Had a mechanic tell me my timing belt was cracked. When I got a 2nd opinion, I was told that the timing belt could only be checked for wear, by removing the plastic cover (left side of the engine).

Is that correct? Must the cover be removed to check the belt condition,
or is there another way to see the belt?

Rich

 

if the valve cover was off or the upper t-belt cover when the first mechanic looked at the car he could have seen the t-belt as well,, but if he had nothing removed he could not have seen the t-belt thus his assessment was wrong ,,,,,,,,
are you sure he said timing belt and not outer belt ( alt-a/c ),or p/s ??

 

Yes- the recommendation was for the 't-belt'.

The work being done was an airbag replacement. So ok- he's checking things over (and looking for more work , and that's ok with me.

My understanding (from the 2nd opinion) is that the cover plate (see attachment) had to be removed for the 1st mechanic to see the t-belt. If this is correct, my concern is that the cover plate was never removed. Check the bolt head in the pic- it certainly looks to me as though is has not been touched in some time, if ever. (01 Accord / 4/ 55,000 miles)

 

You cannot see the T-belt teeth through that hole.
You' re due a T-belt change by way of time, but not miles. check the owners manual main't section
Here is a pic of a belt with bad teeth cracking loose, car belonged to the luckiest man in NW arkysaws

 

He may have been assuming that the belt has never been changed. Pretty sure it's supposed to be chaned every 100k miles or 7 years.

 

recommending the timing belt ( cause of year and or mileage ) it totally different than him saying that the timing belt was cracked

did he actually say that it was cracked ??
I agree with Dude and Jim , if t-belt has not been done ( 9 years old) you should think about doing it in near future