I am considering leaving my belt covers off.

Would like to hear what problems I would have if I left them off long term?

 

Two words, "interference engine". Something happen to your timing belt and you will need major head work, and probably some pistons two. At best.

I wouldn't run my car parked in a clean room without covers.

Regards,
Russell

 

I have run for weeks at a time without them without inicident. My only concern was a rock or some other thing bouncing up in there & causing a belt failure. Driving on a gravel road would be extremely dangerous. It could cause the timing belt to sieze & fail which would at the very least bend valves and potentially other major failures .

 

3 years off 25k+ miles and no problems here, easy to keep a check on the belts, all under pans are installed

 

If you want to inspect the belts just leave the top one off. That way when you go to sell the car you can put it back together easily and not look like a lazy hack job mechanic. At least leave the rear cover on, so that you have options later on.

 

me too, off. I mean damn, if you have the bat wing or splitter on, your fine. Track car, they've been off for almost 4 years.

A lot of people like the clean look, I like changing my belts real quick.

 

I chose off.

 

Sorry my bad... I forgot to mention that I DO have a interference motor.
Laust Pederson (rennlister) did my pistons.

 

You dew? I understand the logic of using the covers, I'm afraid I don't see any logic behind leaving them off.

Regards,
Russell

 

I agree with you folks that say "leave them off"

I think it as a measure of function, it's a hell of a lot easier to check or repair the belts with the covers OFF... I plan a cross country " break in the motor trip" and even with a Interference motor if a belt does break it could be replaced on the road.


thanks for the feedback...

 

Do you wear a helmet when you drive to work ? it would be more safe j/k

 

Only if the track is on the way to work...

 

But seriously, you are exposing seals, belts, roller bearings to undesireable debri and the elements. What do you do if it's raining, just don't drive? Easier to repair the belts? With what, duct tape?

I don't get it, if my belts are making the right whining sound and I know they've been properly tensioned there's just no reason to see them and expose all that stuff to whatever is on the road.

 

I only have two bolts holding the top cover in, and none on the metal piece where there should be a distributer I keep them on, I'd rather not risk something getting tossed in there.

 

Don't get me wrong, I am not saying it is better to run coverless, just saying it can be done.

Not that big a risk IMHO