caldirun
21-07-2009, 06:34 PM
I have just changed my cambelt and it was a lot easier than I was expecting, I did belt, idle roller, tensioner and coolant pump for about £150 inc. tools.
I think I was just in time as the coolant pump was very tight to turn by hand but easy when removed, the impeller had a shiny ring where it was rubbing on the rear, is this the reason they split?
The first kit I bought was by Gates, the belt was PLASTIC!!!, this went straight back as I have fitted these on machine tools and they melt when the going gets tough, DO NOT USE THESE ON YOUR CAR!!
Second kit was from VW, only £7 more and kosha, the correct roller and tensioner (Gates kit was incorrect for tensioner and roller, even when giving my registration at the factors).
The only tool I needed was the crank pulley lock, a 6mm rod would do for the camshaft hub alignment tool and an Allen key will set the tensioner (mechanical on mine and later 1.9tdis, not sure about the hydraulic tensioners fitted on earlier versions), 2 x 100mm lengths of M8 all thread is all you need for the service position to be obtained and forget a tool for the fan hub, just pull on the 17mm spanner on the tensioner, it will hold while you undo the allen bolt in the fan hub.
I put aside a weekend for the job but Saturday afternoon will do next time.
I think I was just in time as the coolant pump was very tight to turn by hand but easy when removed, the impeller had a shiny ring where it was rubbing on the rear, is this the reason they split?
The first kit I bought was by Gates, the belt was PLASTIC!!!, this went straight back as I have fitted these on machine tools and they melt when the going gets tough, DO NOT USE THESE ON YOUR CAR!!
Second kit was from VW, only £7 more and kosha, the correct roller and tensioner (Gates kit was incorrect for tensioner and roller, even when giving my registration at the factors).
The only tool I needed was the crank pulley lock, a 6mm rod would do for the camshaft hub alignment tool and an Allen key will set the tensioner (mechanical on mine and later 1.9tdis, not sure about the hydraulic tensioners fitted on earlier versions), 2 x 100mm lengths of M8 all thread is all you need for the service position to be obtained and forget a tool for the fan hub, just pull on the 17mm spanner on the tensioner, it will hold while you undo the allen bolt in the fan hub.
I put aside a weekend for the job but Saturday afternoon will do next time.