rsabeebe

curious how many do not use them.

elgy

I really don't like the idea of rain and dirty having direct access to the belts and bearings...

mytrplseven

Having belts, rollers and seals open to the force of the weather, dirt and who knows what else, IMHO is not a good idea.

Dougs951S

I don't run them, they interfere with the triggering of my stand alone. In my opinion unless you're driving in a sand dune it isnt needed, I've been coverless for over a year now with no issues.

Butters944

I've lost all trust in timing covers and would rather run without.

Currently I only have the back cover on but will be removing it next week. The lower stud stripped out of my block so the bottom of the back cover is loose and has rubbed my timing belt to about 3/4 width. This is the second time I've had this problem.

Especially now that I have my aluminum belly pan, I feel safe enough without covers. I will probably try to repair the threads and get a new stud to hold the covers, but if I do I'll live in constant fear that it'll back out again.

V2Rocket

I'd run them, but trim out the bits where its removal requires removing the balance gears etc.

rsabeebe

good suggestion on the balance gears, rocket. i'm thinking with all belly pans in place, you're probably not looking at a lot of debris making it way to the belts/rollers, but the covers would still be added insurance.

i ordered a 'timing cover bolt kit' (from a known vendor) and the kit only came with 10 short bolts. best i can tell, we should receive 13 short bolts and 2 long bolts for installation of all covers - front and rear. if you're going to supply a 'kit', at least include everything that's needed. this project is taking forever now because of delays like this.

944Ross

Living in an area with sand blowing across the road and in the air, I think your pulleys and tensioners are going to go bye-bye pretty quick. I regularly clean those little rocks out of my condenser, they are everywhere.

HICKS

Which vendor?

Arominus

I run them and have replaced them if broken or missing on all of my 944's. Race car? i wouldn't run em most likely, on the street though? i drive a lot in the car and the last thing i need is junk getting in there. Its not that hard to pull them and if i'm doing the water pump i'm pulling the crank pulley anyways so no big deal.

rsabeebe

i'll locate my original receipt tonight - i brought the wrong folder to the office today, so i'm still looking. you can look at the 2 links below - to 944online - and see that they also only offer 10 bolts in their 'bolt kit' and their 'timing cover kit'. you need 15 bolts (the rear cover uses 2 short/2 long, the front covers use 11 short) - why supply just 10??

http://www.944online.com/cgi-bin/ASI...block-944turbo

you can see 10 bolts supplied (and pictured) in the main photo.

http://www.944online.com/cgi-bin/ASI...block-944turbo

what am i missing here????

theedge

I use them, but I am prone to fumbling and dropping things.

Dropped a kitchen knife pointy end up in the garbage disposal once. While it was running.....

Fara

I don't run them.
Mainly because I had a stuck balance shaft sprocket while I was doing a timing belt/water pump job.
The covers didn't survive my frustration.