VTS - Upper Timing Cover Removal

1. tonytiger Infrequent Poster Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 106 2002 Saxo VTR 1993 Corrado VR6

   #1 22nd December 2011, 07:16

   What's the trick to removing the upper timing cover when the engine is still in the car? (Obviously I've taken all the bolts out - yes, I'm sure). The cover is free to move, but I just can't manoeuvre it out - feels like it'll break if I force it any more.
   
   I've read Haynes, and the guides on here and elsewhere for changing the timing belt - and they all just say "undo the bolts and remove the cover". What's the secret?!
   
   I need to check the timing, as the car is making a horrendous rattling noise from the top of the engine - like exceptionally loud tappets.
   
   Cheers.
2. xsi16v Regular Poster Joined: Jan 2006 Ilkeston, Derbyshire Posts: 469 374 bhp Supercharged 205 GTI, Passat Estate

   #2 22nd December 2011, 10:28

   so you have removed all the bolts? thats 7 in total??.
3. tonytiger Infrequent Poster Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 106 2002 Saxo VTR 1993 Corrado VR6

   #3 22nd December 2011, 10:58

   Yes - ALL the bolts - 3 along the top, 2 on the sides (1 front, 1 back) and 2 at the bottom (which also hold the lower cover).
   
   It's free and I can pull it away and turn it - but I just can't get it out completely. Seems to get stuck around the engine mount.
4. user_15516 Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Apr 2007 Posts: 6640 Integra DC5R & VTS

   #4 22nd December 2011, 12:33

   You need to support the engine with some wood and a jack under the sump, then remove the engine mount.
5. tonytiger Infrequent Poster Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 106 2002 Saxo VTR 1993 Corrado VR6

   #5 22nd December 2011, 14:27

   Really?! What a useless design. I was hoping it was going to be a bit less hassle than that.
6. user_32315 Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Mar 2009 Uppingham, Rutland Posts: 9569 mk1 JP4'd VTR, '16 Fabia Monte Carlo

   #6 22nd December 2011, 14:34

   you can get them on and off without removing the mount, ive done it a couple times in the last couple weeks, and yea i just pulled them out with force, didnt break anything, there was a bit of thinking thought i didnt just yank at it willy nilly lol
7. Tom5190 Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Sep 2007 Someones Bumhole Posts: 5721 Mk2 16v Desire

   #7 22nd December 2011, 14:34

   nope mounts gotta be removed if you want it off nicely, for the time it takes its pointless trying without removing it takes all of 5 mins
8. user_32315 Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Mar 2009 Uppingham, Rutland Posts: 9569 mk1 JP4'd VTR, '16 Fabia Monte Carlo

   #8 22nd December 2011, 15:49

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by Tom5190 nope mounts gotta be removed if you want it off nicely, for the time it takes its pointless trying without removing it takes all of 5 mins

   dont listen to him, hes gay
9. Tom5190 Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Sep 2007 Someones Bumhole Posts: 5721 Mk2 16v Desire

   #9 22nd December 2011, 21:56

   Yea listen to sam hes got any amounts of qualifications and experience in light vehicle maintenance
10. Gabbastard Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Dec 2002 United Kingdom Posts: 8390

    #10 22nd December 2011, 22:01

    Im sure I managed to get the cover off my mates VTS before without wrecking it. I trimmed down the rearmost webbing on the outer cover once it was out, made it a bit easier to get back on.
11. tonytiger Infrequent Poster Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 106 2002 Saxo VTR 1993 Corrado VR6

    #11 1st January 2012, 23:19

    Thanks for the responses everyone. Finally got back to this yesterday. Managed to force the cover off without removing the engine mount - though I did lose a tiny bit of plastic off the cover in the process (but only where it slots under the inner cover). I'll probably trim a bit more of here so it goes back in easier - which is what I think Gabbastard did too.
    
    Now I'm struggling to lock the crank/flywheel - but I'll start a new thread for that!