Middle Timing Belt Cover Installation Question.

[Splitpi]

I am trying to figure out how to install the middle timing belt cover on my 2G. Have now had 2 of them break. My hope is that someone can provide some guidance and tell me what I missed, or what I am not doing. Because I cannot get the center screw attachment of the middle timing belt cover past the cam gears.

Here is what I had previously done.
1) Remove top timing belt cover.
2) Put a jack under the motor and put pressure on the motor to support it.
3) Removed center motor mount (see 2nd image below of what specifically was removed).
4) Loosened the Power Steering pump and slackened the accessory belt.

What am I doing wrong that won't allow me to get it on (see 1st Image below)?

Do I need to remove the engine mounted motor mount as well? And is that even possible with the space clearances against the fender while the engine is still in the car?

 

[OnMyWayTo12Secs]

I am pretty sure that that mount is suppose to be off for the timing belt installation, hence the supporting the engine part of vfaq.com, but im not totally sure.

 

[Splitpi]

I am pretty sure that that mount is suppose to be off for the timing belt installation, hence the supporting the engine part of vfaq.com, but im not totally sure.

Which mount? It has two parts, one that bolts to the side of the car and other peice that bolts directly to the motor and then those two peices are bolted together.

 

[OnMyWayTo12Secs]

Well i know theres two, but i would imagine iwth the engine supported, you could remove them both, and then replace them after the install.

 

[AnthonyS]

I also had a problem installing this cover even with the engine mount off. I cracked 2 covers. Just imaging how I felt taking the whole side of the engine apart, replacing the timing belt, balancing belt all cams, water pump etc. and the end of the repair, can’t get a plastic cover on without cracking it.

 

[Splitpi]

I also had a problem installing this cover even with the engine mount off. I cracked 2 covers. Just imaging how I felt taking the whole side of the engine apart, replacing the timing belt, balancing belt all cams, water pump etc. and the end of the repair, can't get a plastic cover on without cracking it.

I am currently in that predictament. What did you do to get it finally on? Did you remove both motor mounts (engine side and sidewall side of the side motor mount), the bottom timing belt cover, then slip on the middle timing belt cover. Next rebolt on the engine side motor mount, reattach the bottom timing belt cover, then the top?

In which case, how do you get the engine side motor mount off since clearance is an issue?

Or is it possible to knock the two long bolts out of the engine side of the motor mount? In which case it would be really easy as they are the real issue with the clearancing

 

[squeak104]

To get mine on we took the two long bolts out of the mount on the engine part after taking the motor mount off of the body. A pair of vice grips may work but we did it with the engine out. You can just use the two nuts that came off of the studs to double nut it and spin the bottom nut to get the studs to back out. The cover should go right on then. Then double nut it again and tighten the top nut to get it to tighten back down. Good luck.

 

[Turbocharged]

To get mine on we took the two long bolts out of the mount on the engine part after taking the motor mount off of the body. A pair of vice grips may work but we did it with the engine out. You can just use the two nuts that came off of the studs to double nut it and spin the bottom nut to get the studs to back out. The cover should go right on then. Then double nut it again and tighten the top nut to get it to tighten back down. Good luck.

This is what I do as well. Use two nuts and lock them to remove the studs on the mount. It also helps to jack the engine up and down to make more clearance as you go along.

 

[Splitpi]

Ahhh... So you can back out those two screws... in which case it should clear it nicely. Thanks for the help. Now I need purchase my 3rd timing belt cover and try again

 

[Splitpi]

Ok, I just got my new timing cover in and I'm going to try and install it ... again. So the plan is:

1) Remove top timing belt cover.
2) Put a jack under the motor and put pressure on the motor to support it.
3) Remove the fender side of the center motor mount (shown in orange).
4) Move AC line to get better access.
5) Double the nuts (shown in blue) onto the the studs (shown in red) and to turn the bottom nut of the two doubled up nuts as if loosening it. This will unscrew the stud. And do it for both.
6) Install timing middle timing belt cover.
7) Reinsert the studs (shown in red) and double up the nuts again. Tighten the top nut to screw the stud in. And do it for both.
8) Relocate the AC line to original location.
9) Reinstall motor mount.
10) Remove jack
11) Reinstall top timing belt cover.

Did I miss anything? Anything wrong that won't work? I'll post an update if no one objects and it works perfectly.

 

[Turbocharged]

Ok, I just got my new timing cover in and I'm going to try and install it ... again. So the plan is:

1) Remove top timing belt cover.
2) Put a jack under the motor and put pressure on the motor to support it.
3) Remove the fender side of the center motor mount (shown in orange).
4) Move AC line to get better access.
5) Double the nuts (shown in blue) onto the the studs (shown in red) and to turn the bottom nut of the two doubled up nuts as if loosening it. This will unscrew the stud. And do it for both.
6) Install timing middle timing belt cover.
7) Reinsert the studs (shown in red) and double up the nuts again. Tighten the top nut to screw the stud in. And do it for both.
8) Relocate the AC line to original location.
9) Reinstall motor mount.
10) Remove jack
11) Reinstall top timing belt cover.

Did I miss anything? Anything wrong that won't work? I'll post an update if no one objects and it works perfectly.

. It also helps to jack the motor up and down to get the right clearance.

 

[Splitpi]

Ok... FINALLY, I got the middle timing belt cover on. The double nut trick worked like charm. Note though, only the left most bolt needs to be removed to get it in place.