Haha I know. Process is not really much different than most you'll find. Its a matter of tools and memorization. For example, I guarantee I can remove the crank pulley faster than someone can remove the lower cover and bend and cram the belt in behind the pulley.

 

oh i gotcha. gonna keep this in mind when i find some time to do mine

 

Do you normally do the water pump too or leave it alone if no signs of leakage ??

Is there an tool / trick to get the crud out of the PCV passages in the block ??

 

I believe you. I have done maybe 9 of them. I'm sure you do maybe 15 per month. With that kind of practice I'm sure you can knock them out fast. Speed tools, things handy, etc.

I know I'm a slow worker. Took me 4 hours to get a head off today.

 

Heck, no one said do it for free. I'd be glad to pay someone to get the job done quicker.

I once told a dentist, "can you do all the work in an hour and go ahead and charge me for the next 4 visits? Don't want to waste all the time with the formalities."

 

I think the belt job is perceived by many as a stressful job (more than the PCV) due to the fact that you could mess up the engine if you make a mistake...
The PCV has the one bolt near the thermostat housing which is a "pig" the rest "goes along".
I also admit to be more relaxed when I do the PCV than the timing belt.

 

I leave the water pump alone on a car in for its first timing belt (unless it is leaking). I know the internet scares a lot of people into thinking it must be done at the same time, but in my experience, they really aren't that common to leak. I would estimate I have seen under 20 white block water pumps leak in my 10 years with Volvo. As for cleaning the PCV ports, nothing special there. Just cut a piece of a wire coat hanger and do the best I can. It will get down in there somewhat but if the port that goes down through the oil pan is plugged solid, there's nothing that can be done besides pulling the pan.

I wish I did 15 a month!

 

Argh, I wish there was a list out there with all these differences between years; With a 97, I don't have EGR, I don't have SAS in my airbox, but I do have an SAS hole on my downpipe, correct?

Thanks for all the info.