Upper Cambelt Cover

[mikecg]

Hi can anyone tell me if it is possible to undo the middle bolt on the upper Cam Belt cover without having to take off the Engine mount?
I have recently bought my car and whilst it has had an awful lot of great work done on it, I have no history with the car and therefore do not know about the Cam Belt being changed.

Thanks,

Mike

[Enright]

With the right tools you can, but it's tricky. You may be best to get a jack under the sump (with a piece of wood to protect it), remove the bolt that goes through the middle then jack the engine up a bit to give you some more room.

[mikecg]

Thanks I will have a fiddle with what I have in my tool box and see if I can avoid the latter.

Regards,

Mike

[Simon_P]

I think I am right in saying that you can't.... and even if you could you still couldn't take the cover off.

[mikecg]

Is there another "easyish" way of inspecting the cam belt?

Thanks,

Mike

[Jamie N]

Mike, It can come off but needs a fair bit of manipulation, or you could just take the rocker cover off, its very easy and should let you see enough of the belt to give a rough idea of its condition, unless it was brand new you would be better of changing it regardless of how it looks, turn the crankshaft with a 17mm socket to inspect the full length of it.

[Specky]

As Enners says, take the weight of the engine from either above or below.

Whip the mount out, grind down a sump plug socket, that'll provide you with enough clearance and you'll also to put a spanner on it

[Simon_P]

without having to take off the Engine mount?

Whip the mount out,

If you take the mount off you may as well continue and change the belt.

The easiest way to view it is to remove the cam cover -as has been mentioned

[Specky]

without having to take off the Engine mount?

Whip the mount out,

If you take the mount off you may as well continue and change the belt.

The easiest way to view it is to remove the cam cover -as has been mentioned

Sorry to disappoint...

The easiest way is to see if you have a modified upper cam belt cover, many people have done this modification, removal will take minutes.

The next is to utilize the inspection hole, but only if you have access to remote viewing aids.

The next I'd say is to remove the mount, It's normally about 20-30 minute task to remove the upper and lower cam belt covers, this will enable someone to carry out a full visual inspection of the belts and also check the associated components for wear, in addition it will give better access to that part of the engine a general once over for seeps and leaks etc''... but It'll also have greater access to carry out deeper examinations should the need a rise.

If I was to remove the cam cover it would take 10 -15 mins and then I'd have to replace the seal, it's nearly guaranteed to be flattened or deformed and possibly nipped or torn (and its just good engineering practice). Then I'd have to inspect the full belt, so I'd have to crank the engine, so its either fit the cam cover again or hand crank it (spark plugs removed as there's not much ground clearance to work with), but other visual inspections would be limited.

I personally can not see a parallel to removing the bracket to undertaking a full cam-belt change, but one could also undertake the modification to the cam belt cover if they so wished.

Any task has its constraints, but ultimately it's cost, resources, time and Aptitude. when it comes to the crunch, it's just a simple bracket on the side of the engine which held on with a few bolts, hardly a complex task, but people hear the words "Engine mount", "Restricted Access" and get put off, sometimes the best method of removal is the one you're trying to avoid.

TTFN

[epipete]

Can you elaborate on the upper cover Modification please?

[HJ2]

... sometimes the best method of removal is the one you're trying to avoid...

TTFN

This!

[hodge]

Can you elaborate on the upper cover Modification please?

I think this refers to the middle bolt hole in the cover.
There is a projecting support/spigot behind the bolt hole which braces the cover against the engine body,it is this which prevents the easy removal of the cover.
I removed this 'spigot' when I changed the cambelt and covered the bolt hole. I think the cover is easily stiff enough at this point not to need this extra support and without it the upper cambelt cover can be removed by undoing the other 4 bolts and a bit of wriggling around, it helps if the plastic cover is warm*, so in cooler months you may be best warming it first.

* this makes the cover a little more flexible and easier to manoeuver.

[epipete]

Thank, Hodge. I'll remember this for next time.

[Simon_P]

Has anyone ever seriously contemplated inspecting the belt through the "inspection" hole? Seriously!

[HJ2]

Well nowadays you can reach in with an USB camera
Wasn't the hole supposed to set the timing belt tension?!

[John_W]

Wasn't the hole supposed to set the timing belt tension?!

Only if you're a midget gynaecologist who does contortionism for relaxation.

[HJ2]

I'll need google translate to get this in Dutch!

[Giniw]

Hello,
I just removed the cam belt cover yesterday evening and I remembered about that thread dealing with an inspection hole.
Well ... Where is it located?! I couldn't find it!
I don't need it anymore this time since I already removed the cover but still I am wondering
Thanks in advance !

[Enright]

The inspection hole is plugged by a rubber bung in the lower cambelt cover.
Realistically the easiest way to access it is by jacking up the front RHS and taking the wheel off.
Even then, it's still not very simple to use to inspect the cambelt, but with modern USB endoscopes it might be do-able.

[Giniw]

Thanks a lot!
Actually I just looked for it on the upper cam belt cover since I need to check my cam belt tension — first step before fitting a new hall effect sensor because of a 41 fault code but I digress.