VTS - Upper Timing Cover Removal

[tonytiger]

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.

[xsi16v]

so you have removed all the bolts? thats 7 in total??.

[tonytiger]

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.

[Liam_]

You need to support the engine with some wood and a jack under the sump, then remove the engine mount.

[tonytiger]

Really?! What a useless design. I was hoping it was going to be a bit less hassle than that.

[jeffchiz]

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

[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

[jeffchiz]

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

[Tom5190]

Yea listen to sam hes got any amounts of qualifications and experience in light vehicle maintenance

[Gabbastard]

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.

[tonytiger]

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!