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[Grottblatt]

Needing to change the timing belt on my 2.6 CDX, I purchased a kit from my dealer and the OOF DVD, which should be required viewing for anyone who has never done this before (imvho). All went well until iI came to fit the new belt, when I found that apart from the part number/ barcode etc there were no other markings on it. So has the design changed or did I get sold the wrong thing? The (main) dealer insists that belts are not marked anyway, despite me holding an old one with faintly visible markings! In researching this job I came across phrases like ". . . imperative to align the marks correctly . . " and ". . . serious engine damage can result . . . ." So was all the original advice unnecessary or is this a magic belt? Can anyone shed some light on this please?

[ians]

That sounds like a GM belt?

Actually I think the marks are just an aid to fitting. As long as the timing and tensioner are set up correctly it should be fine.

I think (others can confirm or otherwise) that the 2.6 (and 3.2) have a fixed non adjustable right hand tensioner and the belt should be fed anticlockwise from the crank.

[Chris_H]

The GM kit I just fitted had no markings that Haynes described (including directional arrows!).  This might just be 'progress'.

I can't tell you if it's a problem for 41k miles unfortunately.

[Kevin Wood]

As said, the markings are just a guide and the important thing is to get the timing marks correctly lined up, and to check that they remain lined up after the belt has been correctly tensioned and the engine turned over 720 degrees.

IIRC, the Vauxhall recommendation when fitting the belt is to rotate the crank back 10 degrees from the TDC position before fitting the right hand run of the belt up to cams 3 and 4 and then to turn it back to TDC, making sure it doesn't slip out of the teeth in the sprocket, as you come to fit the left hand belt run over the tensioner. It buys you a little more slack in the right hand belt run and avoids ending up a tooth out. It is easier with the markings. Could you perhaps transfer the markings from the old belt onto the new belt?

Kevin

[ians]

I don't think I have ever seen an old belt that still has the markings on it Kevin.  I guess you could tipex them on before removal :-?

[NickA]

That sounds like a GM belt?

Actually I think the marks are just an aid to fitting. As long as the timing and tensioner are set up correctly it should be fine.

I think (others can confirm or otherwise) that the 2.6 (and 3.2) have a fixed non adjustable right hand tensioner and the belt should be fed anticlockwise from the crank.

I just feed it round clockwise and 3/4 cams lined up. Maybe just beginners luck?

[jjleonard]

That sounds like a GM belt?

Actually I think the marks are just an aid to fitting. As long as the timing and tensioner are set up correctly it should be fine.

I think (others can confirm or otherwise) that the 2.6 (and 3.2) have a fixed non adjustable right hand tensioner and the belt should be fed anticlockwise from the crank.

I just feed it round clockwise and 3/4 cams lined up. Maybe just beginners luck?

Not beginners luck - the 2.6 kit that I fitted had a non adjustable right hand tensioner, andI fitted the belt clockwise without any problems. I would imagine it's a hell of a lot easier without belt markings - especially trying to line them up on the crank with a mirror!

[Grottblatt]

Thank you all for your help - much appreciated. I only hope I can return the favour some time. I have just finished cleaning the throttles and reassembling the plenum so tomorrow I'll have another go at the belt and report back.