Outer Limits 4x4 Board

Just considering changing the timing belt on the Fez. No idea when it was changed last (ex dealer) so figured it was time.

I hate the idea of forking out to a mechanic, especially since I plan to own the car long enough to go through a couple of belts at least! After all, that money could well go toward fixing those rear springs.

I've got the manual, but was wondering if anyone who had done this before could offer any hints/tips. I'm not entirely inept when it comes to mech stuff, but this will be my first timing belt transplant.

* anything to watch for
* special tools (apart from torque wrench)
* recommended additional parts (replace tensioner/springs/etc?)
* punching bag?

All suggestions appreciated.

At one stage, I could strip down the timing belt in 20mins

(Only 'cause I farked up the timing and bent the valves)

Lotsa practise

Just as you say, replace your tensioner and make sure your timing is set before you crank it over.

It's easy going.
When removing the belt don't rotate/turn the crankshaft and don't rotate/turn the camshaft. Then it's just a replacement without timing changes.

I was wasting about 5 hrs for that job....(did it 4 weeks ago)

But i recomend you to remove the cooler when you are doing it the first time.

Haasa

Remove all Belts
Move Alternator out of the way (take it off)
Drain Radiator
Remove Radiator
Remove Clutch Fan

You now have lots of room in which to locate all the bolts holding the timing cover on

Remove timing cover
Loosen, remove Timing tensioner
Remove Timing Belt

Then, following Haasa's rule, replace belt and put everything back on in reverse order

also... depending on how many km/miles you have, you might want to look into replacing the the water pump as well but only if its close to it's death. since you gotta go through the whole process in order to reach the water pump. and yes you have to take the tensioner off to reach 2 bolts and be able to slide the water pump out.. i tried this.... ended up taking the timing belt off 4 or 5 times in one day.. so i got a bit of pratice. also, dont wait too long mate. thats where i made my mistake... i had figured that the timing belt needed to be changed on my org. engine while it was in the shop... but i ran out of cash so i figured i'd have it done the following weekend.. well.... half way through the week, timing belt broke and cost me an extra $500!

goo thinking PV.. yes to replace water pump, you have to at least release tensioner. I did this once and the bloody belt must have moved one cog, so had to get back in there and move it back. Mine had a problem with the front seals becoming hard, so had to replace them.

Mark all the locations!!!! the crank and cam against the block. The belt is PITA to put back on too.

go head and change the water pump I had the timeing changed and had to turn around a week latter and tear everything back apart to change the water pump

Skyzic wrote:go head and change the water pump I had the timeing changed and had to turn around a week latter and tear everything back apart to change the water pump

Same thing happened to me! I heard the pumps are very expensive though (around $180?), luckily mine was covered under warranty.

timing belt is easy coz belt has 2 dots on ti that MUST lign up with the 2 dots on the pulleys. if dots are not ligned up you will be up the creek with out the paddle.
Easy Job 2 Hours Max If Done By The Book

Up the creek? I take it you don't mean my Fez will be better at doing water crossings?

I'm all set to go now... if only this weather would relent a bit, i might get off my arse and make a start on it.

DeVooluff wrote:I'm all set to go now... if only this weather would relent a bit, i might get off my arse and make a start on it.

Nuthin' wrong with the weather...............get off ya ass and make a start !!!

You should be finished before dinner !!

B...B...But the pub is much warmer, and I dont think I should do it until the ale has worn off, what with all those yellow dots and torque settings and all!

All done now. Feroza is purring away nicely. The tensioner bearing was a little noisy, but otherwise, things looked pretty much in order in there.

I took a few happy snaps while I was in there, will post them soon for anyone interested. Thanks to everyone who proffered advice, it was most useful.



looks like that lower oil seal might be on the fritz though! :(

Roll on the next 100,000k!

as with the timing belt replacement, i bought a timing belt kit, which also had a seal of some sort?
any ideas of what seal it is (im assuming its the crankshaft or camshaft seal?) ? and how do i replace the seal?

misterhoang wrote:as with the timing belt replacement, i bought a timing belt kit, which also had a seal of some sort?
any ideas of what seal it is (im assuming its the crankshaft or camshaft seal?) ? and how do i replace the seal?

If it ain't broke - don't fix it.......

If there are no signs of oil leakage from either crank or cam once you have the covers off then IMO leave them alone. By all means change the belt though - if it fails it can be expensive.