I am still trying to locate this oil leak, although it appears from behind the Alternator tensioner pulley I cannot establish where it is leaking from without removing the top and bottom timing cover, but I will more than likely need to run the engine to see accurately where this elusive oil leak is coming from, will running the engine with both top and bottom timing covers removed harm anything?

I am still trying to locate this oil leak, although it appears from behind the Alternator tensioner pulley I cannot establish where it is leaking from without removing the top and bottom timing cover, but I will more than likely need to run the engine to see accurately where this elusive oil leak is coming from, will running the engine with both top and bottom timing covers removed harm anything?

Don't think so....Actually i plan on leaving mine off permanently
if its the top ones thats ok just make sure you dont go mud rallying or anything

I have no rear top timing cover on mine. Doesnt matter.

The cover is a machinery guard. If you like the idea of a spanner etc, rock or your fingers being sucked into teh belt, go for it.
Also note that the cover protects teh rubber belt from some heat and contamination by oil, water, coolant, and the potential of breaking if something jams between the belt and a pulley. It also protects teh timing belt if an accesory drive belt fails, which could take out the cam belt.
Running teh engine for a short time won't hurt anything, but I wouldn't (and don't) do it long term.

Regards, Andrew.

You can put your fingers into the drive belt if you so desire, guards wont prevent stupidity.

You can put your fingers into the drive belt if you so desire, guards wont prevent stupidity.


Not from you anyway..:)



I had my covers off for a few months.. i put them on the day before magna meet and when the drive belt broke it smashed the timing covers and the plastic went into my timing belt and killed my engine..:( i still reckon no covers and i would still be driving it..:) oh well..

Look you can leave them off but you dont want crap to go in there.. if anything goes in it will hurt your timing belt.. No harm with them off but my advise would be dont make it perminant.. i had mine off for a month or so with tunning the adjustable gears..:)

Yeah i wouldnt really make it a habit to leave the timing covers off! they r there for a reason! to protect the timing belt from nething going into it! but each to their own

i never ran timing belt covers on various 4AG combinations in my AE86.. i snapped one once, at about 8100rpm.. luckey they are a free spinning motor.. had a few backfires and the throttle input was dead.. made some wicked pops and farts.. $13 later i was back in bussiness.. still didn't run any cam covers :)

http://img2.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/f50af0e371.jpg

the same can't be said for any 6G motor.. expect damage if the belt snaps..

Also the top cover has the crank angle sensor ( i think) wiring running along the outside of it, this may start rubbing on your pulleys.

zipties - an essential item in any garage..

zipties - an essential item in any garage..

Spot on, mine is ziptied to my aircon pipe :)