8v Cambelt Change Help

[2052006 10]

Hi, I'm having a go at changing the cambelt for the first time. Engine (1.9 8v) is out of the car and the gearbox etc has been removed.

 

Following the guide in Haines, it tells me to jam the starter ring gear in order to under crank pulley.

 

Firstly, can I do this with gearbox, starter etc removed - and how?

 

Secondly, Haines says not to use the 10mm bit in the actual pulley timing hole to stop it moving and then undoing the bolt because "damage will occur". Is this correct, because this would seem to be the easiest way?

 

Thanks for any tips!

 

Pete

[welshpug 1,657]

you can jam the flywheel with a large screwdriver placed in its ring gear and against a suitable part of the block, helps to have an assistant to hold it there while you undo the Crank bolt.

 

you can cause quite a lot of damage by attempting to lock it with the timing pin, its inserted into an alloy casting so isn't particularly strong.

[2-Pugs 57]

You should still be able to jam the ring gear somehow because that is part of the flywheel, which will still be attached to the engine, unless you have taken it off. Just use a big old screwdriver. You may need help from someone else to hold the screwdriver while you undo the crank bolt.

 

The reason they tell you not to use the dowel to hold it is because that crank bolt is done up pretty tight, and should be threadlocked as well, so if you're relying on the timing dowel to stop the crank rotating, you will almost certainly end up damaging the features on the block that the dowel goes into, as it's only alloy, which is relitively soft.

[2052006 10]

Thanks for the fast replies! Yes, re the potential damage - that makes sense, thanks.

 

Excuse these novice questions, but the "ring gear" - is that the large toothed, erm, wheel, on the left side of the engine? And what part is the flywheel, or is this toothed wheel attached to it. I have been advised to swap the 1.9 flywheel for the 1.6 one which I intend on doing eventually...might help if I knew where it was exactly!!!!

[welshpug 1,657]

flywheel; big round thing on the opposite end to the timing belt, clutch attached.

 

ring gear is the teeth around the outside of said big round thing

 

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f169/wel...6v/PICT0103.jpg

[2052006 10]

cheers for that!

[BuD 0]

As an alternative to jamming theres a tool that bolts into a starter bolt hole and locks the flywheel. Less than a tenner and very useful.

[Guest davey]

I actually managed to undo mine with a big set of those clamping pliers (mol grips?) clenched around the big washer behind the bolt. Definately easier if you've got another pair of hands though..

Dave

[simonb 0]

Just place a 22mm spannder on the bottom bolt and crank the engine over for a second or 2. The spanner hits the wishbone and bang - the bolt comes undone in a second. Used this method a couple of times with no problems.