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I've done a lot of searching but I can't seem to figure out how the engine should be supported when replacing the oil pump. As I understand the process the timing belt needs to be removed and also the oil pan. All of the timing belt steps I've seen involve removing the front engine mount and supporting the engine with a block under the oil pan. Which would make it a little difficult to remove. Could I just reconnect the front engine mount while changing the oil pump and pan and then remove it again when reinstalling the timing belt? I don't have a hoist or anything to hang the engine from.

Back story:
It's time to do the timing belt anyway but I also have an oil leak coming from the lower timing belt cover. I've read several threads where that leak ended up being the oil pump o-ring. I haven't been in there to look but I wanted to go ahead and replace that anyway even if it doesn't end up being the source of the leak. I'm already planing on replacing the cam and crank seals as well as the valve cover gasket and plug seals. I just want to be thorough and get everything.

 
Rep Power: 518

Care to supply helpful information like model, year, engine, trans?

Wait, I'll guess here.....

Let the engine hang down after you pull the pan, then pull the pump out.
It's probably got 2 or 3 other mounts, it probably won't fall out of the car.

 
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They make a tool to support from the top... Or use cherry picker/ hoist... Or do like I did and make the tool from three pieces of wood and a ratchet strap

 
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Google engine support tool.. I just used two short vertical pieces of 2x4 and another horizontal price.. All scraps... Deck screws... Bolt into head.... Ratchet strap.... Viola...

Used it for pulling trans on 01 civic ex. Held the engine up for 4 months that way

 
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Sorry, I completely forgot. It's an 02 EX d17a2.

Thanks for the ideas. Is something like this what you were talking about? Is that more or less how you set it up?

 
Rep Power: 518

That would be great for lifting the engine up while the pan is off, but I'd let that sucker drop as far as it will go to do the work.
It can only drop a couple inches anyway before the compressor sits on the subframe.