's to another new svx owner!

[SVXer95]

I hope you referred him to the site. Glad everything worked out for you.