The AUSubaru.com.au Forums

Looking on USMB I noticed they mostly run without timing covers. Anyone here doing that. What about in sand?

8O no1. I have never ever seen/know is doing that.

I wouldn't do it!!!!!!!!

Reason - oil, dust, gravel, stone, sand, mud and water will go where the timing belt is... will cause pre-mature wear on the belt & bearings as well, there is NO real good reason to have with or without timing belt cover for performance reasons. Fair enough if you have broken cover but get it fixed ASAP.

EDIT: If you get a stone caught in the belt could cause the belt to slip/jump or fall off or damage something!

Also its a deflect issue if you got caught.
Cheers
AP

thats what I first thought but...
Pros
Easy replacement of belts, water/oil pump, idler/tensioners, oil and water don't get trapped in there

Cons
Idlers could get more water in there, belt could jump off(who cares on ea82 as non-interference anyway!), sand could really cause all sorts off havock, bit more dangerous for catching stuff when you are working on it.

so...
The yanks have been doing this for ages through all 4wd conditions except sand from what I can see, with only a couple of failures due to a rock catching or something. They reckon the spinning deflects anything that can cause probs, and you have better access to lubricate idlers, tensioners etc,

I would never do it on interference engines but it is mighty tempting on L series. Any opinions

It's only a couple of bolts. Come on.

Hmmm . . . must say I'm not too fussed on the idea. The negatives seem to far outweigh the benifits.