Timing Belt cover - on or off?

[Peter Jones]

Just fixed some oil leaks and I'm replacing my cam belt and tensioner.

I'm just curious as to everyone's wisdom of dispensing with the cam belt covers.

The motor is a MK 2 GTI and has a plastic lower and steel upper cover.

The plastic cover is pretty stuffed, one of the mounting points has broken and it's been rubbing against the back of the pulley.

My other car runs the bottom cover only with no issues.

At this stage I'm leaning heavily towards not fitting them for ease of maintenance and inspection.

Thoughts?

Pete

[Golf Loon]

I`d probably run the bottom one, in case you get a stone flicking up and taking the timing belt out.

I wouldnt run the top one, but obviously make sure all fuel lines etc are tied back from it.

1.8 is a non interference motor, so doesnt really mater if the timing belt breaks, but its still a pain.

[Preen59]

I've run neither on my goof with zero issues ever. Although you will have problems with rego if its currently unregistered, depending on who does it and whether they want to be a pain in the arse.

In blessed NSW we get to go for a rego inspection every year, which is fine for me, my old man has his own shop, but can be a pain for others wanting to have a technically illegal vehicle.

[Water Boy]

Dont run em on the race track but if its on dirty roads id say a good idea to run the bottom one

[Peter Jones]

Thanks guys, It's back together without any covers. The bottom one was too stuffed to bother with. 2 out of 4 mounts were stuffed and it's pretty buggered from rubbing against the back of the pulley. I might put a lower one back on if I find one in good nick later on.

Pete

[Oneofthegreats]

I ran my mk1 with no cover's on it for over 350+K. incl. dirt rally driving.

Never had a problem.

Engine never even came with a lower cover. Only a top one

[Preen59]

I ran my mk1 with no cover's on it for over 350+K. incl. dirt rally driving.

Never had a problem.

Well, I think we can all safely say that the cover is just a pain in the arse and of no real use then.

Sounds like you really beat the balls off it...

[Oneofthegreats]

Well, I think we can all safely say that the cover is just a pain in the arse and of no real use then.

Sounds like you really beat the balls off it...

I'll say that it hasn't had the easiest life starting from the day it was rebuilt.

It was & still is a freaky engine as some of the local Melb. & Tassie crew will know.

Just have to fit it into something else.

Your right. The cover is just a pain in the arse. Especially if you have a vernier pulley too.