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[Webby the Bear]

Evening guys, one trusts we're all well?

So, after 6 weeks at the garage now I've found no job that I haven't been able to do. They've trusted me with 3 clutches so far, services, exhaust replacements (poor bugger had his CAT cut off by pikeys  ), diagnostics, tyres, brakes (my favourite job) and various other things. Got to say I'm enjoying it so much.

One thing that's annoying me. I've only ever replaced one timing belt. . . And when I did I'm man enough to say I f....d it up on my omega and as some of you know Martin and TB rescued me with their much appreciated help and eeyore was back on the road in no time.

With this fear instilled that I'm going to smoke another cylinder head  and the fact we sadly never did any live timing belts at college I'm very eager to learn as I want to get to the point where I can do most belts. Eventually.

So ignoring the complicated omega just for now  most cars that come in are FWD DOHC. So for now let's stick to this kinda configuration. I'm also aware that there are various different locking tools for various different cars. But am I right in thinking the basic principle is. . .

Remove shizzle around timing belt area e.g. Coolant bottle.
Support engine with jack n wood.
Remove aux belt and whatever's in front of timing belt cover
Remove drivers  side mount
Remove cover(s)
Rotate crank til cam marks line up.
Shove in crank lock.
Shove in cam locks (remove valve cover if a ford as I know they need that rear bar)
Remove tensioner and idlers if applicable
Remove belt
Replacement is reverse of removal.

Couple of questions if huge above is correct. . .

Tensioners. . . Are they mostly those that you stick an Allen key in and then tighten lock nut up when belt deflection is correct?

If belt isn't marked how do you know if you've got the belt on correctly?

Cheers boys. 

[JamesV6CDX]

A lot of modern cars have self loading tensioners

I have really enjoyed following your journey through college etc

[BazaJT]

Unless you're doing them at home would not the garage you're at have some kind of transmission/engine support as opposed to a jack and block of wood?

[Andy H]

Unless you're doing them at home would not the garage you're at have some kind of transmission/engine support as opposed to a jack and block of wood?

Like this

[iansoutham]

Any good garage will have Autodata, either online or DVD. If you go to the timing belt replacement part, there will be basic step-by-step instructions for each application, including deflection and tightening torques and tolerances.

Look up your Omega for an example as you know what that one looks like and how it goes together.

No mechanic knows every setting or every remove/replace instruction for every car, so they shpild all check it every so often.

[aaronjb]

No mechanic knows every setting or every remove/replace instruction for every car, so they shpild all check it every so oftenwhen it all goes horribly wrong.

Fixed for reality

[Webby the Bear]

Thanks boys. and thanks James, it's been a long ol' journey 

yeah you are spot on, they do have tranny jacks and engine braces.,..but either way you get the point 

that's a great shout about Autodata and I have used it in the past, just I do remember the odd diagram being a tad complicated to understand (I am not thick but im not a genius either  ). ive got one on a K Series coming up (for a mate on his drive) so that'll be my next one unless they get anymore in the shop (only had one on the 6 weeks I been there)

[BazaJT]

More power to you for wanting to learn,being prepared to get stuck in and not being afraid to ask for help and advice.Good on yer Webby.

[JamesV6CDX]

First multivalve engine I did was a k series, actually a very good place to start

[Vamps]

More power to you for wanting to learn,being prepared to get stuck in and not being afraid to ask for help and advice.Good on yer Webby.

 

[minifreek]

Well done on having a go mate


My first multivalve engine was the Vectra I had before the Omega I have now... The Omega belt was easier TBH

[Webby the Bear]

Thanks boys really nice comments 

When one comes in I'll ask if I can shadow the head mechanic doing it  wil try and get some pics 

Out of interest. . . As a mechanic you supply your own tools and the garage supplies the big stuff like bearing presses, tyre machines etc. well do mechanics provide their own locking tools for different makes or should the garage have a set of the most common lock tools? 

[minifreek]

Wouldve thought the garage would supply locking tools as they can be quite expensive especially for the amount of locking tools needed... Just don't let them buy the cheap stuff thats made from plastic...

[Merlindriver]

Sad thing is engine designers/manufacturers are lazy making us have to use cam locks etc to keep everything in place. I had a Civic and that was great - turn the engine until you could slip a couple of 8mm drill bits or other suitable rods through the pulleys and into the corresponding holes in the block and hey presto. Little MX5 has hexagon sections on the camshafts - just get to TDC and use a couple of wrenches on the hex and clamp them together with a G-Clamp or mole wrench and the cams are locked, just need to keep the timing mark on the cam sprocket aligned then. That is good design with some forethought about ease of servicing.

[Marks DTM Calib]

Yes and no, so for the four pots that pretty much the case, can be done with a three quid tool or other item. The V6 is a more advanced due to the need to get the timing between banks correct.