Whats the deal on running the car without the upper timing cover installed ? Is it mandatory? I'm getting ready to do timing belt, cams, springs, cam gears, etc.

 

It's always a good to have thing just in case don't want anything getting inbetween there

 

If you really wanna see your pretty Cam gears spin
..just get a Zaleek clear cover ....you don't want anything getting down in the timing belt side.

 

seems like an unnecessary risk to run without it, plus it keeps the belt clean(could make it last longer)

 

It's not worth it at all to run without one.

 

+1 Not worth the risk, just get a clear cover if you want to see your cam gears.

 

^This. It's not worth the risk of getting anything in there

 

+1 for clear cover

 

Been running without a cover for over 3 years now and nothing happened so far. :KNOCK ON WOOD: Bought an OEM cover from someone and found out it doesn't fit because the cam gears are too big. Now I'm forced to buy a Zaleek.............. Really don't like clear covers...

 

I think Zaleek has a carbon one also...or is that rexpeed idk

 

If a rock gets thrown into the sprockets the belt may skip a tooth or a few. How likely is this to happen - dunno. It is a chance thing. Having just the upper cover off lowers this chance considerably. However, there is always the chance of something falling in.