i hate to overwhelm the forum with all the questions i have on my subaru(we call him Moe) so i'll just chip away 1 at a time and hope i don't get tiresome. when i recently installed new timing belts tensioners etc on Moe(and thanks for helping smooth that job out) the covers were busted beyond reusing so just going without them for now. my question, what is the best way to keep them exposed parts clean? carb cleaner, brake cleaner or what. its still remarkably clean but that wont last. i dont wanna use anything that will hurt the belts or anything else so figured i'd see what worked for others in this position.thanks

if they're getting dirty you need covers. don't get anything on the belts, it reduces their life span. spraying/coating/cleaning is probably a bad thing for the belts. if you get new covers, just attach them with zip ties through the bolt holes that way you don't have to worry about those stupid bolts seizing, rusting, and turning in place the next time you go to remove them.

 

i run without covers and haven't had any problems with mine getting dirty for years.

if they're getting dirty you need covers. don't get anything on the belts, it reduces their life span. spraying/coating/cleaning is probably a bad thing for the belts. if you get new covers, just attach them with zip ties through the bolt holes that way you don't have to worry about those stupid bolts seizing, rusting, and turning in place the next time you go to remove them.

 

i run without covers and haven't had any problems with mine getting dirty for years.

 

 

ok how do your belts not get dirty if there in the front of the engine and t here exposed. Seems to me that iff they were uncovered and just driveing in the rain would kickup water and road grime up into them. But then again im a noob and i dont quite know where they are.

 

Ben

dust and dirt will get slung off by engine rpm. If you go in mud or snow, then you need covers. Both can pack in there and possibly make things jump.

 

 

nipper

many many members have run for years "nekid"

 

Miles Fox for one.

I think he takes it off the beaten path now and then.

ok how do your belts not get dirty

i don't know, i mean there's some but it's minor..gets flung off (thanks nip!), etc. definitely nothing worth ruining your timing belts over by trying to clean them with a solvent.

 

this is really simple and i already said it, if it is getting dirty, install covers!

 

my wife's impreza OBS has nice, clean, black timing belt covers.

i guess since my covers are off and its no big deal getting the belts off it would make the most sense to take them off and clean everything up ever so often.huh why didnt i think of that?

Just keep an eye on it. Probably won't get dirty as was mentioned before. Remember those belts are spinning quite fast.

 

You'll probably just get dirt on the front of the motor. In those cases, just take a hose to it.