timing belt should I or not

[Rhondas]

The timing belt on my 1999 Accent needs its usual replacement, when I read on about doing it Jack up engine, and remove pulley off crank, Is it possible to do this job but cutting a slit in the bottom half of the timng belt cover off say with a dremel and slipping the belt over the pulley after marking everything , or is it impossible to remove the belt over the pulley, the only reason I can see is that the pulley must be removed to get the plastic cover off??dont know for sure , anybody know ,could always re install the cut cover back with its bolts and some RTV to seal It.and can you do the job without jacking up the motor? Thanks if you want ou can email me direct ronplanes@optonline.net

[LilTimmy]

Well I am not possitive on that car but if you cut the belt off you will still have to loosen a pulley to get it on. SO you might as well remove it the correct way. If you cut the belt the go to put the new one on and relize it is harder then you want to screw with then you would have to have the car towed in instead of just driving it to a shop.

[meee2yo]

you don't really need to seal it, there is no oil in that compartment at all and the main seal is not taken out.

You could do this, and would only need a new idler pulley which ironically is cheaper from your local hyundi dealer then from NAPA which also carries the part.