How absolutely necessary is a timing belt cover???

[OnMyWayTo12Secs]

Hey guys, I need your opinion, i am building my motor, and as of now I do not own a timing chain cover. How absolutely necessary is it, and what are the risks of not having it??? Any and all advice is much appreciated!

 

[Jingx284]

a rock might lodge itself in a pulley and then youll jump timing.....

although, i did it for about a week.

 

[Snobordin8]

Like ^ said, all it takes is one little rock to get wedged in there. Mine didn't have a cover when I bought it so I used the one off my old gsx, which is red, and my car is orange, but it just eases my mind to know its on there.

 

[AWDtsi1995]

Hey guys, I need your opinion, i am building my motor, and as of now I do not own a timing chain cover. How absolutely necessary is it, and what are the risks of not having it??? Any and all advice is much appreciated!

Very important! Without it your taking the chance of major engine damage if something gets in there. Some people do without the top cover and normaly dont have a problem but if i was you put one on.

and its a timing belt not chain.

 

[wret]

Short-term, the risk of damage will be close to zero. Long-term, the odds may catch up with you.

 

[1993eclipseGS]

It's like sleeping with a prostitue. You won't realize what you've done until it's too late. If you need a timingbelt cover, I got one from my 91awd. You can pm me if interested, As I will keep this thread on topic.

 

[dwc4g63]

your question answers itself..How absolutely necessary is a timing belt cover??? ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY!

 

[92GSXBaltimore]

im sure there are going to people who reply to this thread saying, "Ive ran without one for 30 years and had no problem", but they are lucky. Its a game of chance, the odds are high youll be fine, but its a $500-$1,000 risk Im not willing to take, just to show off my cam gears or whatever. I mean seriously, there are 3 bolts that hold it on....its not like access to the cam gears is that big of a deal.

 

[BaddAssGst]

im sure there are going to people who reply to this thread saying, "Ive ran without one for 30 years and had no problem", but they are lucky. Its a game of chance, the odds are high youll be fine, but its a $500-$1,000 risk Im not willing to take, just to show off my cam gears or whatever. I mean seriously, there are 3 bolts that hold it on....its not like access to the cam gears is that big of a deal.

I think he was referring to the lower cover but as far as the upper cover, I would tell you all to put it on but I have 3 of them and don't use one at all. Preference I guess.

 

[Talesin]

Pain in the butt is, none of the local junkyards will sell them. They rebuild the engines. I ended up with two turbo bolts breaking, and melted the crap out of my upper cover.. so I'm running without until I can find one that I can just drive down and pick up, without going to Satan. :b

 

[MikeCordell]

I picked up my car in pieces and am rebuilding it. I found rub marks on the belts halfway through them from the cover. Considering it isn't on there very well to begin with, its coming off. Take it for what it's worth. I've never even driven a DSM.

 

[Bo0O0ostedDSM]

It came from the factory with that cover for a reason... if a pebble gets in there and blows your timing your screwed.

I say, keep it on.