Mud-club

Vehicle & Technical => Discovery => Topic started by: jnoshea on November 14, 2005, 13:29:13

Title: Do you change your own timing belt?
Post by: jnoshea on November 14, 2005, 13:29:13
Since I've taken the head off I was originally thinking of changing the timing belt myself, but after talking to Wanderer and Hobbit I'm probably going to let a workshop do it instead.  My main reasons for this are a fear of shafting the engine by getting it wrong, and the fact that all the specialist tools needed amount to more than the job will cost in a garage (which seems to be about £150).  Do you do yours?
Title: Do you change your own timing belt?
Post by: TimM on November 14, 2005, 13:35:13
I've gone for a 'leave it to the professionals' but that is only because the timing belt is under that big cover at the front that contains that noisy thing (i.e. it would be well out of my expertise).

It can be done, the thing to consider is whether you feel you are up to it, if you think you may not be - DON'T TRY IT.

You would always be wondering afterwards if you did it right, everytime it's slow to start, or runs a little rough, you would suspect your own work first.

Just a though  :wink:
Title: Do you change your own timing belt?
Post by: hobbit on November 14, 2005, 14:21:11
The main reason I say go  to the professionals, is the fact I've never done of these, even the guy its going to said its relatively easy in comparison with some motors

I will more than likely be there to help anyway, and will learn on the job with him.

Just booked in for friday, the other reason its indoors as well, too flamin cold outside :?
Title: Do you change your own timing belt?
Post by: s.stirley on November 14, 2005, 14:25:26
I've always done mine .. too mean to pay garages :) heavy background in engineering helps of course, and a garage full of tools ! I wouldn't do one if I wasn't confident, not something to get wrong ..

Of course my Disco doesn't have one as it's a V8, but have done plenty on my other vehicles.

Cheers
Title: Do you change your own timing belt?
Post by: BrumLee on November 14, 2005, 14:32:43
Done mine. Not a hard job on a 200tdi but quite long-winded. Hade to take my time with a few front cover bolts as it was easier to work them backwards and forwards rather than them snapping and making harder work.

Belt = £17-50
Gaskets and dust seal = £12-10
Labour = Some of my free time  :wink:  :D

Picked up a timing kit made by Gerber a couple of years ago at Billing, well worth £35 it cost and covers a number of engines.
Title: Do you change your own timing belt?
Post by: gords on November 14, 2005, 14:51:08
Mine went to the garage to be done! Lack of time, fear of getting it wrong plus I'd heard that there was an upgrade that should have been (should be?!) carried out.

Plus, it was a few weeks before our 2 weeks Alps trip so I did not want to c*ck it up :wink:
Title: Do you change your own timing belt?
Post by: Dr Neil on November 14, 2005, 16:17:14
i voted do it yourself as i am a mechanic and i have done a couple of other peoples too.....
Title: Do you change your own timing belt?
Post by: gords on November 14, 2005, 16:18:57
Quote from: "neil thorne"
i voted do it yourself as i am a mechanic and i have done a couple of other peoples too.....

Now Neil ... if you'd voted "send it to a professional" I'd have been worried :wink:  :lol:
Title: Do you change your own timing belt?
Post by: Digsit on November 14, 2005, 16:34:40
Quote from: "neil thorne"
i voted do it yourself as i am a mechanic and i have done a couple of other peoples too.....


Mine being one of them :wink:
Title: Do you change your own timing belt?
Post by: Disco Inferno on November 14, 2005, 16:54:55
i do mine myself, i figured in the long run it was cheaper to buy a set of tools, as i've done my dads and few mates so its paid for its self already

its simple job really, but i guess that depends on how confident you are with the spanners
Title: Do you change your own timing belt?
Post by: Paul on November 14, 2005, 17:00:27
My 200tdi has a Zeus timing gear convertion kit fitted. 8)

http://members.mud-club.com/profiles/Paul/gallery/BAB/0/a02e82f506b8f99207d861ceb1c660e5.JPG/

No timing belts for me. :wink:  :D
Title: Do you change your own timing belt?
Post by: Dave on November 14, 2005, 17:19:17
I did mine with a little help. Take your time check & re check as you go not a hard job really.
Title: Do you change your own timing belt?
Post by: IamGoliath on November 14, 2005, 18:49:02
:D My 200 tdi cambelt broke a half mile from home----[!Expletive Deleted!].  Due to the cost I opted to attempt the replacement and repair myself, it's not as hard as you may think, I had never done one before on any type of vehicle.  Thankfully the only damage was bent pushrods, so, 8 new pushrods, 1 new belt, gaskets and a new woodruft key (as mine was worn) along with alot of grunts and groans I managed to strip it all down, get the worst pushrods out with a claw hammer, remembering to lever against a piece of wood to protect the valvetrain, clean up the area, set the pump timing with a drill bit the camshaft with the marks on the casing and the crank TDC with the mark above the woodruft key shaft.  Slipped the belt on, fitted the tensioner on and set the approx tension with a torque wrench, plenty of gasket seal on both sides as well as the gasket and put it all back together.  Be carefull not to mix the casing bolts up as there are differing sizes.  To my relief it started first turn of the key and has kept running for approx 3000 miles now.  No special tools were purchased or used other than the spanner to remove the viscous fan.  Hope this inspires some of you to tackle the job yourself, I am no mechanic but mechanical knowledge is a must.
Title: Do you change your own timing belt?
Post by: Reaper on November 14, 2005, 18:59:24
Yup I do all the work on all my vehicles and I have just done the T/belt housing, T/belt, tensioner and pulley on My Disco, just take your time and follow the manual. Fortunatly or unfortunatly I am not very trusting when it come to getting other poeple to do work for me be it mechanics, plumbing, electrics, decorating or building, infact anything that I can learn to do for myself for that matter!   :lol:
yes ok I am sad and tight  :lol:
Title: Do you change your own timing belt?
Post by: Bulli on November 14, 2005, 19:17:45
If i had a timing belt i would do it myself....i avoid them neither car has one..chains are better for long life and no maintainence.
I had a bad experience where the LOCAL garage messed up - 300 miles later the new belt went pop and took out the followers and a couple of rods! They then tried to blame the belt manufacturer - i never got the job done to my satisfaction. But if you can help and learn its not a bad way to do it...would be daunting if you were working from haynes book of lies.
Title: Do you change your own timing belt?
Post by: J B on November 14, 2005, 21:00:17
i do it myself :oops:
Title: Do you change your own timing belt?
Post by: seph234 on November 14, 2005, 21:22:41
i voted for yes but i havnt done mine yet ive done a timing belt on a transit so when the time comes i will do mine :D
Title: Do you change your own timing belt?
Post by: Xtremeteam on November 14, 2005, 21:23:33
i did mine,rebuilt the engine in my 90,did the HG,& done 4 other timing belts & only 1 has came back with a prob due to a faulty seal
Title: Re: Do you change your own timing belt?
Post by: chris9119 on November 15, 2005, 05:40:26
Quote from: "jnoshea"
My main reasons for this are a fear of shafting the engine by getting it wrong, and the fact that all the specialist tools needed amount to more than the job will cost in a garage (which seems to be about £150).  Do you do yours?


 :?:  :?:  :?:  :?:  :?: , what special tools :?:  :?:  :?:  :?:  :?:

I've done mine twice so far and haven't brought any special tools.

Chris

ps: if your just changing the belt, for the sake of it and pulleys are ok, you don't have to worry about upsetting the timing. cut the belt in half (down the middle), slide on the new one and then cut off the old half and finish off pushing on the new one.... job's a gooden :idea:
Title: Do you change your own timing belt?
Post by: chris9119 on November 15, 2005, 05:41:27
Quote from: "Paul"
My 200tdi has a Zeus timing gear convertion kit fitted. 8)

http://members.mud-club.com/profiles/Paul/gallery/BAB/0/a02e82f506b8f99207d861ceb1c660e5.JPG/

No timing belts for me. :wink:  :D


whats this then :?:  :?:

Chris
Title: Do you change your own timing belt?
Post by: Paul on November 15, 2005, 07:00:55
Quote from: "chris9119"
Quote from: "Paul"
My 200tdi has a Zeus timing gear convertion kit fitted. 8)

http://members.mud-club.com/profiles/Paul/gallery/BAB/0/a02e82f506b8f99207d861ceb1c660e5.JPG/

No timing belts for me. :wink:  :D


whats this then :?:  :?:

Chris


It replaces the timing belt with gears.  :D  www.zeus.uk.com
Title: Do you change your own timing belt?
Post by: wizard on November 15, 2005, 08:43:10
I snapped one at Billing a few years ago.
Changed it between lunch and supper followed by lots of Stella.

wizard
Title: Do you change your own timing belt?
Post by: Hightower on November 15, 2005, 08:46:59
What's a timing belt?  Have looked it up in the TD5 manual and I don't have one  :wink:
Title: Re: Do you change your own timing belt?
Post by: jnoshea on November 15, 2005, 08:48:36
Quote from: "chris9119"
Quote from: "jnoshea"
My main reasons for this are a fear of shafting the engine by getting it wrong, and the fact that all the specialist tools needed amount to more than the job will cost in a garage (which seems to be about £150).  Do you do yours?


 :?:  :?:  :?:  :?:  :?: , what special tools :?:  :?:  :?:  :?:  :?:

I've done mine twice so far and haven't brought any special tools.

Chris

ps: if your just changing the belt, for the sake of it and pulleys are ok, you don't have to worry about upsetting the timing. cut the belt in half (down the middle), slide on the new one and then cut off the old half and finish off pushing on the new one.... job's a gooden :idea:


What a freaking superb tip! Thanks.
Concerning the 'no special tools then' How do stop the crankshaft from turning when you're trying to undo the nut holding the pulley/damper on, I understand that it is done up to a very high torque.  And don't you need a special puller to get the pulley/damper off?  My father is coming up on the weekend to help me get the head back on, but if I can do the job without any special tools I might have a go at the timing belt too.
Title: Re: Do you change your own timing belt?
Post by: chris9119 on November 15, 2005, 10:33:53
Quote from: "jnoshea"
Quote from: "chris9119"
Quote from: "jnoshea"
My main reasons for this are a fear of shafting the engine by getting it wrong, and the fact that all the specialist tools needed amount to more than the job will cost in a garage (which seems to be about £150).  Do you do yours?


 :?:  :?:  :?:  :?:  :?: , what special tools :?:  :?:  :?:  :?:  :?:

I've done mine twice so far and haven't brought any special tools.

Chris

ps: if your just changing the belt, for the sake of it and pulleys are ok, you don't have to worry about upsetting the timing. cut the belt in half (down the middle), slide on the new one and then cut off the old half and finish off pushing on the new one.... job's a gooden :idea:


What a freaking superb tip! Thanks.
Concerning the 'no special tools then' How do stop the crankshaft from turning when you're trying to undo the nut holding the pulley/damper on, I understand that it is done up to a very high torque.  And don't you need a special puller to get the pulley/damper off?  My father is coming up on the weekend to help me get the head back on, but if I can do the job without any special tools I might have a go at the timing belt too.


I stuck a drill bit through a hole that was there :idea:  :idea:

Chris
Title: Re: Do you change your own timing belt?
Post by: jnoshea on November 15, 2005, 12:08:51
Quote from: "chris9119"
Quote from: "jnoshea"
Quote from: "chris9119"
Quote from: "jnoshea"
My main reasons for this are a fear of shafting the engine by getting it wrong, and the fact that all the specialist tools needed amount to more than the job will cost in a garage (which seems to be about £150).  Do you do yours?


 :?:  :?:  :?:  :?:  :?: , what special tools :?:  :?:  :?:  :?:  :?:

I've done mine twice so far and haven't brought any special tools.

Chris

ps: if your just changing the belt, for the sake of it and pulleys are ok, you don't have to worry about upsetting the timing. cut the belt in half (down the middle), slide on the new one and then cut off the old half and finish off pushing on the new one.... job's a gooden :idea:


What a freaking superb tip! Thanks.
Concerning the 'no special tools then' How do stop the crankshaft from turning when you're trying to undo the nut holding the pulley/damper on, I understand that it is done up to a very high torque.  And don't you need a special puller to get the pulley/damper off?  My father is coming up on the weekend to help me get the head back on, but if I can do the job without any special tools I might have a go at the timing belt too.


I stuck a drill bit through a hole that was there :idea:  :idea:

Chris


What to stick in between the teeth of the flywheel?
And what about getting the pulley wheel off, did you rig up a makeshift puller?
Title: Do you change your own timing belt?
Post by: ChrisW on November 15, 2005, 13:27:09
There is a very good guide on difflock on replacing the timing belt with a few hints and tips on  :wink: have a look under the technical archive.
Title: Do you change your own timing belt?
Post by: Mace on November 15, 2005, 14:27:56
Quote from: "Paul"
It replaces the timing belt with gears.  :D  www.zeus.uk.com


My mate Ollie's got Zeus on his too. Bit noiser than normal but nothing to worry about at all. Except he's done 2 crankshaft pully seals in a short space of time. Bit strange when it starts weeping oil. Oh and the bonus is you don't have to fit a wading plug coz it's a sealed unit.

Back to Timing Belts, I've not changed the one on my 300tdi but I have changed one on a NAD 90. Piece of cake really and that was after it dropped 4 valves and bent the pushrods.

It's good to know someone who's got the correct tools tho.  :wink:
Title: Do you change your own timing belt?
Post by: beast5680 on November 15, 2005, 14:51:35
I would do and have done my own but then i am a mechanic by trade so its not a black art :wink:  but i have paid for them to be done when i havent had time and i would pay if i wasnt mechanically minded
Title: Do you change your own timing belt?
Post by: Xtremeteam on November 15, 2005, 16:29:33
Quote from: "Hightower"
What's a timing belt?  Have looked it up in the TD5 manual and I don't have one  :wink:
well you do have a chain that unscrews the oil pump bolt  :lol:
Title: Do you change your own timing belt?
Post by: Wanderer on November 15, 2005, 17:00:32
Quote from: "RedlineMike"
Quote from: "Hightower"
What's a timing belt?  Have looked it up in the TD5 manual and I don't have one  :wink:
well you do have a chain that unscrews the oil pump bolt  :lol:


That was below the belt!

:lol:

Pun intended!
Title: Do you change your own timing belt?
Post by: J B on November 15, 2005, 18:03:12
when changing the cam belt on a 3oo tdi  with serpantine belt, in order to get the bottom pulley bolt undone you :-

remove serantine belt from the alternator, then fold the excess of the belt into itself at the crank pulley, depending on which side of the crank pulley, for either undoing or doing up, the belt then grips into the pulley so you can undo or do up the crank bolt

no special tools needed, other than summat to get the viscus fan off, which i did with a thick strip of steel with a 30mm slot in, though i fitted a kenlowe kit at the same time so i dont have to worry about that again 8)

ta jon
Title: Re: Do you change your own timing belt?
Post by: ben_haynes on November 15, 2005, 23:32:09
Quote from: "jnoshea"
specialist tools needed


a couple of old drill bits to lock the cam pulley and diesel pump pulley up, it is easy
Title: Do you change your own timing belt?
Post by: Bulli on November 15, 2005, 23:44:27
You dont write the manuals so you?....just kidding, i thought i'd been rumbled for my earlier comment!
Title: Do you change your own timing belt?
Post by: petergalileo on November 17, 2005, 04:55:37
I can change an engine, top up air-con, remove gearboxes, take bodies off etc etc.

I never do timing belts, with modern engines, there is so little clearance between pistons and valves, best left to the garage.  If it breaks or is done incorrectly, you can take it back to them.  if you DIY it, its your problem !

Doesn't help that the first one I ever did, I did incorrectly and knackered the engine.  It was lucky it was a Lada Samara so was worth about the same afterwards anyway, besides, engine was an option on it anyway ! LOL

Besides, my V8 doesnt have a timing belt  :twisted:

Peter
Title: Do you change your own timing belt?
Post by: jnoshea on November 17, 2005, 09:11:40
Well, egg'd on by a 55% majority I decided to give it a go  :shock:

Unfortunately, couldn't get the crankshaft pulley nut undone.  I managed to restrain the crankshaft using the 'tucked in belt' method mentioned by jon boy, which worked a treat but the nut was done up so tight that I managed to bend my wheelbrace trying  :cry:

Besides, I have enough to do this weekend: strip the head, get the head back on, fit new turbo, flush intercooler, change oil and filters. 8)
Title: Do you change your own timing belt?
Post by: IamGoliath on November 17, 2005, 16:49:00
:D For those of you who are struggling with the removel of the crankshart pulleyGet a good quality spanner to fit the nut, turn the engine over with the spanner until the spanner rests on the chassis, making sure you turn it in the direction that the engine turns when running, then making sure that nobody is near the engine bay, flick the ignition key quickly on and straight off again, this will start the nut moving.  This sounds abit extreme but it does work.  JUST BE CAREFULL!.
SimplePortal 2.3.5 © 2008-2012, SimplePortal