> Hi Hellraiser
>
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> camshafts. A simple figure of 8 around the sprockets after the existing
> belt has be slid forward.
Wouldn't that make it difficult to fit the new belt?
> Remember that on the older non variable timiing cam shafts this excessive
> locking down was never required.
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> to the crank spocket, which is on a much smaller radious, so the natural
> run-out of timing due to belt tolerances will surely be greater.
Ah, the 1.8 has no variator so I can't give an opinion on that :)
> Removing the cam cover (expensive gasket), bearing caps, special tools
> etc. seems a bit over the top IMHO.
There's only 2 bearing caps to remove (which come off quite easily), the cam
cover gasket can be re-used (so long as no oil is leaking from it and it is
in good condition - just crank it down a little tighter), and considering
the potential for damage if it is done wrong, I think spending a few quid on
some cam locking tools is a good idea. After all, the camshafts won't move
at all when the cams are wedged!
Hellraiser..........>
Nick Bailey ///// - 16 May 2005 18:53 GMT
> Wouldn't that make it difficult to fit the new belt?
Not really as the locking belt sits on the rear side of the cam sprockets
secured with buldog clips/clamps.
> Ah, the 1.8 has no variator so I can't give an opinion on that :)
The variator is where the problem occurs!
> There's only 2 bearing caps to remove (which come off quite easily), the
> cam cover gasket can be re-used (so long as no oil is leaking from it and
> it is in good condition - just crank it down a little tighter), and
> considering the potential for damage if it is done wrong, I think spending
> a few quid on some cam locking tools is a good idea. After all, the
> camshafts won't move at all when the cams are wedged!
These caps secure the cams for sure. But this can be done with other cam
lock clamps without necessitating the removal of the cam covers, gasket and
bearing caps.
Well one day I'll have to change my can belt on my Stilo Abarth, assuming I
have it at 5 years/50K miles :-). On my Coupe 20V I've already had it
replaced due to an auxilary belt failure (double poly-V belt = crap) which
was ingested into the cam belt area and caused the cam belt to ride over the
junk on the crank sprocket and throw the timing out. Fortunately my wife
spotted the ecu warning light come on and stopped. On the Coupe the ECU
warns if the camshaft to crank timing goes out of specification. Luckily
prompt action meant no valves were bent. The car was recovered to the
garage so I let them get on with it :-)
Nick /////