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[JamesV6CDX]

Yesterday I went to help a member who had a water pump which was spraying coolant everywhere on a V6.

Upon arrival, I stripped down to the timing belt (Preferable to doing it with the cover on, to allow for mating surface cleaning) and swapped out the pump, and fitted the replacement.

The decision had already been made not to do the cambelt kit whilst in there, on the basis VX dealer had changed it 8,000 miles and only a few monts ago.

However, out of interest, I checked the valve timing.

All cams were at least two teeth too advanced. It was very close to valve/piston contact.

Needless to say it was corrected whilst all apart, and set c0ck on.

The point I'm making though, is that it's totally unacceptable to take a car to a VX dealer, pay top dealer money, and get such a bloody shoddy job... 

[kevinp58]

Squealers have been like that for years.  And they wonder why they get a bad name

[kcl]

How it ran with two teeth out timing? Must have been a bag of nails...? And also, AFAIK, coolant will destroy the belt when in contact...

[scottambrose]

bit like mine then

[Webby the Bear]

I could re-run over my bad Vauxhall experience.... so i will.

went in for severe lack of power, got it back with a HT lead replaced.... all fixed mr webb (i knew nowt about motors at this point). all that cost me £285 iirc 

a day later its just as bad again.

took it to dazzle on here. plug wells FULL of oil and one bad HT lead causing the misfire.

how did they miss this? any mechanic knows the HT leads are meant to be dry in the valve cover.... so not only did they not spot the bad ht lead, they also must have popped them out and seeing all the oil completely ignored it and sent it on its way!!!!!!!!!

they closed down shortly after! Good!

[TheBoy]

Hang on, Mr JamesV6, it seems every one you do is out.  Can I see a pattern forming

[JamesV6CDX]

Not biting, you cheeky basket :p the only pattern is garages messing it up, and ood members putting it right!

Actually the last few, bar this one, have been worryingly absolutely perfect.

I always get curious when I take a cover off and see tippex everywhere

[TheBoy]

Not biting, you cheeky basket :p the only pattern is garages messing it up, and ood members putting it right!

Actually the last few, bar this one, have been worryingly absolutely perfect.

I always get curious when I take a cover off and see tippex everywhere

Suspect, given the value, most aren't garage serviced, but done by owners or OOFers now....

[TheBoy]

BTW, to this day, I still haven't ever done a cambelt on my Silver Bullet

[JamesV6CDX]

BTW, to this day, I still haven't ever done a cambelt on my Silver Bullet

Why have a dog and bark

[TheBoy]

BTW, to this day, I still haven't ever done a cambelt on my Silver Bullet

Why have a dog and bark

Its overdue. I should order one.  Maybe when the weather is warmer

[Webby the Bear]

I'm going to do my second ever cambelt in August. I asked you (TB) to supervise but TBH I feel confident following Mark's video guide.

only issue is... am i right in thinking new belts dont have the cam lines/marks on? how are you meant to know youve got it on the right tooth? 

 

[tunnie]

BTW, to this day, I still haven't ever done a cambelt on my Silver Bullet

Why have a dog and bark

Its overdue. I should order one.  Maybe when the weather is warmer

MotherT's is due too, once it warms up a tad needs to be done. Good excuse for curry i think 

[Andy H]

I'm going to do my second ever cambelt in August. I asked you (TB) to supervise but TBH I feel confident following Mark's video guide.

only issue is... am i right in thinking new belts dont have the cam lines/marks on? how are you meant to know youve got it on the right tooth? 

 

Because the timing marks line up.

It does get easier with practice. The hardest part is removing all the bits that are in the way (eg bag pipes). With the cam locks in place (and the crank locking tool wound back slightly to remove the tension) taking the old one off and slipping the new one back on correctly isn't difficult.

The bit I seem to spend too much time on is getting the torque settings 'just so'

[Webby the Bear]

I'm going to do my second ever cambelt in August. I asked you (TB) to supervise but TBH I feel confident following Mark's video guide.

only issue is... am i right in thinking new belts dont have the cam lines/marks on? how are you meant to know youve got it on the right tooth? 

 

Because the timing marks line up.

It does get easier with practice. The hardest part is removing all the bits that are in the way (eg bag pipes). With the cam locks in place (and the crank locking tool wound back slightly to remove the tension) taking the old one off and slipping the new one back on correctly isn't difficult.

The bit I seem to spend too much time on is getting the torque settings 'just so'

Sorry Andy, what marks do you mean? i didnt think the belt had any on at all (well new belts)