MACS Service Reports - 2016 - MAY2

on one end, a 19 mm on the other, which can fit in from the
top. Ditto for an SP/Schley tool for 2006-on Honda Civic
and 2003-on Element, making it also worth the investment.
(Figures 2A, 2B).
* Fan clutch tools. Sets to fit all the popular applications
have been available in the aftermarket for years, because
independent shops not only service the pickup trucks that
have them, but are among the best customers for pickups.
Lisle Corp. and OTC Tools sell packages.
* Water pump tools. Those pumps driven off a timing belt
or chain are a bear, and jury-rigging a way to hold either the
pump or the pump sprocket and chain for pump replacement is always risky - it's a lot easier with the right tool. A
couple that are available in the aftermarket, so worth keeping in mind: Lisle Corp (lislecorp.com) has a crowfoot-like
41 mm wrench that lets you come in at a right angle (clearing the chassis) for the Chevy Aveo 1.6-liter four, to hold
the pump while you change the timing belt. It also has a
sprocket and chain holder for water pump replacement on
the high-volume GM Ecotech four-cylinder. (Figures 3, 4). ■

Lisle Corp.

A related service issue is the total assembly. More and
more systems are coming from outside suppliers, and the
normal approach is to produce components that most costeffectively integrate as much as possible. That only leads
to many "parts in assembly," a subject we discussed in the
September, 2015 issue, but enables the vehicle engineers to
locate it in a less-accessible place, including under the dash.
That approach means that only a single component (such as
a complete HVAC case) has to be installed on the assembly
line.
Okay, now you know the reasons, what you care about
is what to do about it. The general rule is to review the service procedure in your electronic information system to see
if there's a special tool requirement. Only occasionally is
a special tool number listed that is easily substituted with
wrenches you're likely to have or be able to assemble. A couple of areas you should know are serpentine belts and those
timing belt and chain-driven water pumps.
* Serpentine belts. Very few are totally accessible. You
probably have one of those multi-tool "universal" sets of serpentine wrenches. But there also are some special wrenches
that can make a job a lot faster and easier. Example: most
Toyota four-cylinders (Camry since 2002, Highlander since
2001 and RAV-4 since 2004) normally have to be done from
underneath, and it can be a struggle. SP/Schley (sptool.
com) makes a specially shaped wrench with a 14 mm socket

Figure 3: Crowfoot-type wrench works with ratchet and extension as shown
to hold water pump on 1.6-liter Chevy Aveo four-cylinder, while providing
clearance from chassis.

SP/Schley

Lisle Corp

Figure 2A: SP tool for removing serpentine belt from top of engine compartment on wide range of Honda models, including Civic and Element.

Figure 2B: Comparable SP tool for Toyota models also permits serpentine belt
service from top of engine compartment.

May 2016

Figure 4: Special tool for GM Ecotec engine is readily available to hold sprocket and timing chain for water pump replacement.

MACS Service Reports

http://www.lislecorp.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of MACS Service Reports - 2016