Skip to main content

Timing belt replacement. How to replace easily without special tools on petrol and Diesel engines


Replacing timing belts or chains can be challenging to replace. Many of these look complicated to replace, especially on 16 valve variants. Many manuals recommend the use of timing lock kits. Most of the time these aren't needed for timing belt replacement. But are required when the belt has snapped causing internal engine damage.
Before you start it is paramount you establish if the engine has a floating crank pulley. Some ford petrol engines and Renault engines have these, so be aware. And can if not addressed cause catastrophic engine damage.
This is a guide and not vehicle specific so some variations may be found with different vehicles.
So to start. In most cases you will need to get to the timing belt or chain which means you will have to remove the air box, coolant header tank, and engine mount. Followed by the timing cover or casing. Removal of road wheel, wheel arch liner and engine cover will be necessary.
This is now where the interesting part starts. You will need by my recommendation a brightly coloured marker pen. Then complete the following.

  1. Mark the cam shaft pulley at the top clearly on the front face of toothed recess then along timing belt to the back plate. Also mark top of belt Top. This is a reference for yourself when replacing the new belt.
  2. Mark all other toothed pulleys the same including the crank pulley, irrespective of it being floating or not.
  3. If the engine has a floating crank you need to mark the flywheel the same. Some engines you may need to remove a flywheel cover. This gives you a reference mark when refitting new belt.
  4. Now simply remove belt and replace all guides, adjustment pulley and water pump if leaking or has a worn bearing.
  5. Take the old belt and place alongside the new belt, marking new belt exactly the same as the removed belt. This ensures once replaced all markings will be in exactly the same place from when it was removed. More importantly you will know it's fitted correctly and the timing will be perfect.
  6. Now refit timing belt and tension observing recommended tension procedures. Some vehicles like Volkswagen Diesel engines are very difficult to fit the new belt. This is easily resolved. Prior to fitting belt leave bottom guide off until the new belt is fitted. Then simply fit the replacement pulley and tension.
  7. Ensure all timing marking are correct. In the case of a floating crank pulley, refit pulley tightly. Then rotate engine two full crank shaft revolutions and check all timing marks match up. Only the pulley markings will marry up showing correct timing. All other markings need to be ignored.
  8. Simply rebuild in reverse order and test drive.
This guide can be used and or interpreted for most vehicles and engine types.


Comments

Popular posts from this blog

PSA 1.2 Puretech oil pressure fault. P15a8.

f you own a car with the PSA 1.2 Puretech Engine then this post is for you.  This engine is fitted to many vehicles including   Ford, Peugeot, Citroen, and Vauxhall’s  It has come apparent that these engines fault at about 40k miles.  The symptoms. 1. Upon almost first few accelerations from setting off the engine light comes on.  2. The vehicle odometer near 40k or multiples of.  3. Flagging fault P15A8 on diagnostic tool. This is a oil pressure fault   The problem.  This engine although a good engine with some fantastic technology built in has a timing belt that is inside the engine.  This may have seemed a good idea to the designers but it deteriorates in the engine oil, flaking off and clogs and blocking the oil pick up. If left could end up in major engine failure.  The solution.  Quite simple really, remove sump (easy task) check and clean oil pick up. Then change cambelt. Quite a Job.  If you want to see how to diagnose ...

How2fixit Hits 1000 subscribers

 How2fixit has just hit a new milestone, 1000 subscribers.  It’s been some time since I wrote a post. So thought I would make an update.  Got some really good content now. Over 100 videos/tutorials.  One of the latest series is covering a common fault with the PSA Puretech 1.2 engine. This is fitted to loads of vehicles including many ford, Peugeot, Citroen and some vauxhall cars.  https://m.youtube.com/c/how2fixit1/videos Please feel free to take a look 

Cheap tools or expensive premium tools?

OK so I get the argument. I got the best tools snap on, Mac tools with lifetime guarantee! The other guy are your mate says. Look at these tools I just bought really cheap, why pay the price you paid when you can have them for a fraction of the price. In my experience after 25 years in the motor trade I have come to a conclusion. But before I reveal my conclusion I have to say at the start of my time as a mechanic I was snap on tools all the way. Unfortunately now after paying a stupid amount for tools it doesn’t matter. What good is a tool you Left on the bulkhead costing £60 or a tool that cost you £6. I know the answer. It’s no good. But a £6 it’s easily replaceable. What’s more is that in my time in the trade I have found the quality to be almost as good as premium tools. Not to say it’s the same. To conclude if you are totally obsessed with your tools and you put them away after every use definitely consider the premium tool. But if you’re the busy mechanic or enthusiast I w...