Timing Belt Renewal ?

[BigBadDamo]

Hi all ...

I have a 2004 (54) Leon Cupra ( 180bhp not the 'R' insurance abit dodgy lol )

Thinking of attempting to renew my timing belt myself as i am a mechanic to trade and do countless timing belts weekly but have never done any on my style on engine i.e Seat / VW / Audi ..

Just wanted to know if it is a difficuilt job to do in my own garage or do i bite the bullet and book it in2 my work were they would charge me roughly £140 thats supplied and fitted.

Ideas anyone.. Please lol

Thanks

 

[meltonlad]

get them to do and dont forget to change the water pump...

 

[Shaunyboy]

Timing is easy but hard, one mistake and the damage is un true, can cost 5 X more than taking it to a garage, with a haynes manual, ideally a full day and some one to lend a hand its posssible but need to check, check double check and crank it by hand before. Aslong as the marks line up you cant go wrong. Space is limited though and can be a faf, patience is a must as is obtaining the correct tools and knowledge. You need to buy or make a tool to compress the tensioner aswell as have the pin to lock it, Its ideal to replace the hydro tensioner aswell but not nesscary if it looks in good order. The idler and tensioner need replacing, as does the water pump and i also recomend an aux belt while its all of, £14 isnt going to break the bank, and you know its been done then. You also need coolant to fill the cooling system back up, a good jack and sturdy axel stand, 12 point sockets, long extension, range of sockets 8 - 24mm, good ratchets, strong arm, extensions, pliers, screw drivers, tip ex for the marks so there visable.

 

[BigBadDamo]

Thanks for the info ...

The plan was for me and my mate to renew it together. He is a Lexus MatserTech and has renewed countless Audi TT and Mk4 Golf GTI belts and say he can do them no problem.

Its just the fear if something goes wrong lol

I can get a timing belt kit from Seat ( belt & tensioner ) for £75 but do we attempt to renew it ourselves or pay £70 labour for my work to do it. So if anything does go wrong they can foot the bill lol.

 

[Shaunyboy]

Not much can go wrong if you take your time, if you crank it by hand and it doesnt lock up and marks like up its sweet, also you dont have to worry about belt tension on these too much as there hydraulic, just need to make sure when its tensioned both sides are tensioned evenly.

 

[BigBadDamo]

Yea thats what i normally do when i do timing belts / timing chains in work. I'm just abit fearful because its my own car lol

 

[Shaunyboy]

No need to be mate, you training to be a mechanic then?

 

[BigBadDamo]

I am a mechanic, served my time on MG/Rover then worked for Mazda/Ford for 3 years now i am a Ford Transit Tech. I think i may just renew it myself and stop being a **** haha.

 

[Shaunyboy]

Sorry but, oh no rovers

 

[BigBadDamo]

Haha i know i know cylinder head gasket city, **** cars but an absolute skoosh to work on.

Bottom line here, renew my belt myself ?

 

[Shaunyboy]

Yeah defo same as any other just nuts and bolts, if you done timing before you just adapt knowledge as with anything and i know i hate the damn things, at least its easyer than these to do a HG. Rovers are the most tempremental car ive ever known, there worse than fiats

 

[BigBadDamo]

Haha dont diss the rovers ..

Think i will just attempt it myslef then, got a garage with plenty of tools, jacks, axle stands etc etc

Dont be surprised if i log back on here over the wkend selling a LC with a Fukd engine lol

 

[Shaunyboy]

Ah you wont i promise Cam timing is a diffrent thing, but you aint doing the chain so no worries.

 

[BigBadDamo]

Thanks again

 

[Shaunyboy]

No probs mate, no point knowing somthing and not sharing it is there? How we learn becuase every mechanic knows diffrent things so your constantly learning, people expect you to know everything about every car out thre.