Timing Belt Time
Submitted: Monday, Oct 31, 2016 at 21:33
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Gordonk
Hi everyone, just want to get opinions. Got a quote to replace my timing belt, water pump, tensioner etc for a 3lt turbo diesel @ $1500. Not that I don't think it is worth the money as I am sure there is a fair bit of labour involved. Just a bit short on cash at present but want it replaced before it lets go and does some real damage. I am contemplating having a go at it myself, I am no mechanic, however, I am ok on the
tools and am somewhat mechanically minded. Had a look at you tube and doesn't look easy but it does look doable with the belt and pulleys all colour coded etc. Any other non-qualified mechanics out there replace their own belts or is it best left to the experts (qualified)? What do you think??
Reply By: vk1dx - Tuesday, Nov 01, 2016 at 08:16
Tuesday, Nov 01, 2016 at 08:16
I once rebuilt, bearings, rings etc etc a beautiful Cooper Climax engine in a Hillman Imp that was passed to me when my older brother died. I am not nor ever was a mechanic but like you,
Gordon, I knew about tools. Would I do it on a vehicle on which my life depended - NO WAY. Our car is maintained by a very
well respected set of mechanics at Monaro Offroad in Queanbeyan and the main aim of all the work they do for us is to "get us home". Sure the car can get us there but if the bolts weren't tightened properly or the tension just right, it may not get us
home. Just imagine taking a "whats that" side trip on the Canning to look at something and she breaks down.
My recommendation is not to do it yourself.
As Terry said - get it done by a recommended workshop. And one that can look at the car with an experienced eye and let you know what may break down soon or should also be done now. Get one that people recommend that you can trust their judgement. Ask the
forum members for a place also.
Phil
AnswerID:
605593
Follow Up By: bruce bb1 - Tuesday, Nov 01, 2016 at 12:08
Tuesday, Nov 01, 2016 at 12:08
A Cooper Climax and a Hillman Imp, now that is something i'd would love to have. But back to the original question, get it done properly by a mechanic who has had practice working on timing belts, etc
bb
FollowupID:
875338
Follow Up By: Gordonk - Tuesday, Nov 01, 2016 at 14:50
Tuesday, Nov 01, 2016 at 14:50
Thanks Phil,good advice, not going to risk it, will get it repaired by a pro.
Gordon
FollowupID:
875345
Reply By: MarkHugh - Tuesday, Nov 01, 2016 at 09:45
Tuesday, Nov 01, 2016 at 09:45
Hi Gordonk,
Like you I am moderately good on the
tools but, learning through hard experience, I now leave anything (other than superficial engine work) to the experts. They have the know-how, the
tools and can get the job done efficiently. And you have some ability to take them to task if the work isn't to your satisfaction. My son had similar work done on his vehicle just a few days ago and paid roughly the same, maybe a bit more.
Cheers, Mark
AnswerID:
605595
Follow Up By: Gordonk - Tuesday, Nov 01, 2016 at 14:51
Tuesday, Nov 01, 2016 at 14:51
Agreed Mark, thanks for the input.
Gordon
FollowupID:
875346
Reply By: The Bantam - Tuesday, Nov 01, 2016 at 10:31
Tuesday, Nov 01, 2016 at 10:31
Yeh a lot of this depends on how good you are on the spanners .... realy ..... some people just shouldn't be working on their own cars.
ANYway ..... Yes changing a timing belt is mostly labour intensive ..... while on some cars it may be possible with out .. the whole radiator needs to come out then pretty much you dismantle the whole front of the engine.
You need to pay close attention to gaskets and seals & such, because on these modern motors ya just don't whip a water pump off and replace it in an hour like ya could on a lot of the older motors.
The other things are to make sure you replace ALL the tensioners and idlers, and make sure you have all your timing marks aligned properly.
Yes I have done it on a Toyota, I'd do it again tomorrow if I had to no problem.
Took me all day ..... but I flushed the cooling system and replaced all the hoses and belts as
well.
Serioulsy it's not hard but the consequences of getting it wrong can be inconvenient and expensive.
SO ..... Are you feeling lucky?
cheers
AnswerID:
605597
Follow Up By: Gordonk - Tuesday, Nov 01, 2016 at 14:54
Tuesday, Nov 01, 2016 at 14:54
Not feeling that lucky Bantam, knowing my luck I will prob stuff it up, so off to the mech I go. Better chance it will be done correctly and maybe get some warranty on their work too.
Gordon
FollowupID:
875347
Reply By: swampy - Tuesday, Nov 01, 2016 at 14:42
Tuesday, Nov 01, 2016 at 14:42
Hi
Its not hard to replace
timing belt u may need a cam lock tool [just makes it easier on some motors ]
T/B tensioner
seals of camshaft [s]
crank seal
seal running surface condition and rectification
water pump
cooling system reverse flush
new thermostat [u removed this to reverse flush ]
Install the... correct..... coolant for the motor with demineralized motor
pressure
test cooling system and radiator cap
check all the accesory spinning pulleys for play and noise
new fan belts
done
Many motors are not free spinning if the cam is rotated valves will hit pistons . Even if you install it 1 notch out .
You will then feel the pain 3-6 thousand later .
swamp
AnswerID:
605610
Follow Up By: Gordonk - Tuesday, Nov 01, 2016 at 14:57
Tuesday, Nov 01, 2016 at 14:57
I hear you
Swamp. Not going to risk it. Will book it in asap.
Thanks for your advice and experience.
Gordon
FollowupID:
875348
Reply By: Iza B - Tuesday, Nov 01, 2016 at 20:47
Tuesday, Nov 01, 2016 at 20:47
Had a $750 quote on a Ford Courier (with turbo) for timing belt and tensioner. Belt and tensioner were under $60 from Bursons. Tappet cover gasket was under $20. 10 x 10mm bolts to get to the timing belt. Started at top dead centre and counted belt teeth between marks before stripping everything down. All done in under half an hour so did the valve clearances while things were all undone. That was my experience with that vehicle. Second time the job was done in 15 minutes.
Cannot see that a water pump would add much difficulty to the job.
Got a maintenance manual detailing procedure? Many of these jobs are mostly just some spanner wanking so if the procedure is a lot of undoing and doing up bolts, most backyard mechanics can do the task. If you can get the maintenance procedure, you can assess your skills against the work required.
Iza
AnswerID:
605621