Gti6 Cambelt Change Screw-Up

[Matt205 14]

All,

 

Basically, I'm following the guide from the 306 GTI forum http://www.306gti6.com/forum/showthread.php?id=40662

 

I was following step 11 which states: "Rotate the cam pulleys fully clockwise, they sit in an elongated slot. These will rotate back round when you tension the belt and ensure the tension of the belt between the cams is correctly set."

 

The first pulley rotated fine, but with the second I obviously hadn't sufficiently located the pin secuing the pulley, so it released and the alignment of the pulley is now obviously way out of position, with the obvious result on the timing. Photo:

 

 

 

So can anyone advise how to recover my screw up. Thanks.

[Mikey S 29 1 Cars]

whip the cam cover off and turn the cam shaft with a spanner or suitable grips wrapped in a rag until it lines up then pop the pin back in.

 

 

 

mike

[Matt205 14]

Thanks Mike. I hoped it would something as straight forward as that.

[welshpug 1,657]

or use a peg tool on the camshaft pulley, there's no spanner flats or anything similar on the RS cams AFAIK.

[SurGie 54]

M6 bolt screws in to the slot & works fine at keeping it in place instead of pins that can come out too easy.

 

I also have a problem with their FAQ as the video on the belt tension is not working and i dont have any of those special tension tools to get it set correctly.

 

That forum has gone down hill its more like the other 306 forum, .net.

[welshpug 1,657]

I dont have any of those special tension tools to get it set correctly.

 

neither have 99% of people that change these belts

[SurGie 54]

neither has 99% of people that change these belts

 

 

Which is why there seems to be a lot of f***ed up cam belt changes or slipped belts around, nothing like doing things properly is there.

[Anthony 1,003]

Which is why there seems to be a lot of f***ed up cam belt changes or slipped belts around, nothing like doing things properly is there.

Don't confuse not have the correct tensioning tool with ineptness or people not changing the cambelt when it's (sensibly) due and it snapping as a result.

 

Not having the correct tensioning tool is not an issue in the slightest if you've half a brain and a bit of mechanical nounce.

[SurGie 54]

I understand that a lot of them are due to other reasons but im sure some are due to either being over tensioned or under tensioned. Better to learn to do it right than learn how to do it from doing it wrong.

 

If the above is so evident, why would there be a tension tool in the first place if its so easy to do ?

 

I want to get it right first time and feel the 306 forums FAQ is not a good clear one, especially the tension side of things. Now i could video the current belt and try to match the same tension but that belt might not be at the correct tension in the first place.

[Mikey S 29 1 Cars]

I understand that a lot of them are due to other reasons but im sure some are due to either being over tensioned or under tensioned. Better to learn to do it right than learn how to do it from doing it wrong.

 

If the above is so evident, why would there be a tension tool in the first place if its so easy to do ?

 

I want to get it right first time and feel the 306 forums FAQ is not a good clear one, especially the tension side of things. Now i could video the current belt and try to match the same tension but that belt might not be at the correct tension in the first place.

 

forget the video. i measure belt tension on the deflection of the belt at its longest run, in this case between the idler and the inlet cam. with correct tension applied, you can normally deflect the belt about 5-6mm either way and twist it about 30 degrees either way.

 

its either do it this way or stump up for a seem gauge and there not cheap and there rare to crop up on ebay.

 

P.s ive been doing belts for 15 years on everything from alfas to vw's and never had a problem.

[SurGie 54]

Nice one thanks Mikey S, thats much more clear. It was good to meet you at the last meet

 

They are available to rent on ebay but its about £385 deposit then £50 for the week. At that price i could get a pro down here and get it done for about £40

 

First cam belt here i come

[Mikey S 29 1 Cars]

no problemo! nice to meet you as well.

 

like a fool i sold a brand new one on ebay recently. should of kept it and rented it! you live and learn so they say

[CosKev 16]

At that price i could get a pro down here and get it done for about £40

 

And you think the pro would have one of the correct tools??????

 

Doubt it very much,as above they would just do it manually.