SteveT2008

Hi


Is it possible to remove the top timing belt cover without removing the valve cover? To make story short the former owner of my 1999 Honda civic, dx sedan, 1.6, doesn't remember if he had changed the timing belt. I plan to inspect the timing belt but I don't wish to remove to much thinks to reach the timing belt.

eghatch9295

iTrader: (1)

no

TomCat39

Not without breaking things.

Since you have to remove the valve cover, the thing to remember is get some non chlorinated brake cleaner to clean the valve cover gasket with and the mating surfaces. And then a little "The Right Stuff" by permatex in the 4 corners of the humps and you won't leak even though you are reusing the valve cover gasket.

I've done this at least 4 times on my current gasket and it's still leak free.

SteveT2008

Thanks TomCat for your advices. The engine of my civic is really clean. this is the reason why I try to remove the timing belt cover without removing the valve cover. But It's not a big deal if I really have to remove the valve cover for the timing belt.

slogfilet

iTrader: (1)

Just be very careful when tightening the valve cover bolts back on. Spec is only 7lbs, I believe. They can be trouble.

TomCat39

X2

I've already had to replace one of the valve cover studs and I always use a torque wrench and stay under 10 ft-lbs. Even then they can cause grief. It is indeed 7 ft-lbs on the 92-95 D-series at least.

SteveT2008

Thank Tomcat and Slogfilet for the advices. I never have much luck with old valve gasket so I ordered a set of valve and spark plug gasket from ebay. I'm going to inspect the timing belt next week when I have more free time and I will make a very good cleaning around the cover before remove it. I'm little bit paranoid about sands and dirt.

TomCat39

Here is the trick I do, I spray paper towel with the brake cleaner then I pull the gasket through the towel as I loosely grip the wet towel to the gasket.

Then for the mating surface, I take paper towel, spray brake clean on it and then wipe all the flat surface the gasket touches.

The I take some more paper towel, spray it with brake clean and then wipe the wet paper towel through the gasket groove on the valve cover.

The brake clean displaces oil and evaporate residue free.

This allows the gasket rubber to mate to both metals (cover and head) cleanly without any oil.

Sand and dirt is only an issue if you leave the cover off for a day/night and in wind storms.

It's also a good idea to clean the outside of the valve cover to some degree if it's really grimy and dirty to keep any dirty grime from falling into the head when you take it off and put it on.