Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Zetec Maintenance How do I remove the timing belt cover?

I drive a 95 Zetec Mystique, I took the car to the shop for a tapping when cold, turned out i needed a new timing belt and pulley. Ok. Well, it still taps, and it doesn't go away. It's not bad, and it doesn't really get any lounder as you g faster, it just increases in frequency. It's not a valve problem, because the car would be seriously messed up. And nobody cna definitively say it's a bad lifter, so, before I spend any more money, I want to take off the timing belt cover, maybe it's hitting it in one spot. Any reason's not to take it/leave it off? And while I go ad grab me tools...what am I looking for? Hehe..my neighbors must love it when I come outside with all my stuff..open the hood...scratch my head for a half hour..pack up my crap and go back inside lol!!! Thanks in advance.

To the left side of the engine, you will see a black plastic cover. This is the Time Belt Upper cover (Usually where the belt hits). To remove it, first, there is your Power Stearing Line going across it. (I think it is power stearing). Anyway, following that pipe from the back to the front, there is a bolt holding the pipe in place. Remove that one bolt so you could move the pipe around. Now, around the plastic covering, there are three or four bolts (maybe two, dont remember how many exactly considering I am in NY temporarily and can not see my car in CA from here). Remove those bolts and remove the cover. No much to it. You should be able to drive the car without it as long as you dont drive in Muddy areas. Keep your hands clear of it when you open the hood.

Patel

Two bolts holding that blasted cover on!