93SSPHatch

I have a 93 CX. . and I want to check the status of my timing belt. Do I have to completely remove the head to take off the upper half of the timing belt shield? Last night, I undid the two screws at the bottom of the upper half. . .and I wasn't able to remove the cover.

93SSPHatch

ttt

DragII

take off the valve cover

M-EJ1

you have to take the valve cover off to get that upper timing belt cover off there. Don't have to take off the whole head though...

just make sure when you put the valve cover back on that you don't break any of the bolts (unless you want to be an idiot like me )

93SSPHatch

Is there any special way to remove the valve cover? What tool(s) am I going to need? Does the engine need to be cool?

whatcivic

Unplug the negative battery terminal. Then off the spark plug caps. Make sure you mark them first so you know which goes into which sparkplug. Disconnect your vacum line. Undo the ground wire. Unscrew all the screws around the valve cover( should be 8). Make sure you don't drop any nuts into the spark plug chambers. Remove the rubber washers and carefully lift the valve cover. Thats it . Oh yeah - the engine should be cool. All you need is a 10mm socket.(I think)


[Modified by whatcivic, 6:23 AM 5/30/2002]

93SSPHatch

I am a complete newbie to engine repair and maintenance. . .where is the vacuum line located? Sorry for the stupid question. . .but I don't want to screw anything up!
Thanks for putting up with the stupid q's!

whatcivic

It's the rubber hose coming from your intake piping to the valve cover - the only hose connected to the valve cover. When putting on your valve cover you might want to change the valve cover gasket and make sure you silicone all the bends(corners).


[Modified by whatcivic, 6:29 AM 5/30/2002]

93SSPHatch

Thank you! Hopefully this will go smoothly. . .I am going to attempt the removal tomorrow.


[Modified by 93SSPHatch, 10:29 PM 5/29/2002]

Zer0DazE

once you have the timing belt cover off, use a dremel to cut away the piece that goes under the valve cover... not too much, just enough so its flush. it will save you time in the future

Ricey McRicerton

If your planning to take all of this off to check, just go ahead and replace the belt. It's like $20 from Honda, and they look pretty good until they skip a tooth. My uncle's accord (86) jumped the timing belt and everything looked great except for the one tooth that was ripped off. Better to be safe than sorry!

93SSPHatch

I'm pretty sure I don't have the mechanic knowledge to change my timing belt. . .i wish i did, I would save me about $500!

93SSPHatch

I was reading in my Hayne's manual that I should place RTV sealant in the corners of the valve cover whenever I take it off and put it back on. Is this necessary. . .or is it just a good idea?

flat-blk-HB

To tell you the truth I dont use silcone every time I pull my valve cover off. Mine doesnt leak oil either.

DRxCIVIC

is it that hard to change out the timing belt b/c i think i'm about due for a new belt... oh btw i have a haynes book should that make the process easier?

whatcivic

You should use the sealant in the corners. That is the main place that oil is gonna leak.

93SSPHatch

I was looking today. . and I noticed that there was dried oil all around the front of the valve cover. . .this probably means new valve cover gasket. I went to try and remove the cover today. . .but I could pull it off. . .everything was unscrewed and unattached. The engine was still warm. . does this have anything to do with it?