Is it nessesary to remove the valve cover before changing a timing belt? THe book I have doesn't say it is, but looking at the engine makes it looks like it is.

I have a 1.5 on a 1990 civic.

Thanks,
Mark

 

You need to remove the valve cover anyway in order to remove the top timing cover, so yes.

 

Of course. Who cares anyways the time you took to write this you coulda done it =P

 

I was hoping to avoid replacing the gasket. Money is an issue.

 

It's not that expensive, roughly $15 for an oem one.

 

you shouldnt have to replace the gasket anyway. Just clean it. Both sides.

 

Just changed the timing belt on my 88 CRX SI. It wasn't too bad. I do have a question though... the engine is emitting a high pitched (but not that loud) sound. It's like the timing belt might be too tight.(???) I checked the A/C and alternator belts and they are tensioned fine.

 

did you check the tensioner pulley when belt was off?

 

speaking of which, is that an item that should usually be changed when doing a timing belt job?

 

The tensioner? Some people swear by it, but otherwise, no it's not really changed with a timing belt job even though it should be. I haven't had any problems yet after I did mine.