I want to run the car without the front timing belt cover in place for a week or so to observe the belt at stops
Does anyone see any issues with this as a temporary situation

For 1 week I wouldn't worry about anything

Just be aware that any small objects thrown up into the engine bay will automatically home straight to your timing belt, I would only do this with caution.
Why not just replace the hydraulic tensioner, they're cheap enough and give you peace of mind.

I want to run the car without the front timing belt cover in place for a week or so to observe the belt at stops
Does anyone see any issues with this as a temporary situation

Can be done, but what are you expecting to discover?

Just be aware that any small objects thrown up into the engine bay will automatically home straight to your timing belt, I would only do this with caution.
Why not just replace the hydraulic tensioner, they're cheap enough and give you peace of mind.

I had i done 10k ago since then i get the odd start up noise but very very rarely
I found the belt loose one day about 5k after the belt was replaced I was checking to see if the belt was actually replaced ( paranoid i know)
My mechanic said bring it in straight away and of course it was tight again so all i want to do is get some photos and of it loose and get the whole lot replaced again and not at my expense
I do, however, do about 450klms a week maybe i will just take it off each morning before work and then when i get home?????

You do realise it is ok/normal for the belt to be loose sometimes when the engine is off, don't you?

"all i want to do is get some photos and of it loose and get the whole lot replaced again and not at my expense"

That should raise a chuckle with the mechanic!

The 380 tensioner actually 'rocks' so may feel loose sometimes, but as soon as tension is applied with the engine running it tightens up. I replaced the timing belt in my mum's 380 and was surprised as well by the slack. It is normal and due to the pivoting design of the tensioner.

As for driving without timing covers, no issues on both my magna and 300zx. Driving like that for years without issue.

It is normal and due to the pivoting design of the tensioner.


Another theory says it is due to where the cams stop when you switch off the engine.

Why doesn't matter - it is normal. Unlike some tensioner setups that produce constant tension (CH Lancer, second gen V6) the third gen Magna and 380 can develop some visible slack with the engine off. It goes away as soon as you start the car up.

Another theory says it is due to where the cams stop when you switch off the engine.

Why doesn't matter - it is normal. Unlike some tensioner setups that produce constant tension (CH Lancer, second gen V6) the third gen Magna and 380 can develop some visible slack with the engine off. It goes away as soon as you start the car up.

+1 - it will be ok, don't stress. Also, I can show you what it looks like when something the size of a small pebble gets inside your timing cover..

+1 - it will be ok, don't stress. Also, I can show you what it looks like when something the size of a small pebble gets inside your timing cover..

A poorly set up - loose - cam belt will cause a rattle on start up. If it doesn't rattle, it is fine.

As for a pebble in the works - I've seen a picture of a cam cog with a section broken off it. Pebble in action?

I thought you were not posting anymore Max....

OP, you need to realise that you are way off the mark here

The belt is not tight at any time, there is always a few mm slack somewhere, generally when the motor is running the slack is on the back side of the motor and the pre tensioner will hold it "tight"

What you have is an issue with the pre tensioner, it is not taking up that slack, will be worse on cold mornings. IF you have had the pre tensioner replaced it would have been no doubt an aftermarket unit and that is where your issue is. Aftermarket ones are rubbish.

Max, it is not a theory, it is fact, cams do not always, and mostly all the time stop off rock thus there are valves trying to close pushing on rockers and in turn the cam will turn, IF you were silly enough to cut the belt chances are unless your motor is on TDC that one or both cams will flick around until they neutralise OR valves hit pistons

You do realise it is ok/normal for the belt to be loose sometimes when the engine is off, don't you?

"all i want to do is get some photos and of it loose and get the whole lot replaced again and not at my expense"

That should raise a chuckle with the mechanic!

Yeah you would think but my mechanic actually suggested checking it daily and taking footage if it presents again and gave me much the same advise you guys have regarding running without the cover
so I have been taking it off and putting it back on so far no real problems is acceptable so far so good
The thing is when i found the belt loose it was loose enough that i could have almost slipped it off the front cam does that sound normal?