I thought I would do a postscript on my now completed cambelt change which didn't run quite as smoothly as I expected. Despite this I would recommend any member with a decent set of tools and access to a cam locking kit to do their own. I am quite chuffed.
I obtained the OOF DVD quite a while ago and found this very useful. I ran into some difficulties and they are listed below. Due to the time window for doing the job I had to get it done this week which just happened to co- incide with the peak hayfever pollen season here. I have never suffered before but this year would happily have gouged my eyes out with a chisel and poured molten asphalt down my throat on Tuesday night. To make matters worse the hayfever medication (ebastel) that I was taking made me feel like I was coming out from an anaesthetic all the time!
http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww248/Moleones/pollen.jpg 3 days worth of pollen!
1.First day I just couldn't get the belt adjustment correct and concluded that it was in part a tooth out after advice from the forum, abandoned the job. Second day spent hiding indoors.
2.Starting from scratch day three, I thought I would lock the cams and start from scratch; 3 and 4 went fine but as I half expected as I loosened the belt on 2 it moved forward about 30 degrees. Slightly disconcerted to see two timing marks but Haynes explained that well enough. I “eased” it back carefully and fitted the red tool and then removed the belt.
3.Fitting the loop around the bottom pulley with the marks in place was a bit tricky. If you angle the mirror you can make the two white marks be anywhere you like! In the end I was satisfied that it was more or less right. If pushed would say it was “slightly to the left. Funnily enough I have just found this: http://www.vauxhallownersnetwork.co.uk/showthread.php?t=163947. My kit is a VSE130!
4.After the initial couple of adjustments, I did tons of further 360 revolutions plus checking and each time the timing marks lined up perfectly and the tension was spot on for a new belt.
5.Came to fit the water pump pulley and it wouldn't rotate but did without the pulley. The pump was a Quinton Hazel job part no QCP 3255. The reason was the bolts catch on the flutes of the pump body because the drive flange is thinner! Solved that by packing out with washers. A bodge if you like. It is easier and cheaper for me to get stuff mail order from the UK than from Spain, downside is in this case not a VX pump.
Overall I am quite pleased with the outcome – the timing is a lot more accurate than it was!.It drives a bit better too (I think).
I have to say a very big thank you to the forum. First for giving me the confidence to tackle the job and the support when things weren't going well. Also thanks to everyone for forum help and PM's and to Omegatoy for offer of coming over to help if needed. It all is really very appreciated.
Varche
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Topic: V6 cambelt change - The Postscript (Read 631 times)