center timing belt cover

[Jason97GS-T]

I just recently bought this car and it looks like the previous owner couldn't get the center timing belt cover off so it looks like they snaped it. My questions are

how hard is it to take off and replace?

Would i have to take out the motor just for the center timing belt cover?

Also does the upper timing belt cover slide right over the center timing belt cover?

Thanks for any help.

 

[kahl23]

They arent that hard to replace, but it's possible that you have a 6-bolt swapped car and that the timing cover was cut to clear the different style motor mounts of a 2g. Do you have a pic?

 

[Jason97GS-T]

Here are some pics.

 

[kahl23]

I'm sorry I can't tell from that. If it helps it isnt that hard to replace a timing belt cover, I can have mine on or off in about 30 minutes, but it might take you longer if you've never done it before. You might want to remove the driver side front wheel, that will help things out a lot.

 

[Grimis]

only way to get that off its to remove that motor mount. Prop up the motor under neath, jack and some blocks of wood, then remove the 2 nuts and the bolt (might be able to swing the mount out of the way if not remove the single bolt holding it in) then you need to double nut thouse studs to remove them, then its just a few bolts (from what im seeing) to remove the broken part. I know, It looks like my old one, and had to do above my self.

About 15/30min job if that.

 

[turbosax2]

Follow the steps Grimis gave to replace the cover. You might be able to get away with just removing the front motor mount stud. Try replacing the cover after you remove the front stud, and if it still can't fit in then remove the rear stud too.

 

[romeen]

You will also need to remove the accessory belts and crank pulley. If the belts are in bad shape now is a good time to replace them.

As previously mentioned, remove the left front wheel and the plastic splash shield for easier access to that area.

 

[Grimis]

You will also need to remove the accessory belts and crank pulley. If the belts are in bad shape now is a good time to replace them.

i did't have to remove mine but if they are cracked or peeling, migth as well, but i did't have to remove mine.

 

[romeen]

i did't have to remove mine but if they are cracked or peeling, migth as well, but i did't have to remove mine.

Maybe the 2G is set up differently (I have a 6 bolt). How did you remove the lower cover with the crank pulley still on?

 

[turbosax2]

He's only replacing the middle cover, not the lower cover.

 

[romeen]

OK. My 6 bolt motor doesn't have a middle cover. Just the top one and a lower one which apparently would be like the middle and lower covers of a 2G put together.

 

[turbosax2]

That's right. Mitsubishi wised up for the 2g's and made the cover 2 pieces for easier removal and installation.

 

[romeen]

That's right. Mitsubishi wised up for the 2g's and made the cover 2 pieces for easier removal and installation.

It's funny you say that. When I did the t-belt I thought about cutting the lower cover to make it 2 pieces and make things easier. The one piece really is a PITA to r/r.

Thanks for the clarification.

 

[turbosax2]

Tom (blcknspo0ln) cut his in half.

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And IIRC, one of my friends cut his in half like that but uses a 2g middle cover on his 6 bolt so he didn't have to hack the area for the motor mount.

 

[Jason97GS-T]

turbosax2 can you please indicate which bolts i would have to remove for the center timing belt cover? Thanks

Also Do i need to take out the engine to remove the center timing belt cover?

Thanks for the help everyone.

I am not very mechanicly incline i usually take it in and pay a lot, but now i am trying to work on this car myself.

 

[snowborder714]

Take a look at this image taken from the timing belt VFAQ. You can see the line through the middle of the cover that shows where the two pieces separate. No, you don't need to remove the engine to remove any parts of the timing belt cover. You just may have to move it around or pull a bit to get it out.

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[turbosax2]

1. Put a jack under the oil pan and snug the jack up so the engine is supported. Make sure to put a piece of wood between the pan and the jack to prevent denting the pan.
2. Remove the 2 bolts and 2 nuts for the motor mount. The two nuts and 1 bolt are circled, the 2nd bolt is not pictured but I put an arrow pointing to where it's at.

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3. Remove the motor mount from the car. It will take some persuading but it will come. Use the jack to lower/raise the engine as needed. Remember, there are still 3 other mounts holding the engine/trans in so don't try to raise it too far up.
4. Use the double nut method to remove the stud that is towards the front of the car.
5. Remove the bolts holding the middle cover in (see post above mine).
6. Try to remove cover from car. If it still won't come out then remove the 2nd engine mount stud using the double nut method.
7. Put everything back in, torque all bolts/nuts.
8. Get an upper timing belt cover to put on.

 

[Jason97GS-T]

i already bought the upper timing belt cover, thinking that is all i need, so now i just need to order the center cover. Thanks a lot everyone for your input. i will update when installed