Is it necessary to fit a new tensioner when changing the cambelt?
Looking in Haynes manuals shows changing the cambelt to be fairly straight forward. Is the process as simple as Haynes suggest and are there any pitfalls that I should know about?
Does the belt tensioner work reliably fitting a replacement cambelt?
Finally, there are many companies supplying cambelts (FAI being one I have seen) but are there any that should be avoided.
Changing cambelts
I would say yes as the tensioners do teh same milage as teh timing belt. you can pick up a cambelt kit for around 70 quid i think...
I wouldnt recommend fitting it yuorself though not unless yuove done one, well 100's before and know exactly how to re-time it and stuff.
Personaly i would do what i did and get a garage to fit it. they also supplied the kit and all that.
i had mine changed when i had my head gasket done.
The parts are pretty cheap, its the labour that will cost hundreds.
you'll prob get your belt fitted and retimed and all that for less than 300 quid, but when yuo think what a snapped belt will do to your engine it seems worth it to me. I think if my belt snapped i would scrap the car or sell the other parts that do still work on ebay as teh repair of teh valves and that will knock me unconcious :(
I was skint for a while but at least i had a car that got me to where i wanted to go and got me there without anything snapping.
my advise is go to a local garage and get a quote and start saving up.
I wouldnt recommend fitting it yuorself though not unless yuove done one, well 100's before and know exactly how to re-time it and stuff.
Personaly i would do what i did and get a garage to fit it. they also supplied the kit and all that.
i had mine changed when i had my head gasket done.
The parts are pretty cheap, its the labour that will cost hundreds.
you'll prob get your belt fitted and retimed and all that for less than 300 quid, but when yuo think what a snapped belt will do to your engine it seems worth it to me. I think if my belt snapped i would scrap the car or sell the other parts that do still work on ebay as teh repair of teh valves and that will knock me unconcious :(
I was skint for a while but at least i had a car that got me to where i wanted to go and got me there without anything snapping.
my advise is go to a local garage and get a quote and start saving up.
everything depends on how compitent with the spanners you are. as our friend here has said its pretty straight forward if you have been round the block a few times but could be scary if cleaning your car is as far as you have ever got!
Also depends on which car you are refering to.
If you go to a trade counter for a K16 belt and tensoiner kit you could pay between £25 and £35 quiid for it.
but if in doubt get a reputable garage to sort it out for you. I suggest this as Water pumps also require a check for leaks and wear and tear and an experienced opinion could cost you a lot less in the long run
Fil
Also depends on which car you are refering to.
If you go to a trade counter for a K16 belt and tensoiner kit you could pay between £25 and £35 quiid for it.
but if in doubt get a reputable garage to sort it out for you. I suggest this as Water pumps also require a check for leaks and wear and tear and an experienced opinion could cost you a lot less in the long run
Fil
