So my car has been running like crap. I thought the timing was off so I went and took the valve cover off, then I think one of those stupid grommets fell down into where the timing belt gear things are at. Arghh. So then I tried setting the timing of the belt but now I can't seem to get it to stretch at all even when I loosen the tensioner. I did it a ton of times and still wouldn't work. I bet that goddam grommet got stuck somewhere. So now I gotta get all that off. So is there any way to get that cover off without taking off the crank pulley? If I have to take off the pulley what is the best way, my impact wrench sucks and can't even get off a lug nut so that thing won't be of any help to me. It looks like if I stuck a bolt into one of the holes in it it might hold it for me to crack that bolt loose. Arghh. So do you think that is what I'm going to have to to do. If I do I might as well replace my timimg belt.

 

nope you gotta take the pulley off. see https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=514313

 

If I leave the car in gear in whatever the opposite way the engine turns would that keep the pulley from turning?

 

You *might* be able to fish out the grommet from the bottom of the timing belt cover. Loosten up the 2 bottom screws and see if you could work it out.

As for removing the belt, as long as your tensioner is loostened, and by looking at the pic below, you can see all of the *play* will be on the back half of the belt. Trying to pull some slack from the front will get you nowhere, you're fighting the sprockets.

 

Hmmm really good idea about trying to get it to come out the bottom, I might try that. Cuz my timing belt and all that junk isn't that old and spending all the money to replace it and the water pump, well I just don't have the cash at the time. I just want my car to run!

Also the front you say is the side without the water pump and all that stuff? Maybe that is why, I kept pulling it from the side where the water pump and stuff is.

I set the timing before and had no real trouble. I can't believe it was taking this much work to do it after I already knew how.