So I was changing the oil yesterday on my 02 Civic ex (D17A2), and as i was sliding out from under my car i noticed some damage near my crank pulley. Further inspection and research led me to discovering that its the lower timing cover that is shredded. No idea how it happened. Anyways, im planning on replacing the valve cover gasket and a few other parts next weekend, so its a good time to replace the lower cover as well. I know i have to remove the crank pulley to get to the lower cover, but do i also need to remove the upper cover? Do i need to jack up the engine or anything? Ive watched quite a few videos and read some forum threads and i havent seen anything specific regarding just lower cover replacement. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

It can be replaced by itself but if you're doing the valve cover then the top can also pull away to make it easier . They are both independent of that one bracket , the lower dust shroud hunk of plastic may make it easier once removed , the plastic pins pop out and can be reused in most cases . You can borrow the pulley tool from an auto parts store you'll need 2 1/2" drive ratchets and a cheater bar , it's at 140 ft/lbs or something like that but it'll give with some brute force . , the covers are a dealer item or go on line prices should be close . I use purple degreaser it works well , water soluble doesn't stink and is environmentally safe . The 04 civic I have had that lower cover tore up also , maybe a belt breaks and tears it up not sure but you don't want dirt and crap in there for sure .

 

Thanks alot man. Already ordered the cover from a honda dealer online, and it was only like 20 bucks. ive got my tool list covered. Gonna try to use an impact gun from my work to get the nut off, but ive read mixed results with that, so ill have the ratchets and cheater bar as backup and to torque the nut when i put it back on. My main concern was not having to lift/support the engine, cuz the videos i watched all involved taking off the motor mount to get to the timing belt, and i wasnt sure if just replacing the cover also involved that. But you cleared it up for me. Ill also get some purple degreaser cuz the whole point of the work im doing is to fix some oil leaks, and that will help me see where other issues may be after i finish up this project. Thanks again man