Timing belt replacement questions (7A-FE) on ST, Newbie needs some tips for getting to the timing belt. Options

[smiffythecelica]

My timing belt is due for replacement in terms of the years it's done but not the miles. Thought it would be sensible to have a go myself and try and save some cash. I'm following the Chilton Manual plus this guide How To Replace Your Timing Belt on these forums.

I'm having a mammoth struggle getting rusted up nuts/bolts off hard to reach places such as the 10mm nuts on the water pump pulley and those on the fuse box. Why does Toyota use crappy unplated steel bolts or am I dealing with someone's aftermarket bolt replacement attempt?

Still, I'm slowly getting there and replacing bolts with new ones as I go along. Grateful if someone could help me out with some issues.

1. How do you split apart the grey cable harness things in the engine bay? They have a slot in them that looks like you should stick a flat bladed screw driver in then they will split in two but I just can't get them to do that.

2. I've totally undone the pivot bolt on the alternator, and in addition undone the adjustment bolt quite a lot and also loosened the lock bolt; should the alternator be incredibly tightly fitted onto its mount where the pivot bolt goes? I've had to use a hammer to get it do move the alternator off the pivot bolt attachment but this doesn't seem a good idea. This pic shows more (I know the pivot bolt is still in it - this pic was taken before I removed the bolt and gave it a hammering).


3. As I need to remove the alternator in order to continue to the timing belt, how do I detach the wire in the picture below from the engine block? The wire needs to be detached because it also attaches to the alternator which I need to remove. I'm guessing it's a sensor of some kind, I've tried using pliers but they won't pull it out easily and I'm concerned about breaking it.


4. I detached another connector that was plugged into the alternator and it looked like it had white lithium grease in. Do I need to put grease back in it when I eventually plug it back into the alternator.


5. Is this bit of plastic anything to do with my car?!!? I found it nearby and was worried about it.


Many thanks from a concerned newbie mechanic.

This post has been edited by smiffythecelica: Mar 7, 2010 - 2:15 PM

[Smaay]

yeah that white thing doesnt belong on the car. as for the sensor you have circled, thats the oil pressure sensor. look at my 7A thread for help on assembling the timing belt