After spending several hours and finally breaking loose the crank bolt [e.g. using the breaker bar resting over a jack stand method, broke a socket extension]. But, there is another hump. In trying to remove the front [closest to the radiator] of the two 10mm bolts of the top cover of the timing belt, the bolt's plastic housing/tab [part of the inside top cover (between the cylinder head and the cam sprocket)] broke. I believe the housing held the bolt's barrel in place to secure the bolt. Now when trying to loosening the bolt, both the bolt and its barrel spin, which is not allowing the upper cover to be separated from the lower cover.

Any advice? Dremel the other tab still holding the barrel/bolt and replace both inside and outer upper covers?

 

I had to break the plastic tab that contains the sleeve bolt housing of the rear/back upper cover in order to remove the front upper cover. It cost alot for just a stupid back plastic cover plate. My question now is if there would be any issue if that left bolt tab area is without a bolt in the long term? So, the front upper cover would only be secured with only one bolt remaining.

Secondly, the rubber seal around the tensioner nut is missing. Would this be a problem?

Hoping someone have some advice. I have not seen any feedback over 24 hours.

BTW, this is on a 2000 Accord EX 2.3L F23a4


Illustration Pictures of Parts:
https://www.hondapartsnow.com/Page_Product/PartDetail.aspx?Vin=1HGCG6683YA089238&Filter=()&Su bCategoryUrl=camshaft-timing-belt&Diagram=

item #3
11820-P0A-000
Cover, Timing Belt (Upper)

item #4 [BUC]
11830-PAA-800
Cover, Timing Belt Back
*the area affected is the bolt hole to the left of #16

item #22
tensioner adjusting nut rubber seal

 

Ferris Bueller...Anyone, anyone?

 

do to engine heat and age these are prone to break..its fine missing a couple tabs..the grommet that your missing on the tensioner helps to keep the cover that balloons with age from scraping on the accessory pulley. It's fine without it also..if you have OCD and **** about perfection you can find these parts at and junkyard for a couple of buck's.. Any 98-02 4 cylinder will work..

 

stealership quoted $95 for the back plate. WHOAAAAAAA! Fortunately, I found a replacement at a Pick N Pull junkyard as well as the rubber seal. Thanks