I am in the middle of changing the head gasket on a 2003 Base Cooper (no supercharger).

Do I have to remove the ENTIRE timing chain cover, to loosen the bottom bolts holding the chain tensioners?

The Bentley Manual shows a picture of the engine with the timing cover OFF, arrows pointing to top and bottom bolts, but does not explicitly state to take the whole cover off.

Are they accessible by removing the serpentine belt tensioner? Thank you very much!

 

It looks to me like I can leave the bottom bolts connected, and the tensioners will swing out of the way of the head once the camshaft gear is removed.

Does anyone know if that will work?

 

I figured it out. There are NO bottom "bolts", the chain guides slide right out when top bolts and cam gear are removed! The fixed guide (intake side of engine) has a channel that slides onto a post, the other side rests on the tensioner.