legacycentral bbs

So the t-belt cover on the passenger head is fucked up. while doing my engine, I failed to remove one bolt holding the timing cover back to the head, and when i went to remove the cover, it broke. doesnt really bother me cause that piece was also warped and showed signs of rubbing on the belt and the cam pulley.

So Im wondering if I can get away with running without that piece? The center pieces and the section that covers the drivers side cam are still good.

-Brian

I ran without that exact same piece for awhile, but I had the same question and decided to follow the advice of others on this board and put the piece back on/find a replacement piece.

You'll probably be ok for running around town and whatnot, but if you're going on a long trip or something then you should get one. All it takes is one rock or something to wedge its way in there...

as long as an object such as a pole or rod or something dosnt jam through your radiator, you will be fine. I ran with no timing belt cover whatsoever all summer and had no problems.....

If a rod or pole jams through your grille/bumper, A/C condenser, and radiator, I have a hard time believing that the timing belt cover will save you.....

My old Jetta didn't even have a closed timing belt like these cars do. It probably helps for the longevitity of the belt to keep it clean, but unless you sink your car in 2ft of sand or do doughnuts in pea gravel, there's really not much risk of anything getting fudged up with the entire cover missing for years that I could see.

That said, Subaru had it there for a reason, so just relax for now but still get a replacement when you can

Ive run cars both ways, cover on stock and no cover on adjustable cams and I never noticed any difference in belt life or safety. You would really have to be doing something extreme to cause a problem there.

I've been running naked on my SVX for 8 months/20,000miles.

The cam wheels have acquired a light coat of rust on the areas where they don't contact the belt, I have another set that I plan to coat and replace them with when the weather is nice.

I also carry a spare belt and pre-set tensioner just in case

We've been naked on the racer and it makes it so much quicker to service anything up front. I've replaced the waterpump in less than 30 minutes

i have been runnin my car with out either side for the last 2 years i think ull be fine

Lots of EA guys do it. Just keep an extra belt with the tools laying around so you can replace it in 15 minutes.