My Mk1 60s is missing it's timing belt cover, the black plastic cover that covers the belt on the side of the engine. Does this cover serve any purpose? Lots of cars, old and new, don't have a cover like this. I guess I should get a replacement at the scrappy but is it necessary?

One day you'll be in there mucking about with the motor running and you will put your hand on it - guaranteed
It also keeps general road muck and debris away from the belt.

I've had quite a few cars with no belt cover though and I still have all my fingers.

Where it's located is pretty muck free. I can't think of any reason to replace it.

sh|t happens get one if you can, i think nice shiny new one is only 15 quid from fiat

Steven said:

I've had quite a few cars with no belt cover though and I still have all my fingers.

Where it's located is pretty muck free. I can't think of any reason to replace it.

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As above its more H&S than anything else.

Its not a huge problem, just dont put finger/tools/other anywhere near it, youve been warned..

at least the belts on the side of it! I do a lot of work on old beetles. See what i have to put up with! EXPOSED EVERYTHING!

Volkswagens. are the devil. You have defiled the Fiat Forum.

Grit thrown off the road can get jammed in the belt breaking teeth.

Steven said:

Volkswagens. are the devil. You have defiled the Fiat Forum.

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BOO!!!! The Beetle is work with most regularly has its own thread on FiatForum

I once had a 1967 split screen transporter. Rusty but repairable.

What would that be worth now :-(

WhiteSei said:

I once had a 1967 split screen transporter. Rusty but repairable.

What would that be worth now :-(

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£11500 apparently!

http://www.carandclassic.com/car/C151462

It wasnt that nice but they are now going for silly money. Personally I would rather have a late model Citroen CX.

I like Citroens and French cars generally. I've always wanted a BX 4X4. Rare cars now though.

Ah the Renault 4 ! Years ahead in every department except , brakes , corrosion, electrics, handling, gear selection , window opening and performance. The joys of swapping 12v running gear into a 6v shell. Fuel guage that keeps time with the indicators, headlights that come on with the brakelights and ignition that stays live if the brake pedal is held down even with the key out. MOT that!

I once had a BX 1.9GT. It was the last of their carb engines but it made the contemporary Ford Escort XR3i look silly. The BX had similar power but was bigger yet faster and handled better.
The snag with those 4WDs was their hunger for tyres. If one needed replacing you had to replace the set or risk damage to the centre differential.

I recently followed a CX Turbo II in my HGT Punto and could hardly keep up. That heavy old Citroen was flying and seemingly effortlessly.

BX 17TZD 1990 absolute flyer. Looking for car for no. 3 son today got sidelined by an 87 1.9 D with the offer of an interior from a 16gti to freshen it up - sorely tempted.

:Offtopic:

Oh Yes

PS Sorry