timing belt tensioner plug?

[moblakely]

Oh this is bad news bears, I'm ashamed to write it. My head gasket job was going pretty well.... until I walked away. My brother and I had tried everything possible to get the timing belt tensioner cover off--- that little black plug doohickey. We were getting no where. I walked inside for a break... well he gladly told me when I came out the timing belt was off. I was like "how?" e said he slipped off the side with two screwdrivers I knew immediatley this was going to lead to H*$# to pay but went ahead with disassembly and cleaning head etc. Now that it's back on I face the challenge of loosening the timing belt and getting it on the cam shaft correctly. Everything is at TDC so I'm good there, but I'm truly at a loss on what to do. If someone knows a trick for popping that plug/cover off please let me know. Every video i've watched makes it look so easy! I've jacked the engine, taken off the top mount and top timing belt cover. No matter which way I get my little hands in there, there is no gap between the plug and cover to pry the thing out!! tried all the tools including cuticle sissors. I guess plan B would be take off everything there to get to the tensioner but I don't have breaker bar and crap I'm going to need to take that crank pulley off Any tips/tool you used ? General idea of how much lip is behind the cover holding it in? M plug is flush to the cover with nothing sticking out to grab on to or anything... so hard to tell! 97 civic ex SOHC VTEC

 

[Wreckless Hype]

Isn't the entire cover only held on by like 3 or 4 bolts? Just take the whole cover off. Seems like a way easier solution that beating yourself trying to get that a*****e of a plug out of the cover.

 

[moblakely]

from what i can tell the 3rd is behind a pulley bracket for either water pump or ac can't remember right now. that will have to come off to get to the third but that is a better plan B, thanks for reminding me.

 

[Wreckless Hype]

from what i can tell the 3rd is behind a pulley bracket for either water pump or ac can't remember right now. that will have to come off to get to the third but that is a better plan B, thanks for reminding me.

Oh, I guess that could be possible... My 95 DX was lacking PS and AC so I had no issues with it Otherwise, you're going to end up digging the hell out of the cover to get the grommet out.

 

[moblakely]

Sweet baby Jesus! solution was... take off entire upper engine mount (not just bracket), also takecruise control unit to the side- jacked the engine up on driverside and was able to jam a tiny screwdriver in and pry the sucker out... not sure if it's gonna work going back in but I'll order a new one if I damaged it too much. thanks!