Omega Owners Forum

Chat Area => General Car Chat => Topic started by: RichardH on 25 November 2009, 08:58:45

Title: Are V6 cambelt locking kits manufacturer specific?
Post by: RichardH on 25 November 2009, 08:58:45
Hi all,

I hear you all mentioning that it is essential to use the locking tool when changing the cam belt on the V6's so the last time I was talking to my mechanic I asked him did he have one and he said that he had.

Is the locking tool the same for all V6 engines or would I need to make sure that he has one specific for the Vauxhall / Opel V6?
Title: Re: Are V6 cambelt locking kits manufacturer specific?
Post by: serek on 25 November 2009, 09:17:29
Quote
Hi all,

I hear you all mentioning that it is essential to use the locking tool when changing the cam belt on the V6's so the last time I was talking to my mechanic I asked him did he have one and he said that he had.

Is the locking tool the same for all V6 engines or would I need to make sure that he has one specific for the Vauxhall / Opel V6?
they same for all VXL/OPEL V6 engines
Title: Re: Are V6 cambelt locking kits manufacturer specific?
Post by: feeutfo on 25 November 2009, 09:30:00
manufacturer specific. Gm wont fit lexus for example. By Gm i mean vx, saab, chrysler, and obviously opel, engine code relates more directly. The kit will work on several gm v6 engines, need to make sure your engine code is included. (not sure if all gm v6 lumps use the same lock kit?)

The locking kit for the v6 consists of two cam locking tools, a crank locking tool and a little wedge to stop the belt falling off the crank wheel.

4 pots have just a cam tool i beleive, and even thats not vital to the operation from what i gather..?
Title: Re: Are V6 cambelt locking kits manufacturer specific?
Post by: hotel21 on 25 November 2009, 12:37:21
V6 also has the all important double horse shoe timing setting tool.  Without that you are really wasting your time. . . . . .
Title: Re: Are V6 cambelt locking kits manufacturer specific?
Post by: tunnie on 25 November 2009, 12:47:03
Quote
manufacturer specific. Gm wont fit lexus for example. By Gm i mean vx, saab, chrysler, and obviously opel, engine code relates more directly. The kit will work on several gm v6 engines, need to make sure your engine code is included. (not sure if all gm v6 lumps use the same lock kit?)

The locking kit for the v6 consists of two cam locking tools, a crank locking tool and a little wedge to stop the belt falling off the crank wheel.

4 pots have just a cam tool i beleive, and even thats not vital to the operation from what i gather..?

My view it is, its a £5 tool which locks the cams solid, not sure i would trust locking plyers to hold them. Of course it could be done without, but for the sake of £5?
Title: Re: Are V6 cambelt locking kits manufacturer specific?
Post by: RichardH on 25 November 2009, 14:09:52
Thanks oh wise ones.  I will be making sure that he has the correct tool.

Title: Re: Are V6 cambelt locking kits manufacturer specific?
Post by: feeutfo on 25 November 2009, 16:32:03
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V6 also has the all important double horse shoe timing setting tool.  Without that you are really wasting your time. . . . . .
Oh yeah, and that thing. ;D

Without it your only reference is the marks on the back cam belt cover. When you see the double horse shoe thing in place you realise how accurate it is and how inaccurate the back cam cover marks are.
Title: Re: Are V6 cambelt locking kits manufacturer specific?
Post by: Alldi on 25 November 2009, 20:52:48
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manufacturer specific. Gm wont fit lexus for example. By Gm i mean vx, saab, chrysler, and obviously opel, engine code relates more directly.
:-?
Title: Re: Are V6 cambelt locking kits manufacturer specific?
Post by: goonv6 on 25 November 2009, 21:16:15
Quote
Hi all,

I hear you all mentioning that it is essential to use the locking tool when changing the cam belt on the V6's so the last time I was talking to my mechanic I asked him did he have one and he said that he had.

Is the locking tool the same for all V6 engines or would I need to make sure that he has one specific for the Vauxhall / Opel V6?

Can I just say that I love honest questions like this. All too often you ask something and people roll their eyes as if to say 'Don't you know anything'.

The answers here are correct to a point, certainly with regard to the V6 kit. However, some 4 pot engines require a complex system of locks, for example an Alfa TS requires a TDC tool, dial guage, camshaft locking blocks, something to lock the crank. A laguna locks the camshafts by means of a metal bar screwed to the block at the opposing end to the sprockets. The Daewoo 16v engine (based on Vauxhall Ecotec design requires no tool,just the alignment of markers). The Rover 16v just needs a match.

Its best not to cut corners, get the right kit and do it properly. The Miggy V6 uses a number of tools and the belt has markings that confusingly go out of alignment when you turn the engine (Use the markers on the crank and sprocket)
Title: Re: Are V6 cambelt locking kits manufacturer specific?
Post by: pedroMV6 on 25 November 2009, 21:22:17
Quote
manufacturer specific. Gm wont fit lexus for example. By Gm i mean vx, saab, chrysler, and obviously opel, engine code relates more directly. The kit will work on several gm v6 engines, need to make sure your engine code is included. (not sure if all gm v6 lumps use the same lock kit?)

The locking kit for the v6 consists of two cam locking tools, a crank locking tool and a little wedge to stop the belt falling off the crank wheel.

4 pots have just a cam tool i beleive, and even thats not vital to the operation from what i gather..?

Eh????? ::)

I was led to believe that the Sealey lock kits were a bit shoddy.
Title: Re: Are V6 cambelt locking kits manufacturer specific?
Post by: feeutfo on 26 November 2009, 00:31:40
oh alright, Cadilac then! .....is it? Ffs, who makes the Catera? Begins with C! (leave it!)

You know who i mean bloody pedantic buggers! ;D
Title: Re: Are V6 cambelt locking kits manufacturer specific?
Post by: Kevin Wood on 26 November 2009, 00:43:33
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I was led to believe that the Sealey lock kits were a bit shoddy.

Laser are the ones to watch. Don't recall seeing any compaints about Sealey ones. Obviously, if you come across a Sykes Pickavant ane for sensible money it will be better....

Kevin
Title: Re: Are V6 cambelt locking kits manufacturer specific?
Post by: TheBoy on 26 November 2009, 19:14:17
Quote
Quote
Hi all,

I hear you all mentioning that it is essential to use the locking tool when changing the cam belt on the V6's so the last time I was talking to my mechanic I asked him did he have one and he said that he had.

Is the locking tool the same for all V6 engines or would I need to make sure that he has one specific for the Vauxhall / Opel V6?

Can I just say that I love honest questions like this. All too often you ask something and people roll their eyes as if to say 'Don't you know anything'.

The answers here are correct to a point, certainly with regard to the V6 kit. However, some 4 pot engines require a complex system of locks, for example an Alfa TS requires a TDC tool, dial guage, camshaft locking blocks, something to lock the crank. A laguna locks the camshafts by means of a metal bar screwed to the block at the opposing end to the sprockets. The Daewoo 16v engine (based on Vauxhall Ecotec design requires no tool,just the alignment of markers). The Rover 16v just needs a match.

Its best not to cut corners, get the right kit and do it properly. The Miggy V6 uses a number of tools and the belt has markings that confusingly go out of alignment when you turn the engine (Use the markers on the crank and sprocket)
Most diesels have complex locks as well, to ensure crank, cam and pump are all perfect
Title: Re: Are V6 cambelt locking kits manufacturer specific?
Post by: Lazydocker on 26 November 2009, 23:24:37
Quote
Quote
Quote
Hi all,

I hear you all mentioning that it is essential to use the locking tool when changing the cam belt on the V6's so the last time I was talking to my mechanic I asked him did he have one and he said that he had.

Is the locking tool the same for all V6 engines or would I need to make sure that he has one specific for the Vauxhall / Opel V6?

Can I just say that I love honest questions like this. All too often you ask something and people roll their eyes as if to say 'Don't you know anything'.

The answers here are correct to a point, certainly with regard to the V6 kit. However, some 4 pot engines require a complex system of locks, for example an Alfa TS requires a TDC tool, dial guage, camshaft locking blocks, something to lock the crank. A laguna locks the camshafts by means of a metal bar screwed to the block at the opposing end to the sprockets. The Daewoo 16v engine (based on Vauxhall Ecotec design requires no tool,just the alignment of markers). The Rover 16v just needs a match.

Its best not to cut corners, get the right kit and do it properly. The Miggy V6 uses a number of tools and the belt has markings that confusingly go out of alignment when you turn the engine (Use the markers on the crank and sprocket)
Most diesels have complex locks as well, to ensure crank, cam and pump are all perfect

Although an awful lot of oil burners can be locked properly with a couple of bolts :y :y
Title: Re: Are V6 cambelt locking kits manufacturer specific?
Post by: capoMV6 on 27 November 2009, 00:20:55
Just had my timing belt replaced without using a locking tool.
Title: Re: Are V6 cambelt locking kits manufacturer specific?
Post by: albitz on 27 November 2009, 01:07:47
If its a v6 engine,rather you than me. :o
Title: Re: Are V6 cambelt locking kits manufacturer specific?
Post by: Kevin Wood on 27 November 2009, 09:20:29
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Just had my timing belt replaced without using a locking tool.

I would get the cam timing checked with a tool ASAP. :y

Kevin
Title: Re: Are V6 cambelt locking kits manufacturer specific?
Post by: Andy H on 27 November 2009, 09:41:20
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Quote
Just had my timing belt replaced without using a locking tool.

I would get the cam timing checked with a tool ASAP. :y

Kevin
Getting the cam timing spot on will probably give more of a performance boost than removing the catalytic converters. Depends how accurate the tippex was I suppose ::)

I did 70,000 miles in my last V6 and changed the cambelt (& tensioners) 3 times without the crank locking tool (because I didn't know any different). Shame I don't still have it, I am curious now about just how far out my cams were :-/
Title: Re: Are V6 cambelt locking kits manufacturer specific?
Post by: Kevin Wood on 27 November 2009, 10:59:41
With the cam timing out you're going to lose a little performance and economy. If it isn't far enough out to bend the valves the first time it's started I guess there's no permanent harm done.

What worries me most about jobs done without the locking tools is how did they lock the cam pulleys? If it was with a couple of mole wrenches have the pulleys been cracked / weakened?

Kevin
Title: Re: Are V6 cambelt locking kits manufacturer specific?
Post by: Alldi on 27 November 2009, 21:14:08
I had a Sealey VSE130 locking kit that didn't fit, the crank lock didn't latch onto the water pump, it missed by about 1/2", of course I couldn't find this out until I'd done all the dismantling. As a result of all the hassle I'll never buy Sealey tools again! >:(
Title: Re: Are V6 cambelt locking kits manufacturer specific?
Post by: Kevin Wood on 27 November 2009, 22:55:02
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I had a Sealey VSE130 locking kit that didn't fit, the crank lock didn't latch onto the water pump, it missed by about 1/2", of course I couldn't find this out until I'd done all the dismantling. As a result of all the hassle I'll never buy Sealey tools again! >:(

There was a spate of laser ones that did this a year or two back (inaccurate castings). Are you sure it was a Sealey one?

Kevin
Title: Re: Are V6 cambelt locking kits manufacturer specific?
Post by: Alldi on 28 November 2009, 23:05:44
Yep definitely a Sealey one. Laser ones are probably made by the same company but in different packaging