(Another) Timing Belt Change

[Roy Lewington]

This was on my winter job list and this time I tried the technique of cutting the old belt in half. All I can say is it worked for me.  Armed with a new new blade in my Stanley Knife I found it easy to cut the belt whilst turning the crank with a spanner.  With the old belt cut I slightly reduced the tension to slide the new belt on half way.  Then---- old belt off, new belt pushed on and tensioned.  Saves having to lock the pullies. I don't like destroying things but I had a spare from the previous change.       Last time I had a real struggle to refit the aircon belt so this time I fiitted the belts to the crank pulley just before sliding the pulley back onto the crank and bolting it in.   Don't forget to orientate the tensioner correctly (swing down).     

Draining the coolant, removing 3 belts, removing the alloy triangle support and disturbing 3 hoses with barely enough room to reach anything it really is a poor design from a maintenance point of view.  I am still in love with this thing but only just!

[DaKa]

Did you do this then with the engine in situ presumably - well done if you did.

I will need to do likewise at some point, but thankfully mine was changed by the previous owner with engine out last year so I have time to prepare..

[Roy Lewington]

Yes, all done with the engine in place.

[Barrykearley]

It’s so simple like this

but possible with patience insitu ?

[Escape]

Even with the engine in the car it's not too bad. You should try a modern with a transverse engine for a real challenge!

[Barrykearley]

Next time fit a blue belt - and you don’t have to do it every 2 years that way

[Roy Lewington]

What is the recommended life span for a blue belt?   Didn't they have a noise problem with these?

[Barrykearley]

Some folks get a slight whine - I did. Sorted by relooking at the tensioning in my case. It’s supposedly something like a 7 year 100k mile belt - not sure I’d leave it that long - but Its a damn sight nicer than swearing like made every 2 years