Do both the timing covers HAVE to come off to loosen the belt so the head may be removed or can you just loosen the bolt from the outside? This has probably been answered many times but on all my car forums I have never been able to wade through the numerous threads to find the info I need.

 

There is a plug in the lower cover for access to the tensioner bolt. Remove upper cover, remove plug, loosen bolt and pull slack in the timing belt. While it is slack tighten the tensioner bolt so it stays slack.

Before doing this, set the engine to TDC1 and confirm the crank and cam marks align, so you know the marks are OK and you can get it back in time upon reassembly.

To set tension, have the tensioner bolt just loose so the spring pulls the tensioner against the belt. Turn the crank counterclockwise by hand to pull out the slack on the front side of the belt. Tighten tensioner SECURELY. Never use the starter while the tensioner bolt is loose, turn engine by hand only. Also before starting double check timing and turn crank two complete revolutions by hand to make sure nothing crashes.