Timing cover repair

[vinu_neuro]

I have to repair this timing cover since we've already gotten some salt on the roads now. I'm going back to school and really can't afford $40+ for a new one, and can't find a used one. So I thought about putting tape on the inside over where there shouldn't be holes and thin a thin layer of something like epoxy on those areas from the outside. Any thoughts?

 

[tig1]

If you were near I would be glad to weld repair it for you.

 

[vinu_neuro]

Originally Posted By: tig1

If you were near I would be glad to weld repair it for you.

Thanks, appreciate it. I just remembered I forgot to put the pics in the first post, they've been added. It's plastic so I have to be more creative.

 

[ChiTDI]

I'd think epoxy, but what vehicle is it for? Items For Sale forum - list the part and vehicle, and I'd bet a Bitog member that has one would send it to you for postage.

 

[vinu_neuro]

It's for the 01 Prelude. I haven't been able to find it on honda-tech or the prelude forums for a few months. Considering how low volume this vehicle was I can't imagine anyone here having it.

 

[Donald]

What happened to cause those holes? A lot of EPOXY does not stick well to plastic. I'd borrow the $40+ and get a new timing cover. What if what you do only holds a month? Now you are fixing it in January in Chicago.

 

[Smokefan1977]

You can't win if you don't play. I agree post a wanted ad on the forum. You might be suprised

 

[vinu_neuro]

Originally Posted By: Donald

What happened to cause those holes? A lot of EPOXY does not stick well to plastic. I'd borrow the $40+ and get a new timing cover. What if what you do only holds a month? Now you are fixing it in January in Chicago.

Don't know what happened, I've only had the car a year. It goes without saying it, but I'll say it anyway. The three round holes are supposed to be there. I'm only concerned with repairing the cracks. Will the epoxy not stick to the masking tape, plus there is plastic welding epoxy available cheaply.

 

[Mr Nice]

Tape for now until you buy one from a junk yard or Ebay

 

[NHGUY]

Those are definitely round scrape marks.Like a sprocket rubbing it.Seems like if you fill them,they will rub thru again.Maybe that vinyl bumper repair stuff will work....SEM products makes one in a small syringe.

 

[The_Eric]

Get a gallon washer fluid jug or something similar and cut out what you need to patch it, then use a plastic specific epoxy to secure it. Make sure to use plenty of weight on the repair until the epoxy has set.

 

[Bluestream]

You're not going to like what I have to say.... Ownership of an Automobile requires one to spend money on maintenance and operation of the car. $40 is one tank of gas.... If you can't afford that, how are you paying for other things like insurance, tires, parts ect. not to mention tuition for school You posted on this a while ago: Timing Cover What has changed since then?

 

[doitmyself]

If you choose to try epoxy, I would use one that market's itself for plastic. Devcon Plastic Welder is an industrial product available at ACE Hardware: http://www.devcon.com/prodfiles/pdfs/fam_tds_310.pdf Clean the area well with alcohol or other plastic safe, non residue cleaner. Roughen with sandpaper. If room permits, I would put a coat on the inside too. But, I am curious how that wore like that....is something rubbing it? Good luck.

 

[mechtech2]

First, fix the problem that caused the wear/holes. Epoxy [a proper type] can be a permanent repair. CLEAN and roughen the surface. Go out beyond the crack. $40 is not a lot, and a new one might be the best option, even in rather dire circumstances.

 

[Smoky14]

Get a tube of RTV, tape the back side of the plastic cover and apply the RTV to a CLEAN outside. After the RTV sets up remove the tape from the inside and reinstall the cover. I did one a temp for a guy and that was 5years ago, he still runs it.

 

[stephen9666]

Is this covering a timing belt, or a lubricated timing chain? I'm guessing it's a belt. If that's the case, then I think the repair will be easier. Keeping a little salt/slush out will be easier than keeping oil in. I'm guessing the plastic epoxy or even RTV silicone will work if the repair is only to keep out contamination.

 

[Trav]

Scuff it up and use some sticky aluminum tape on the outside then a little RTV from behind and around the edges of the tape should keep the water out as much as possible. .

 

[JTK]

I'd just install it as-is or goop up those openings with some silicone sealer. I ran a 4cyl Ford for years w/out a timing belt cover. I broke it when trying to remove it. Joel

 

[vinu_neuro]

Thanks for the great suggestions. Looking at service records the previous owner had some problems with the tensioner, and that's likely when damage is from. It's a belt, and I just need to keep out contaminants. Considering how small the cracks are I think this can be a permanent fix.

 

[Sedin26]

I had a similar issue with my Tercel and used some RTV to fill the gaps. That was a couple of years ago and I've had no issues since.