Timing Belt lower cover

[KrisB]

Hi

I'm in the process of changing the timing belt and I can't get the lower pulley wheel off to then remove the lower casing. It's all rusted up and I have coated it in WD.

Are there any special tools I need? 19mm spanner and 6mm Hex are what I need to remove them but they aint working. Any tips?

Kris

[james butler]

extension bar from the outside of the car through wheel arch onto the hex bolts, hefty whack with a hammer then impact gun on them to get them off.
another trick is to try tightning before undoing, to break the bolts grip.
sometimes works.

[james butler]

if you get really stuck i live in south birmingham and have an impact gun. i can help you get it apart and change the belt but i am a fair way from manchester.
one word of warning about your pulley! if its badly rusted it may need replacing as ive seen them crack after they have been taken off and put pack on again.

[KrisB]

Cheers for the advice. Should be able to get impact gun from work for weekend. Think I'm going to replace the pulley anyway. Would be ideal for a hand but wouldn't expect you to travel from birmingham. Should manage.

[james butler]

other things to watch out for that sound daft but will get you thinking when you get to it are:
1- make sure you turn the tensioner the right way when you tighten it or the belt can rub on the casing. ( a good tool to adjust the tensioner is a pair of bent cir-clip pliers to hold it while you tighten it)
2- check your oil seals on camshaft and intermediate shaft as they are the same seal and now would be a good time to change them if they are leaking.
3- if your timing cover is plastic like mine you can use hot water to bend it back to shape to get it to fit back properly.
mine warped while off the car over a few days and was a pain in the backside and would go back on until i bent it back to shape!
4- the intermediate shaft lines up with the crank pulley which you take off to get to the timing belt so keep it close to hand, this intermediate pulley spins real easy and if it doesn't line back up properly then your timing at the distributor will go out, this is what the shaft is connected to as well as the oil pump.

[james butler]

How did you get on krisb?

[KrisB]

Im hoping ok. I managed to change it by sliding it on and off. Nothing moved but my mind can't rest that it's ok and that easy lol. Would like someone to come check locally though lol Birminghams a bit far.

Will prob need some help fitting the carburettor back on.

[mark1gls]

With the cam belt once you fit the new one turn the engine over by hand (socket on the crank shaft) one full turn so it's back to TDC to see/ feel if there is any problems, if you are one tooth out some where the car should start and run it will just feel a bit flat and lumpy when driving.

[james butler]

To be honest the belt on these are a easy to do. The hardest bits are undoing the rusted up and seized bolts.
The process though is very simple.
As long as nothing's moved then it will run same as before.
Just make sure you have tensioned the belt correctly and it will be fine.

[mark1gls]

If your car sound like it has a supercharger fitted then the belt is to tight
Easy done as the engine gets hot thing expand.