Just wonderfull. It's cold outside, the winds are blowing, and the truck decides to split the o-ring on the oil pump.
Wonderful job. I have to drop the pan to pull the front mounted oil pump, because Toyota decided to directly bolt the pickup tube to the oil pump. But to pull the pan, I have to pull the front crossmember. But to pull the front cross member, I have to drop the differential.
Maybe if I just tie it all up in duct tape and fill the crankcase with 90 weight it'll hold.
I think I'll just find a set of snow tires for the Miata instead. I'd planned on driving the truck when it got nasty, but I think I can ignore this oil pump job until warmer days.
and that's when you barter a buddy for garage time with a case of beer
There has to be at least one friend nearby with a garage, no? It's well worth the cost of a tow and a basket or two of cheer to have an enclosed space to work in this time of year.
I have an arrangement that I help my friend at his garage and in return I get garage time (and use of all the tools etc.) Not a bad deal since I actually like a change of pace working on cars etc. I try to keep two days in the bank at all times but some times.
I spent last Sunday cleaning out a recently divorced buddy's garage in exchange for free storage for the Spitfire this winter. They had cats that basically lived out there; I'm more than a little allergic. Inhaler and pills. But, I've got the room.
Anybody got a garage, shielded car port you could barter for partial usage for a day or two? Aslo, not familiar with that toyota but, is there any wiggle room where you don't have to drop everything down to get at that O-ring?
Also might want to search the NHTSA data base to see if there were any recalls for the part in question. And lastly, there's the dealership (big groan) if the parts counter guy is a bit friendly he might know of some short cut.
Otherwise, multiple layers of thin gloves will give your fingers more dexterity than a thick pair when you start wrenching.
I'd take it to a shop and write the check assuming I could afford it. Sometimes it just doesn't pay to do the work yourself. Especially when you factor in working in a driveway, on gravel, in december, with hand tools, etc, b!tch, whine, complain.
would it be easier to loosen the engine mounts and hoist/jack the engine up to clear the front diff and crossmember?
When I did the time chain on the funky pickup I tried pulling the pan to get at whatever was left of the timing guides in the bottom of the pan. I pulled all 20 or so bolts from the pan and couldn't get that crossmember off. You will likely need an impact to get it off, I broke a socket trying myself. It was really great smearing RTV on the pan hoping that everything sealed since I couldn't get that crossmember off. It sealed somehow though.
Good luck, sounds even funner with a 4wd.
Would it not be easyer just to pull the motor?
