i am in the middle of a timing belt job, and i just noticed this while taking off the front timing covers this morning:



here's two more pics showing more of the same cover warped out of shape:

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/l...a/CIMG1553.jpg
http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/l...a/CIMG1555.jpg

this is the most in depth motor job i have taken on so far. i popped my valve cover cherry a few days ago to replace a leaking cam seal plug, and now i am working on the timing belt/tensioner/water pump replacement.

it looks like the only way to replace this is to remove the cam gears from the cam shafts. i guess i could cut away the parts that are rubbing. i haven't removed the spark plugs yet to help me keep the timing lined up. my plan was to pull the plugs after i have the new belt on and i am ready to turn the crank a few times to make sure the timing stays true.

i am wondering what you guys think i should do. i haven't read about this happening before, and i am not sure how much damage i could do if i cut away some of the plastic to allow unrestricted movement. i don't want to take the cam gears off simply because it intimidates me and introduces a whole lot more room for a timing error when i put everything back together.

here's the parts and prices:

http://www.acuraoemparts.com/delray/...All&vinsrch=no

i guess one advantage to pulling the gears off would be to replace #24 seals. thanks for reading.

 

still thinking about this. does the valve cover hold this plastic in place? perhaps someone installed the valve cover incorrectly previously and bent this plastic.

 

as far as i am aware, no, the valve cover actually ends at the gasket, the rest is just a cap so that it keeps dirt out of the timing case

 

guaranteed the covers are just on crooked. take them off and check um out.

 

i took the cover off this morning, and there's no way it can be on crooked. there's two bolts that hold it in place, and if they are both snug, there's no way to move the cover without bending it.

my back cover is warped. i found out there is no way to get the cover off without removing the cam gears or breaking the cover. i used my heat gun to weaken the plastic so i could bend it out of the way, and i cut the pieces touching the cam gears off. basically, i cut down to where the rubber gasket on the back of the cover starts.

i have no idea how this cover could be so bent out of shape, other than maybe someone tried removing it previously without removing the cam gears. if you try to force it out, that's exactly how the top of the cover begins to bend.

ok, so there's my update. this thread can sink back into obscurity.

 

Just remove the cam gears, you already have everything else off that is in the way.

I'd be more concerned with a hacked timing cover breaking and cutting the timing belt to shreds.

 

but then i have to order a new back cover and wait for it to come in from california before i can do anything else including putting the new water pump on. i don't want to let my motor sit like this much longer i have rags stuffed everywhere to keep bugs and dirt out as is.

i considered the cover breaking, and i think if it hasn't already done that it won't be ripped apart after i make more room for the belt and gears. the belt i took off was in surprisingly good shape. the only indication of wear was some slight dry rot cracks along the sides. now that i removed some plastic i feel better about the clearance. i hate the idea of not replacing the cover, but this is my first timing job and i don't want to introduce any more variables than i already have. if i get everything back together and running properly i will feel better about replacing this cover some day down the road. if it didn't break the old and worn belt, it probably won't break a brand new one.

plus, now that i am aware of this issue, i can check up on it to see if the condition deteriorates.

 

I was hearing a loud knocking noise coming from the tire area. Checked the bearings, wheel well covers, rims, nothing was obstructing the tire or underneath.
Curiously removed everything and plain as day, the timing belt back cover warped and rubbing the cam gears. Obviously put on incorrectly (maybe to tight?). I decided to cut the part of the cover that was hitting the gears and noise still exists. Now I have to remove everything again and cut more of the cover. Mechanics want to much to remove it properly and replace. This sucks! It's now the second time this has happened!

 

The cover can be left off, if you get it removed just leave it off or cut more away.

 

Thank you your reply.
What would you suggest using to cut this hard plastic? I've removed most of the cover except the front bottom. Bolts are stripped, so I used a hot knife to cut around the bolts. Can't use the hot knife to cut the inside lip of the cover, gets too close to the belts.

 

I recently did this job on my B18 and there are numerous spots on my covers chafing as well. Back upper top cover at the cam sprockets. And one spot behind the crank pulley on the lower cover. As they get older and exposed to heat, they obviously warp. I really don't think this will effect anything working. It will wear them to a point and stop.

 

Maybe a dremel rotary cutting tool, Or take your time and pull off the crank pulley and timing belt and remove the back cover completely.

 

A straight type hacksaw would work. You can buy them at Home Depot.