My buddy has a areostar and the timing chain cover gasket is shot. Anyone replace one of these before, and if so, how much of a pain in the *** was it? Any info appreciated as I have never worked on a minivan before!

 

3.0L? 4.0L? AWD?

It helps to know these things.

 

1/2 day and a case of Aero beer for two guys.
4L requires pulling back tranny and dropping pan...

A/C makes it a little harder...hang compressor of to side with rope...make sure he has a good puller to remove crank pulley/vib. damper....
put a rag in hole into pan to prevent small tools and parts from disappearing

clean block seal area and cover seal area well with scraper...be sure to put in new front crank seal while off...
also have a new cam chain and gear set on hand with follower and guide in case old one is worn...

use a thick sticky gasket sealer on block seal surface...when somewhat set up, put gasket on sticky surface and rub smooth....cover outer surface of gasket with gasket goop....put cover on and tighten bolts from top down....take up in 2 stages of tightening....do NOT overtighten...torque wrench only on last tightening..15 ft lbs

check water pump for smooth bearing and no signs of seal leak...check thermo. fan clutch for smoothness and some resistance...

always change oil after front cover removal...pieces of old gasket, crank case goop and other nasties fall into oil

 

It is not difficult, but you are to be accurate. Check timing rotatig a cranckshaft twice before assebling. And do not drink mach beer during a work....

 

Haha sorry guys, it is a 3.0 litre, and rear wheel drive

 

Then you are in luck. Still takes 1/2 day, but only one guy

 

Pablo,
do they make Aero Vodka in Ukraine or CIS?
good for these cold days and working outside on the van plus can clean parts with it.

 

Careful though, vodka will dissolve most materials, reference my stomach.

Ken

 

That sounds easy enough, specially the boozing part of it Thanks for the info guys!

 

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KEN: From Ed

 

It is not cold in south of Russia and East of Ukraitne, but vodka is popular, but I prefere beer and red wine...

 

I had the timing cover leak too, top left side, looked like the manufacturer never tightened that bolt. Mechanic wanted 1400 to do the job, said 98&^5$#@&^%*&^ and repaired myself. there was just a 1/8 " gap in gasket, pulled vacuum on crankcase with ref vac pump, sucked silicone into gap, allowed to cure, tightened bolt and poured jb weld on repair, damming it into a puddle. that was 15000 Arizona miles ago.

Ken

 

Depending on the mileage, I'd consider installing a new timing set while the cover is off. If there is a lot of slop in the chain - do it. Your Aero will reward you with better performance. A stretched chain retards your timing.

Don't forget the crankshaft seal. It probably comes with a timing cover gasket set, along with water pump gasket, etc. Check for wear on the crank where the seal rides on the shaft. If there is a groove, they make sleeves that slip over the crank that give you a smooth riding surface again.

Heck, I'd replace the water pump too while it's off. it's cheap enough. You don't want to have to go back in again someday. Check everything that you pull off. e.g. the fan clutch, hoses, belts etc

Just take your time. Clean, smooth gasket surfaces are a must. Use gasket sealer. Again, you don't want to discover a leak after it's all back together.

 

Yes, in fairness, the mechanic was going to replace all those parts, but that was 15000 miles ago. What is the cam chain tensioner like on the 4.0?

Ken

 

I don't think there is a tensioner on the 3.0 or 4.0 (V6s). Just a cam gear, crank gear and roller chain like the v8s.