Is there a gasket or anything stuck to the timing belt cover? I just got done putting a timing belt on the '97 CE 4 cyl I just got. I think I did something bad by removing the foam material that was stuck to the cover. My Chilton's manual mentions putting an adhesive gasket in there but a few places online didn't say anything about there being a gasket. Also only 1 of the 3 local parts stores even listed a gasket, which they called a dust shield, & it was a special order item. I removed the foam gasket b/c it was a little torn up and had RTV sealant smeared on it.

So, is there supposed to be a seal on the timing belt cover, and if so where can I get one at?

Hasn't anyone done a timing belt on their car before!!??

Do you have a FSM for it?
Call the dealer and ask them i f you cant get any info.
Then post the answer since I have to do one soon I think.

I tried to inspect a 1999 Camry's belt (4 cyl). I could not get what I thought would be a simple inspection cover off the belt's full cover. I removed a few more bolts and was able to pry open to inspect the belt's outside surface in two locations (inspection area and lower toward the front). The belt was fine @40,000 vs what was reported. I noticed the foam gasket in the process that I felt was more for dust or blow-by vapor.

I had to give up on trying to rem the inspection cover due to the time involved (since I was not replacing the belt). Approximately, how much time did you have invested in replacing the belt? Did you pull the inspection cover to inspect the belt first. Was pulling the covers or cover a "Monster"?

Good Point! "Hasn't anyone done a timing belt on their car before!!??" I get the impression that very few individuals related to this site are doing any of their work vs wanting opinions.

Have you done any troubleshooting with intermitting EGR codes? Do you have any suggestions above inspections for vacuum leaks, internal cleanings (carbon) and checking for failed parts?

Joe

Wickware, I can't really speak to the vacuum leaks b/c I've never had any on my Camry. I did do the timing belt and all the replacable pulleys when I got it just to be safe. Since that belt is behind a cover and isn't exposed to the elements like the accessory belts are, it's hard to tell if it's bad or not by looking at it. The belt may look brand new, but be ready to snap anytime.

I don't know how long it took to change the belt, but I've since had to get in there 2 more times. The o-ring seal to the oil pumped failed and created a bad leak. Then a couple weeks after I fixed that the waterpump gave out, and I just replaced that this past weekend. It may not be a bad idea to replace the water pump & the oil pump seals while you have it apart. The dealer said it's common for the o-ring to fail and the water pump go out so a lot of guys will replace that stuff with the timing belt. My car does have 203,000+ miles on it now though so that probably had a lot to do with it too!

It sucks to have take it apart so many times, but I;m now pretty good at it! I can now take it apart, fix whatever needs to be done and have it back together within a few hours. So, get a good factory shop manual or at least a Chilton's manual and you'll have no problem checking and / or replacing your timing belt. Good luck to ya!

the foam is just to creat a seal around the timing belt cover to keep dirt and debris off the timing belt extending the life, i know you can get the foam strips if you buy a engine rebuild kit with all the gaskets from toyota but i dont know if you can get just the foam strips itsself, just buy some 3M 1/4" foam strips with adhesive backs if you want to replace them