(WARNING) You need a cam belt cover fitted if there's room

[sean]

When I was driving the other day the engine induction noise suddenly changed, it started detonating under load and lost power.

I discovered that the timing belt had jumped a tooth. Because there is unsufficient room I'm not running a top cover. I believe that a stone had flicked up from the road works that I was travelling on at the time and went through the belt.

The belt was still tight but when I removed it I found a small cut on the inside edge between a couple of the teeth. I have since replaced the belt.

Be warned that if you are not running a cover this could happen to you. You may not be as lucky as me and it might jump more that just one tooth. This will of course provide you with a whole lot of very expensive scrap metal.

Simon

[chrisg]

i agree! im runnig a k series and wanted to keep the top belt cover off for alternator clearence. nearly cost me the engine, started it up and a washer vibrated into the gubbins, didnt realise at the time but stoped the engine. about to start it again and saw the belt was nearly cut in half, it was hanging together by a thread, very scary.
just ground a bit out of the cover and put it back! its there for a reason

[JoBu]

On my dads old BMW the cam belt snapped pure car that car was so awsome! :(

Josh