D16y8 engine. I did a timing job a month ago on my car so I know all is good. Head gasket is starting to leak though...

My question, when I get the upper timing cover off is there anyway to loosen the tensioner pulley through the lower timing cover hole and can I just pop my timing belt off the camshaft sprocket vs taking the lower timing cover off and having to take the whole timing belt off?

Thank you for your time

 

Yes. Just loosen the tensioner bolt, push it aside, re tighten it to lock it in the loose position.

It may be a pain to line everything up again if the belt drops down a bit. You may he better off removing the timing cover. You'll still need to remove the belts and the upper motor mount anyway.

 

I'm using something like this, no need to remove the lower cover.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Antique-Socket-Style-Wrench-FORD-A-B-Special-Use-615-2-/151319900008?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item233b5e6f68

 

My procedure is to put a jack on the oil pan, remove both mounts, and lower the engine enough to put a ratchet up in that areas.

The only extra step there is to remove the 2 14mm head bolts that hold the torque mount to the chassis. The rest of the business needs to come off anyway.

You can then jack the motor back up, bolt the torque mount in to support the engine, and go to work on the head gasket.

 

Hmm, good to know. I didn't pay attention when changing out my timing belt, so for dseries you need to remove the driver side post mount in order to remove the head.

 

No need to remove lower timing cover. I actually just finished up a HG change on my y7 yesterday.

I marked the tooth of the timing belt with white out on each side of the timing marks of the camshaft before loosening the tension bolt. When reinstalling, line up cam shaft marks with corresponding white out marks, retension belt, check timing and done!

 

This procedure seems to be only valid on the OBD2x (96+) engines.

On my 95 stock motor I don't see any access to the tensioner without pulling the crank pulley so as to remove the lower cover. I could be missing it but pretty sure on OBD1 motors it's all covered up.

 

they all have a little flap that allows for a 14mm socket...can be covered in dirt or never opened but I have yet to see one that didn't. Think about it why would they(Honda) make you remove the whole lower cover just to tighten the belt, it's there just got to look.

 

You must remove the rubber plug in the lower timing belt cover to gain access to the tensioner bolt.

 

Awesome guys, never noticed the plug. And what's funny is I've looked at that diagram I don't know how many times and missed that detail.

I think it's easy to miss when looking from top down due to it being recessed. I will take a closer look next time.

Thanks again!