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[SMD]

Quick bit of history, bought this car January 2011 and Mr.Wellung did the cambelt on day one. Never doubted the guys work but I always felt the car should be quicker was and accelleration was sluggish. There was also a massive hesitation when foot was buried in the carpet, James noticed this when we went for live data run (after camcovers + service). My previous car was a manual 2.5 Omega with 3l cams which was noticeably faster. It came to my attention recently that Lee did Red Barons/blackvipers cambelt which turned out to be timed incorrectly so JamesV6CDX kindly offered to look at it and re-time it if needed, free of charge!

So visited James yesterday and this is what we (or should I just say he) discovered:

With cams locked in place, you can see the crank is out.


Cams 1 + 2 (I think thats what they are, lol)


Cam 3


Cam 4


The belt was also rubbing on something and the inside of the belt was slightly worn. You can see the mess made by the shavings


A poor pic showing the inside of the belt



If there are other cars with cambelts done by Mr. Ung, for peace of mind (at least) I would recommend getting it checked.

Thanks again to James for helping out a stranger (and not wanting anything in return). He really did have other pressing things to do (like cleaning the kitchen and washing up!)    I should add he did all the above while explaining it/talking and making time for pictures in 1hr 15mins

[blackviper90210]

James, you really are one in a million mate!

Not just because you do it for either little or nothing in return, but for the fact that you care so much about other peoples cars, as if they were your own

You share your knowledge and help without a second thought and I for one, am very grateful....


Cheers mate

[Proz]

Yes he certainly is one in a million .
Wish he lived near me as i dont have the balls to attempt my 4 pot belt 

[Webby the Bear]

Well done James.  you r a star

[Rods2]

James you are a credit to yourself, and to the OOF forum.

[JamesV6CDX]

Any difference in how it drives?

[PAULCDX]

Well done James, happy to say my car runs mint since you did the belt and all other work. 

Keep up the good work mate 

[SMD]

Yes, remarkably. It pulls a lot better from a standing start no more hesitation.     A40 was fun !

[PhilRich]

Well Done James!

[GastronomicKleptomaniac]

Nice one James.

[JamesV6CDX]

Just to add to SMD's comments....

The belt had also been over tensioned. This has had the following knock on effect:

1) The outside run of the belt had been basically "melting" itself to the idler faces. You can see by looking at the belt and the idlers that this is the case.

2) It's put additional strain on the bearings etc in the idler pullies - they didn't feel like pulleys that had done 5k when rotated.


Also, as mentioned, the belt had been rubbing a little on the inside edge.

The only reason I could see for this is because the bolt securing the lower idler was practically finger tight. I wonder if this has allowed a little movement, and as such, caused the belt to rub on the outer lip of an idler.

We could guess all day, but my instinct is that this belt kit was not fitted using the proper setting tools (merely cam locks)

In all honestly, although this cambelt kit has only done 5,000 miles, I don't think it's got another 35,000 safely left in it, now.

If the car were mine, I'd replace it, along with that awful howling pattern waterpump. If you want to get the parts and bring it down / meet up sometime, we can do the honours...

[SMD]

Thanks for your input James. This is what I was dreading.    I thought I would replace it a year early but it might not even last that long (it may but its a risk). I'll see how the finances stack up, got a few big car expenses looming in the next few months and need to sort the spongy brakes and blowing exhaust!   

[JamesV6CDX]

Buypartsby kit (contitech - fine to use) comes in at around £58+ VAT at the moment I think

[JamesV6CDX]

Thanks for your input James. This is what I was dreading.    I thought I would replace it a year early but it might not even last that long (it may but its a risk). I'll see how the finances stack up, got a few big car expenses looming in the next few months and need to sort the spongy brakes and blowing exhaust!

With the brakes - am I right in thinking you already have the new pads, so it's just a case of fitting them? Ref the spongyness, a full brake fluid change would be best.

With the exhaust - I think it just needs reseating a little better where it joins the cats, and, some decent exhaust clamps using on the mid sections to rear box.

Get yourself down here,  and don't forget to bring the pads and some Brake fluid

[SMD]

James, you are right a full brake bleed is needed because the brake fluid is literally black! I already have the brake fluid which is the cheap bit (and the pads - not so cheap!). Its the more expensive items such as tools, new axle stands and odds and sods that really add up else I would have attempted it myself. Re the exhaust, I've been thinking about binning it 5 mins after it was fitted so now may be the right time.

The contitech kit, I take it that does not come with a waterpump? I'll pm andy to see how much they are, iirc you said around £60ish. I am potless at the moment but I am owed some money but its taking a while to find its way to me. I will let you know when I get it.

Thanks James, I dont know what to say.