I noticed my timing belt housing had a groove cut in it

Welcome to 2CarPros.

Are you sure you the timing cover wasn't just misaligned? Here are the directions you requested with diagrams below. I will start with timing belt replacement, then crank seal, then water pump. Keep in mind, these overlap each other. In other words, the crankshaft seal and water pump will be replaced while the belt is off.

TIMING BELT REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION
REMOVAL

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Remove the two fresh air duct mounting bolts on the radiator.
3. Loosen the fresh air duct clamp at the intake housing.
4. Remove the hose at the resonance chamber.

5. Remove the fresh air duct.

6. Remove the five cooling fan shroud bolts.
7. Remove the four thermo-modulated fan nuts.

8. Remove the thermo-modulated fan and cooling fan shroud at the same time.

9. Loosen the two generator mounting bolts (A and B).
10. Loosen the generator drive belt from the generator by loosening the adjusting bolt (c).
11. Remove the generator drive belt.
12. Remove the fan pulley.
13. Remove the four splash guard mounting bolts and splash Guard.
14. Loosen the A/C idler pulley nut (A).
15. Remove the A/C drive belt by loosening the adjusting bolt.
16. Loosen the power steering pump lock bolt and mounting bolt.
17. Remove the power steering belt.
18. Remove five bolts and the upper timing belt cover.
19. Remove two bolts and the lower timing cover.
20. Loosen the tensioner lock bolt and pivot the tensioner pulley outward to remove the tension from the timing belt, then re-tighten the tensioner lock bolt.

Tightening Torque: 27 - 38 ft. Lbs. (37 - 52 Nm)

21. Mark the timing belt rotation for proper reinstallation if it is reused.

22. Remove the timing belt.

CAUTION: Be careful not to allow oil or grease on the belt.

INSTALLATION

1. Align the timing belt pulley and the pump body alignment marks.

2. Align the mating marks on the camshaft pulleys with the alignment marks on the seal plate.

NOTICE:
- For intake side camshaft pulley, align I mark.
- For exhaust side camshaft pulley, align E mark.
3. Install the timing belt so that there is no looseness at the tension side, and at the two camshaft pulleys.

CAUTION:
- If the timing belt is being reused, it must be reinstalled to rotate in the original direction.
- Check that there is no oil, grease, or dirt on the timing belt

4. Loosen the tensioner lock bolt.
5. Turn the crankshaft two complete revolutions in the direction of rotation.
6. Check that the mating marks are correctly aligned. If not aligned correctly, remove the timing belt and tensioner, and return to step 1.
7. Turn the crankshaft to align the S mark of the exhaust camshaft pulley with the seal plate mating mark.
8. Tighten the timing belt tensioner lock bolt.

Tightening torque: 27 - 38 ft. Lbs. (37 - 52 Nm, 3.8 - 5.3 kg-m)

9. Check the timing belt deflection. If the deflection is not correct, loosen the tensioner lock bolt and repeat steps 5-7 above. Replace the tensioner spring if necessary.

Belt deflection: 0.30 - 0.33 inch (7.5 - 8.5 mm)/22 lbs. (98 N, 10 kg)

1O. Install the lower timing belt cover and two bolts.

Tightening torque: 61 - 87 inch lbs. (7 - 10 Nm)

11. Install the upper timing belt cover and five bolts.

Tightening torque: 61 - 87 inch lbs. (7 - 10 Nm)

12. Install the power steering drive belt and set belt deflection.

Power Steering Belt deflection:
New: 0.31 - 0.39 inch (8 - 10 mm)
Used 0.35 - 0.43 inch (9 - 11 mm)

13. Tighten the lock bolt (A) and mounting bolt (B).

Tightening torque: 27 - 34 ft. Lbs. (37 - 46 Nm)

14. Install the fan pulley.
15. Install the generator drive belt and adjust belt deflection by tightening adjusting bolt (c).

Generator Belt deflection:
New: 0.24 - 0.31 inch (6 - 8 mm)
Used: 0.27 - 0.35 inch (7 - 9 mm)

16. Tighten generator mounting bolts (A and B).

Tightening torque:
A: 16 ft. Lbs. (22 Nm)
B: 32 ft. Lbs. (45 Nm)

17. Install A/C drive belt and set belt deflection by tightening adjusting bolt (B).

A/C Belt deflection:
New: 0.27 - 0.35 inch (7 - 9 mm)
Used: 0.31 - 0.39 inch (8 - 10 mm)
18. Tighten the adjusting bolt (B) and idler pulley bolt (A).

Tightening torque: 23 - 25 ft. Lbs. (31 - 34 Nm)

19. Install the splash guard and tighten the four mounting bolts.
20. Install the fan and fan shroud.
21. Install the four fan bolts and tighten.

Tightening Torque: 24 ft. Lbs. (32.6 Nm)
22. Install the five fan shroud mounting bolts.

Tightening torque: 69 - 95 inch lbs. (7.8 - 11 Nm)

23. Install the fresh air duct.
24. Install the hose at the resonance chamber.
25. Install and tighten the clamp at the air intake housing.
26. Install the two fresh air duct mounting bolts and tighten.

Tightening torque: 69 - 95 inch lbs. (7.8 - 11 Nm)

27. Reconnect the negative battery cable.

Crankshaft seal

REMOVAL
1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Remove the four undercover bolts.
3. Remove the engine undercover.
4. Remove the timing belt.
5. Remove the timing belt pulley lock bolt.
6. Remove the timing belt pulley.

NOTICE: If necessary, remove the pulley with a steering wheel puller (commercially available).

7. Remove the pulley Woodruff key.
8. Cut the oil seal lip with a razor knife.
9. Remove the oil seal with a screwdriver protected with a shop rag.

INSTALLATION
1. Apply a small amount of clean engine oil to the lip of a new oil seal.
2. Push the oil seal slightly in by hand.

NOTICE: The oil seal must be pressed in until it is flush with the edge of the oil pump body.
3. Install the oil seal into the oil pump body.
4. Install the timing belt pulley.
5. Install the pulley Woodruff key.
6. Install the pulley lock bolt.

Tighten the lock bolt to 116 - 123 ft. Lbs. (157 - 167 Nm)

7. Install the timing belt.
8. Install the undercover.
9. Install the four undercover bolts.

Tighten the four bolts to 18 ft. Lbs. (25 Nm)

10. Connect the negative battery cable.
11. Start the engine and check the ignition timing.

Check out the diagrams (Below). Please let us know if you need anything else to get the problem fixed.

Happy to help. Let me know what you find or if you have questions. I will watch for your picture tomorrow.

Take care,
joe

Welcome back:

Wow! That did wear a hole through it. When you first took it off when you got the car to check the belt, did anything fall? I'm wondering if there were small spacers in there that kept the cover far enough away. Also, when you reinstall the new one, make sure it is properly seated and not overlapping. And, if it makes noise, we now know what is happening.

As far as the belt, it's hard to say from a picture, but it doesn't look bad. Now, if you plan to replace the belt, honestly, I would replace the tensioners and spring along with the idler pulley, closely inspect the cam and crank gears, and so on. It isn't a five minute job and you don't want to do it again in a month. If it helps, here is a list of checks for timing components. The attached pics correlate with the directions. It explains what to look for and how to check the components. The very last pic is an exploded view of everything. I highlighted a tab. Make sure that isn't bent allowing the belt to sit too far in.

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COMPONENT TESTS AND GENERAL DIAGNOSTICS
Timing Belt
1. Replace the timing belt if there is any oil or grease on it.

Pic 1

2. Check the timing belt for damage, wear, peeling, cracks, or hardening. Replace if necessary.

Pic 2

NOTICE:
- Never forcefully twist, turn inside out, or bend the timing belt.
- Be careful not to allow oil or grease on the belt.

Timing Belt Tensioner And Idler Pulley

pic 3

1. Check the timing belt tensioner and idler pulleys for smooth rotation and abnormal noise. Replace if necessary.

NOTICE: Do not clean the tensioner pulley with cleaning fluids. If necessary, use a soft rag to wipe it clean, and avoid scratching it.

Timing Belt Tensioner Spring

pic 4

1. Check the free length of the tensioner spring.
Replace if necessary.

Free length: 2.189 inch (55.6 mm) max.

Timing Belt Pulley and Camshaft Pulleys

pic 5

1. Inspect the pulley teeth for wear, deformation, or other damage. Replace if necessary.

NOTICE: Do not clean the pulley with cleaning fluids. If necessary use a rag to wipe it clean.

Timing Belt Cover (Lower And Upper)
1. Inspect the timing belt covers for damage or cracks. Replace if necessary.

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Let me know if this helps, if you have questions, or need help.

Take care,
Joe

As long as you have everything connected and ready to go, it should be fine.

Let me know how this turns out for you.

Take care,
Joe

Welcome back:

I just looked at that and can honestly say, I have no idea. It doesn't make sense once everything is on properly. However, do it. It's there for a reason. Most likely deals with location related to tightening the tensioner.

Joe

Honestly, nothing ever seems to go easily. I've learned to spend a couple dollars more and have the responsibility on the parts stores. LOL

I will watch for your reply. Good luck!

Take care,
Joe