Timing Belt Cover cracked. Need Advice?

[Tyren3402]

About a year ago my timing belt and pullies on my car went out. After a long an painful process, I got them all fixed. I had the timing belt replaced. The serpentine belt replaced. All the pulleys, and the tensioner replaced. They even replaced my the cover over the timing belt.

Here's my problem. The other day, I opened my hood so my friend could show me where my power stering fluid was. Well upon inspection I noticed that the cover over my timing belt had cracked open. I was familir with this problem because the last time my car broke down the timing belt had popped out and the cover was broken. Unfortunately I dont have the money to fix all of the same problems I did last time, and I am trying to nip it in the bud before the problem gets worse. What I was wondering is if I can purchase a plastic epoxy to fix the break in the cover? I included some photos so you can see what exactly I am talking about.

Hopefully the epoxy will help until I can afford a new cover. Also what epoxy would you recommend that can withstand heat from a car engine? And what is best for sealing plastic?

Thank you in advance for any help you can offer. It's much appreciated.

[FishFind]

Epoxy will work and can withstand much higher heat than you engine will give off. Here is the problems 1 MUST be free of oil for it to stick so make sure it is. How much oil is in your car, and what kind of car is this?

[Tyren3402]

It's a 1999 Ford Escort "Cool" ZX2 2dr Coupe. As for the amount of oil in the car is actually a full amount. I just got the oil changed. There, however, is no oil around the crack itself. It may be a little dusty but nothing, I'm assuming a dry cloth can't handle?

Any epoxy you can recommend that would be best for fixing something like this?

[FishFind]

j/b weld? jsut read the back they tell you the heat range and what they will bond too.

[Tyren3402]

I'm sorry, I'm not very good with cars. What is a good heat range for applying a epoxy to the timing belt cover?

[AzTumbleweed]

Try JB Weld. I used it on an oil pan once and it worked. I took the cover off of my car and thew it away about 150,000 miles ago. It just gets in the way as far as I'm concerned.

[frafreg]

Originally Posted by Tyren3402

About a year ago my timing belt and pullies on my car went out. After a long an painful process, I got them all fixed. I had the timing belt replaced. The serpentine belt replaced. All the pulleys, and the tensioner replaced. They even replaced my the cover over the timing belt.

Here's my problem. The other day, I opened my hood so my friend could show me where my power stering fluid was. Well upon inspection I noticed that the cover over my timing belt had cracked open. I was familir with this problem because the last time my car broke down the timing belt had popped out and the cover was broken. Unfortunately I dont have the money to fix all of the same problems I did last time, and I am trying to nip it in the bud before the problem gets worse. What I was wondering is if I can purchase a plastic epoxy to fix the break in the cover? I included some photos so you can see what exactly I am talking about.

Hopefully the epoxy will help until I can afford a new cover. Also what epoxy would you recommend that can withstand heat from a car engine? And what is best for sealing plastic?

Thank you in advance for any help you can offer. It's much appreciated.

These are great pictures. The J B Weld should do the trick. What is more important is why the cover cracked. It looks like the bolt on the left side may be the cause of the problem. It may be pulling too much causing the cover to crack. Is it possible they bent the metal threaded piece it goes into or maybe tightened it too much. Could the cover have been installed incorrectly? Just a thought.

[tyrantfour]

i think either the gear is not seated correctly or the gear is possibly warped or wobbling causing the gear to make contact with the cover. this will generate heat and soften the plastic in a perfect arch around the gear (presumably on the high side of the wobble or warpage).

[mightymoose_22]

If you want you can just remove the plastic cover.

[zzyzzx2]

I'd get another one at a junkyard.

[danielsatur]

It looks like the belt or pulley might be doing the damage.

1) I would leave the cover on for hand + dust protection.
2) Use a black silicone sealent to keep the dust out.