C5 (X7) 3.0Hdi Cambelt Change DIY?

[basicasic]

Here is my dilemma. I moved to France 4 years ago, taking my beloved C5 with me (a 2009 3.0Hdi with 118000km on the clock now). I have another car which I use as a runaround so the C5 just gets taken out every now and then and for the occasional longer journey.

It's recently had it's 10th birthday and is due a cambelt change. The local indy garage quoted me just over €1000 and the nearest Citroen dealer around €1200. Both these quotes made me wince, particularly as the car has no intrinsic value in France as a RHD and not a lot back in the UK.

This got me thinking about the feasibility of doing the job myself. I'm reasonable with spanners, I do my own servicing, have changed cambelts on less complicated engines in the past and there would be no rush as I have another car which I use as a daily. However I can't find much information on the Internet about tackling the job and wondered if anyone here has attempted it or can advise on the wisdom of trying. Is there a guide anywhere that I could read?

I'm half tempted to just keep using it every now and then when I feel like it and hope for the best but Id be constantly worried so I don't think that's really an option.

[white exec]

That seems a high price. Recently had all three belts changed on 2.5 XM, and it came under Citroen's "fixed price" standard package, and was €600 including tax.
X7 a law unto itself, I know, and maybe a good few items get renewed when belts are done. Your quote should have the details.

[GiveMeABreak]

You'll also need to check the options for which you have been quoted. On 2.0 Litre HDi models there are 3 options:

There is the basic Belt kit
There is the Belt plus tensioner rollers kit
Then finally there is all the above plus the water pump kit.

But don't forget you have a V6 3.0 litre and they don't list any of the previous mentioned kits for this engine - just the component parts.

I suspect given the layout of this engine that will be the reason why the cost is a lot higher.

The time listed for the timing belt operation is 5.50 hours..... so that is probably why it is quite high by comparison and this includes draining the cooling system.

The operation for basic belt on mine was 3.30 hours, with an additional 2.60 hrs for the following additional operations:

REPLACE FRONT SEAL SUPPLEMENT
REPLACE TIMING PINION ON CRANKSHAFT SUPPLEMENT
REPLACE OIL SEAL (VALVE TIMING SIDE) SUPPLEMENT
REPLACE ROLLER TENSIONER SUPPLEMENT
REPLACE GUIDE ROLLER SUPPLEMENT
REPLACE WATER PUMP GASKET SUPPLEMENT
REPLACE WATER PUMP AND SEAL SUPPLEMENT

[RichardW]

There appears to be 2 belts! Here's a write up for a Discovery - the 'rear' belt ought to be easier on a transverse installation.

http://www.disco3.co.uk/forum/topic53674.html

I'll see if I can find the PSA procedure later.

[moizeau]

A grand, sounds about right in France, the mechs change everything in site because the parts are in a different tax bracket. They say it's to give a better guarantee. If you've got a good local one man band, ask for a cash price if you supply the parts. It depends whether you've used them before or know them though, but worth a go all the same.

[GiveMeABreak]

Just the one belt from this diagram of the 3.0 HDi fitted to this engine from what I can see....

[basicasic]

Thanks for the replies so far guys.

The Indy quote does not include water pump as they would check it first to see if it needs doing though it does include tension rollers. I can't find the Citroen quote at the minute to compare. Garage prices over here do seem high and so far every final bill I've had has always been miles over the quote.

There are belt and tension roller kits available over here for about €150 . They also list a injection pump belt which is what the second belt might be. I'm gradually reading through the Discovery thread mentioned above though I'm not sure how similar the procedure is in the C5. The job does look pretty daunting , but doable.

That said, I do know a one man band garage up in town that might be worth approaching (though trying to explain what I want in French will harder than the actual job probably ).

[RichardW]

The second belt is on the other end of the engine and drives the HP pump - probably not strictly necessary to change it as it is under less stress, and won't wreck anything if it breaks - the engine will just stop!! The water pump is external and driven by the aux belt, so not too much to worry about changing it unless it is obviously duff - although it is booked at 3.3 hours on its own. Here is the timing belt in all its g(l)ory!

And the rear belt - couldn't find a dedicated procedure, but this is part of the HP pump change - this belt is only listed at 0.6 hours; just remove what is needed from above it to get the cover off.

Retensioning the belt:

[basicasic]

Thanks for the guide RichardW. Food for thought for sure .........

[Activa TCT]

Replace the fuel belt as well, as they age, they fray and can get pulled into other belts and cause complete failure. They do have kevlar threads after all ...