i did the same thing on mine... due to the hoses and cables running along that area.. it was safer to just cut open an area to expose the cam gear.... Plus you have to anyway because of the adjustment bolts.... they will hit..

 

I cut off a portion of mine and attatched it to some clips so I could just pull it off and put it back on when I ws done fiddling with my cam gear.

 

I think the only lines coming near the timing belt is the power steering lines right??? i dont have ac so i dont think i have to worry about any other lines????????