Finished timing belt, than found this in the coolant container. Where does it go

[Brian3676]

Just finished my timing belt, water pump, crank seal and all that. Drove it around, went to clean up and found this in the coolant container, must have fallen out and I did not notice. Anyone know where it goes and if it's hard to put back in? I can't find any holes in the cover so it must be inside the cover... important enough that I should take it back apart?

 

[Victor]

Ahhh. I'm sorry to tell you, but that is one of the first pieces to be installed after the new waterpump is installed. It sits on the driver side of the vehicle, right beside the water pump. It's essentially a filler-cover piece for the timing belt/water pump. You can dissasemble to the point before the t-belt comes off and you can slip it on.

Cheers

 

[Brian3676]

Pretty sure I found it in my pictures. Unless someone says it's important im leaving it out.

 

[Brian3676]

Ahhh. I'm sorry to tell you, but that is one of the first pieces to be installed after the new waterpump is installed. It sits on the driver side of the vehicle, right beside the water pump. It's essentially a filler-cover piece for the timing belt/water pump. You can dissasemble to the point before the t-belt comes off and you can slip it on.

Cheers

Yea I just realized where it goes. You think it's important enough to spend the time to put it back in? Thanks for the reply!

 

[Victor]

Yea I just realized where it goes. You think it's important enough to spend the time to put it back in? Thanks for the reply!

If it was my 4Runner, I would curse, moan, complain then end up putting back in. I do wheel the 4Runner, sometimes if I can't avoid a deep water crossing that'll be piece of mind knowing it is there, than deal with debris getting in there. Nothing bad will happen right away, stuff may get in there and may lead to concerns further down the road.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

It is part of the cover(s) for the timing belt, so I would want that belt as covered up as possible; but I suppose you can leave it off if you want?

The good news is you should be able to get it on without having to tear down the front too much (just the fan clutch bracket I imagine.)

On a side note, it seems like more than half the people on this forum forget about that damn little guy (myself included on occasion! lol)

 

[Brian3676]

I'll see if I can slide it in without draining any coolant. If I have to drain coolant than it will likley wait for another weekend. Thanks for all the advice!