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Ok, well I have been wondering.. Is it safe to drive the car around without the timing belt cover?

My dad doesn't want me to, but I have seen pictures of neons with the belt covers off and I'm installing a new cam and adjustable cam gear.

I guess I'm just asking for opinions on this subject.

Thanks guys
-Chris

I've seen hundreds of cars without anything protecting the timing belt and gear(s), so I assume it's somewhat safe for a DD. However, it's not exactly a portion of the engine you want to risk, since breaking a timing belt often means valve to piston friendship.

wow. i just had a vision. someone with a vaccum table should make clear ones. that would be dope

i was wondering the same thing, in for opinions.

Unless you plan on making the engine bay "show". I would leave it on. Small debris isn't good in between timing belt and cam gear.

To save some searching...

Shamelessly stolen from Chtear's Project Log:









There is going to be a lot more visible to keep clean. Also the cables/hoses that are near the area will need to be supported well away. John removed the PS on his, so that cleaned thing up a bit.

Plus there is the risk of losing a finger, etc., while the engine is running. With general common sense, and extra awareness, this shouldn't be a problem. Just don't leave it running with little kids around.

As for driving it, unless you are blasting down loose gravel roads with out a splash shield, it should be fine. I drove my Omni for many miles with out a cover, because it was broke, and I didn't have the spare $ to replace it.

You just can't set stuff near that area while working, then forget about it.

If you go with a nice belt, and keep it tidy, I would go with no cover. Otherwise, just put it back on, and enjoy less to keep nice looking.

A clear cover would be great, if it was easily removed to keep the inside clean. Otherwise it will look like poo after 5,000 miles.

John's engine bay is so sick.

im going to be running the bottom half of the timing cover

Yeah, i was thinking about cutting the top out of the cover.

with how low i am, i dont want stones hitting the bottom of the belt.

now the real question is, does anybody make a quality red timing belt.

i dont have the top-half of my timing cover on

haha someone needs to make a clear one, and you really only need to clean the top of it. idk if it would be that big of problem

Just cut the top portion off, only the face where the gear will be showing, that way you can tune it.

Is this easy to take off?

Yay! I didn't have to whore Chtear for a change

Here's the deal...if your car is going to be a DD, do not run it without at least the lower cover. I don't even have the belt splash sheild on there, and there is a very high risk of debris/standing water/snow knocking the belt off. There is a sheild of sorts made into the water pump, but that doesn't cover the entire belt area.



This is what is exposed from the underside. Just about everything

My car is only driven when the weather is nice and I avoid rain if possible. I will be running a lower cover once the 2.4 swap is done.

So long story short, if you run no lower cover on a street driven car, you roll the dice.

Oh, and as a side note, my P/S is back on....







The lines have been run in a different way so as not to be near the timing belt.

heydockyle wrote:John's engine bay is so sick.

Thank you sir

WEAK JOHN WEAK! So disappointed in you.

What can I say...I'm a pussy

my view on this is that considering where most of you live i wouldn't take it off, or at least leave the bottom half on. i know where i live there is so much crap on the road that i have to repaint my lip kit every year cause the paint is sand blasted off, i wouldn't want that crap in my timing belt, but it does look pretty cool i must admit...

Haha, I'm just going to cut the top part off so I can adjust the cam.

Thanks for the input guys!

Haha that's the first I've noticed your badass overflow!
I broke the top half of mine accidentally so I ended up cutting the back part anyway but left the lower half just because of all the gravel roads up here in Michigan. Someone make a clear one or chrome with openings for the adj. Cam gears I'd buy it

gtxtreme19 wrote:Haha that's the first I've noticed your badass overflow!

Thanks! I am in need of a more sealed container though

They used to sell chrome ones for the 2.2 They were the cheesiest things ever.

I remember those. They seemed like your typical Mr. Gasket chrome crap.

+1 for a clear cover. Hey John did you do your own belt? Wanna help me do mine? I will give pats on the back.

Danteneon wrote:Yay! I didn't have to whore Chtear for a change

Does that make me teh Pimp?

randomZERO wrote:+1 for a clear cover. Hey John did you do your own belt? Wanna help me do mine? I will give pats on the back.

Sorry...I had to do that. I've done everything to this car myself (with Juan's help for some of it of course).

I'll be honest, it's a bitch of a job on a stock car. So much crap in the way

I can give you a hand, but it probably wouldn't be till next month before I have time

Let me know when you can that would be great. I have been working six day weeks and my dad isn't off the one day I am. I will buy you tacos and or beers. Maybe both

I'll PM you with some dates once I know what days I have available. Hit me up if you don't hear from me by the 5th of May

Better get him before the 5th, he'll be partying with Juan that day.