Changing 22RE Timing chain guide
 

Does the entire timing chain cover need to be removed to access the two bolts that hold on the plastic guide on the drivers side of the vehicle? I'm in the process of doing a head gasket and was wondering what's going to be involved in changing a broken guide?

Thanks in advance!!

Pull the cover for access. Second screw is way down there.

Yes the entire cover needs to come off. There is a bolt hidden in the pool of oil under the valve cover that goes through the head into the timing cover, and 2 or 3 (can't remember) that go through the oil pan into the bottom of the cover. Once you get all the crap out of the way the guides are easily replaced by pulling two bolts each, putting the new one on and tightening it down. Make sure you have a torque wrench, I did mine by feel and it took a bit of fine tuning to stop the oil leaks, mostly at the oil pan. 4Crawler has a great write up about doing a t-chain and IIRC he also has a few links on his page to other timing chain pages.

If you want your best chance at a leak free assembly, it's best to have the head and oil pan off when you pull the timing cover, which has to come off to replace the guides, timing chain, tensioner and sprokets, which should all be changed as a set.

Isn't it amazing how projects like this grow until they seem to have a life of their own.:pop:

Assuming you've removed fan, shroud, pulley etc, I think the easiest way would be to
1. loosen off the oil pan
2. remove valve cover and undo hidden bolt in oil pool (12mm???)
3. undo timing cover bolts (KEEP TRACK OF WHERE THEY GO- they are different lengths
4. change your chain and put her back together. Use gasket maker on the oil pan

I think that's basically it, best of luck

If you decide to do this without removing the head....
 

before you remove the timing cover remover the oil pump and the sleeve on the crankshaft that drives the oil pump. This will buy you a little more wiggle room. You are not going to have much so any more you can get is better.