cambelt (petrol engine)

Pompey_Dave · Post by **Pompey_Dave** » 11 Oct 2010, 13:40

I have looked through and seen so many questions on cambelts for the TD engines, but must be limited, or missed the petrol engined threads

Basically, I am wondering whats needed, tool wise for this, does it need specialist tools?

Also, is its a harder than normal job? the garage the car sales place use has refused the job as he cant stand working on these cars, which is strange for a garage but hey, his loss...My family friend mechanic believes he may need specialised tools so not sure if he can do it

Is it really that hard to do on these cars???

So, who has done a petrol engined cambelt that can give me an idea of what the cost of parts would be roughly?

thanks

jgra1 · Post by **jgra1** » 11 Oct 2010, 15:17

Dave, i dont think I have done one on a 1.8 Xant, but i cant see it's any harder or needs any major bits over a Deisel one.. should be a straightforward job really

others will know more..

I did a 1.8 twin cam escort and the V6, neither horrendous.. its access that makes the job hard, access to the belts and getting everything out of the way first..

spider · Post by **spider** » 11 Oct 2010, 15:34

I did some on 406's 1.8 / 2.0 but we are going back about 10 years ago.

From memory: you need a pin or large bolt to insert into the crank pulley before removing it so its in the correct place, there's a casting on the block (like a U shaped thing)

I cannot remember if the cams have locking pins too, I think so.

One thing I do remember, if you take the pulley off and its not lined up , you may need a new pulley as its not unknown for them to separate, its not possible easily to do a belt (as you cannot find TDC) if this is the case.

Pompey_Dave · Post by **Pompey_Dave** » 11 Oct 2010, 16:18

I went onto the GSF website, seems that its not even £90 for a water pump and cam belt kit so not bad really!

Its just the job that seems hard to get people to do lol!

citronut · Post by **citronut** » 11 Oct 2010, 19:05

if its a twin cam i think you lock the cam,s at the gearbox end, remove the cam covers then line up the cam's and there is a slot across the end of both, which you place a length of flat steel bar about a 1/4 of an inch thick,
and peg the crank as Andy say's i think its an 8 or 10mm bolt used for this,

so not anything to special in the tool department,

regards malcolm

spider · Post by **spider** » 11 Oct 2010, 20:15

citronut wrote:if its a twin cam i think you lock the cam,s at the gearbox end, remove the cam covers then line up the cam's and there is a slot across the end of both, which you place a length of flat steel bar about a 1/4 of an inch thick,
and peg the crank as Andy say's i think its an 8 or 10mm bolt used for this,

so not anything to special in the tool department,

regards malcolm

I think that's for the Zetec engines ?

(the bar across the flats at the back) although I could be wrong. I do vaguely recall using a camlock tool, although I had the proper pin for the crank alignment.

addo · Post by **addo** » 11 Oct 2010, 21:52

Warning! Possibly inaccurate information... Based on observation and foggy memories of past observation.

The cams may have five of six millimetre pin (locating) holes through the first bearing cap past their pulley.

Mi16s also have a frontal pin; you don't need to remove the timing covers.

Later 16V motors have the crank pinning hole located off the damper outer ring, so you either need a "definitely, treely ruly known good" damper or buy a newie.

Toby_HDi · Post by **Toby_HDi** » 11 Oct 2010, 22:16

addo wrote:Later 16V motors have the crank pinning hole located off the damper outer ring, so you either need a "definitely, treely ruly known good" damper or buy a newie.

The Turbo CT has this too. Thanks to a heads up from Jim, a quick trip to the scrappy saw a solid one procured from a 205.

Dave, judging by your name I'm guessing you in Portsmouth. You're welcome to borrow the solid pulley I have and if you want to have a go at the belt itself I'm willing to help. I've done two now, a HDi and a V6. The V6 with its adjustable pulleys are about as difficult as it gets. After doing a couple I find the stigma of a cambelt job has all but disappeared, you have to be careful and thorough yes, but there isn't much to it in the end.

jgra1 · Post by **jgra1** » 11 Oct 2010, 23:18

thats good of you Toby

It must be a single cam if a xantia 1.8?

(my fault for mentioning the F word earlier

)

citronut · Post by **citronut** » 12 Oct 2010, 07:35

John wrote
"It must be a single cam if a xantia 1.8?"

there is a 1.8 16V XANT

regards malcolm

Pompey_Dave · Post by **Pompey_Dave** » 12 Oct 2010, 08:11

Thankyou toby, but as for me doing it, I wouldnt have a clue so I have to pay someone to either do it for me, or help me and show me the ropes, I would probably kill my car haha!

I can do alot of different work to cars as I have been taught many things over the years, my old man used to be a mechanic but he doesnt do anything to cars anymore, and he keeps telling me he is too old to do it now too haha!

As for the engine, my car is the mk2 1800 16v

If someone wants to help me and knows what they are doing then im more than happy to pay for peoples time, just depends how far away from portsmouth people are

jgra1 · Post by **jgra1** » 12 Oct 2010, 09:08

sorry I didnt even know there was a 16V 1.8.. will get my coat

Pompey_Dave · Post by **Pompey_Dave** » 12 Oct 2010, 14:18

A friends mate has just said that he will do my cam belt.......£115 but I got to buy the parts!!!

Thats a bit steep isnt it considering I wont even get a receipt or anything with it!

Or am I deluding myself to think that it can be cheaper?

MikeT · Post by **MikeT** » 12 Oct 2010, 14:55

Dave, take Toby's offer, buy the parts and swot up on the procedure from a Haynes manual. Chances are, you'll not only find you can do it yourself, but the rewards of DIY are more than worth it.

I'd be happy to help too as I enjoy new learning experiences and as Toby mentioned, if we can do a V6, a straight four should be a walk in the park. Go on, accept the challenge.

citroenxm · Post by **citroenxm** » 12 Oct 2010, 15:08

Begs my Question, mobile Citroen Mechanic???

Where are you Dave? My guess is your bound to be soooo far away!!

Paul