Mitsubishi Delica Owners Club UK™

[exarkun]

I will be replacing the timing chain this week and and doing it the 'long way' by pulling off the timing cover.  

Is it really necessary to remove the sump to get the timimg cover off?  It has been a few year since I did it last and I just Can't remember.

[Google]

[skodarapid]

Been a few years since I did this but I remember regretting leaving the sump in place. The timing cover is effectively clamped between the sump and the head/headgasket so upon instaling the cover again you would make a mess of the headgasket locally.  So then you loosen off the sump bolts to drop it slightly to give you some clerance, and of course the RTV sealant gives up.
Also the sump inevitably catches bits of muck while you work above it, such as sealant scrapings from the block, that you really don't want in the oil system.  So I would just take it off but it's a frustrating job in itself.
I wrote all this assuming you're talking about the 2.8 engine.