you see lots of peple with the cambelt covers removed . is this just for the pictures? i think they look better covered up tbh.

i always thought that if a stone or similar came hurtling through into the engine bay or got flicked up from underneath, then if the said stone happened to hit the belt just as it was going round the pulley it could get pulled round the pulley, damage the teeth and damage the belt, and if you are flat out say, your cambelt coming off is the the last thing you want to happen.

so question is,, HAS anybody actaully ever fell foul of the phantom stone in the cambelt?

 

I know some one who RAN without the cover and the fan belts snapped and took the timing belt with them I as a rule ALWAYS run mine with covers on,my 3dr has cut outs so peeps can see the Verniers but rest of the belt is covered

 

I always have a cover ,,With the peep holes aswell tho .


Edited to say ,,


Just noticed ,,My track car dont have one fitted so my last comment was total bollocks sorry ,,,, but it is a good idea to have one

 

I don't run one because I like to see whats happening with my timing belt.

Any nicks, oil contamination etc.

Personally I thing the chance of a stone gettung up past rad, RS500 cooler and then getting lodged in the timing belt is pretty slim.

 

I just had a cambelt failure, with cambelt cover securely in place, and 16 bent valves and my mechanic is planning his next caribbean cruise on my dollar most likely Point is, cover on cover off, that fcuker can go any time it wants. The cover probably makes such a tiny difference it's probably not worth bothering about.

 

i bought a saff was driving it home and it started to backfire and cut out ,well got it home spent hours trying to fix and mate came round the timing had jumped a tooth were a stone had flicked up ,luckly did not damage any valves how lucky was i then

 

true it can go with or without the cover on, but as tiptips post says,

who has actually had it happen .

 

I would never run without one as i think the chances of something hitting the belt are quite high.