Timing belt change questions

HI guys

Read up all the relevant threads on here regarding changing the timing belt
I  have started to loosen the bolts to remove the following

- crank pulley - 4 allens
- waterpump pulley - 3 allens - one is seriously threaded
- cam pulley - 1 bolt

I have a few questions

1. Can I change the timing belt without taking the water pump pulley off
2. Will the lower timing belt cover come off without the waterpump pulley coming off?
3. how do I tension the tensioner?

I haven't taken anything off yet just wanted to make sure I could loosen the bolts ready to take off first which im glad I did as the water pump bolt will need chopping off

thanks for the help in advance

Alps

 

Ok, continued with the dismantling

1 & 2. No you cant change the timing belt without taking off the Waterpump Pulley as the cover is tight behind it. DOH!

3. worked it out

Threaded waterpump bolt was seized on hard, torq bit hammered just sheared the bolt more so ended up drilling the head off, funny as it was spinning nicely after that and managed to unscrew the remainder easily.

will update with pics once completed the next phase

I use circlip pliers with a bent end to tension my belt, just make sure you tension the belt the right way or you wont get the plastic cover back on as the tensioner will be in the way.
Check and double check all the timing marks once the belts is back on as it's really easy to be a tooth out, the car will start and run but will be down on power and may pink under load. If it sounds like a super charger is fitted once the belt had been tensioned it means it to tight.

I use a little spot of copper grease on the threads of the bolts for the water pump and bottom pulley so they are easier to get out next time.

you can tension it using a single allen key. put your 15mm socket on the nut and fit your allen key small end into one of the holes. push down on the long end of the allen key and brace to the 15mm socket, keep pushing until desired tension is achieved, nip up nut

thanks guys

Mark - timing may have been out already as it pinked under load- it could have also been to the oil pump on its way out, so I have bought a new one of those too. new bolts arrived so will grease them up.

rubjonny - thanks , that's a good tip

have been away for a few days so will carry on today as the 2nd seal for the intermediate shaft has now arrived.

thanks guys

nearly there

Changed all the seals put everything back together no problem

I am however struggling to keep the crank from moving when doing up the tensioner, I tried about x10 times and it still looks out buy a cog compared to the cam.

any tips here? thanks

when I do it I line up the crank then put the cam on a tooth forward, then fit belt and turn it anti-clockwise till you get around 90degree twist on the belt long run. if the 2 marks line up then do the tensioner, turn engien over 360 degrees and recheck tension and marks, adjust as necessary.

the smallest unit of adjustment is 1 tooth so once you do this you can see if the cam needs moving a tooth either way, or if its close enough

Thanks John!

Managed to get it all back together, seemed half a tooth out but after looking at some threads it seems normal!

threw me a bit when I had two of the leads the wrong way round but that's sorted now.

thanks for all the help

I find with the timing belt either it first right 1st time no problem or you spend hours trying get it lined up, glad it's all sorted

so a quick update

after changing the timing belt etc it seemed to be as it was before , still a little lumpy and hesitating on low and high revs.

last few months its been sitting in the garage so i thought id give a few things a go to get it running properly again, so i changed the following;

- tank fuel pump
- outside main fuel pump
- swapped coil
- swapped ignition module

just need to know what i can check on the metering head as that might be the culprit!