Love the look of the engines when all the front covers are removed, I fully understand what could happen, a stone or something snapping the belt etc etc

But how many run without covers, for how long, and who's had issues ?




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I run them so that I don't break timing belts. Even with the covers, rocks find ways to get in and poke holes in the belt or grind parts of it away. I can't imagine running a timing belt engine without the covers, honestly.

With a high compression engine that is no longer non-interference, I wouldn't dare risk my high dollar engine for something silly like that. I guess it comes down to whether you'd like to look at it or drive it.

I've been running my 4AGE for over 30k miles without a cam belt cover. The belt is slight protected by a sump guard that extends below the crank damper. [On 99% paved roads] I believe the belt would survive pee size gravel. Dave W

I did for a year or so on my old engine circa 10 thousand miles and will be again on my new engine wich is a high comp build.

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If a belt is going to break its more likely due to the fact it needed replacing , i think you would have to be seriously unlucky to have a stone or debris to get in there but im not saying it couldn't happen. I ran my car as a daily before but it will mostly be track and weekend toy now.

i just rock the clear cover...

The clear cover is pretty sweet.

ran mine coverless for about 5 years, no problem here. And i track my car more than i street it. Makes replacing the belt super easy for me. I just run the bottom cover to check the timing marks

I'm currently running a clear cover which is cool, but I really dig the rawness of no covers or backplates.

My car is purely a track & show car with the odd Sunday drive.




I'm building a turbo'd 4AGZE do it's still a non interference engine, my thinking is, should it snap it's no massive issue ?


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My car just snapped the belt with the covers on. Had enough energy to destroy the lower cover. So now it has no cover since I don't have the parts to run the full cover.

The way I see it, it can't be any worse than the ducatis that people run the belts open on. Their belts are right where the front tire throws road grime.

I run with the clear plastic covers just for ease of mind. The engine bay is pretty open on our cars, so it's better to be safe than sorry.

I can see the point of not using them though. Looks raw and since the 4AGE have non-interference valves, it's not the end of the world.