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How to change cambelt


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Hi all,

I have done some search's and read a lot about cambelt change's but other than a link to a Seat forum that didn't work I can't find any reports on the job or how difficult it might be, is their one that I've missed?

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I did mine on my VRS when i first got it, am a volvo tech by trade but i found it to be abit of a bitch of a job,

I've done a couple of golf TDi ones aswell and found them abit fiddly aswell,

There not bad to change the belt its just the drivers engine mount that you have to work round, move it to side cos it won't come out from side of engine and inner wing

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To be fair, if you are having to ask this question maybe you should be getting a mechanic to do this for you. The cambelt is about the only thing that if you mess up could cost you the price of a whole new engine, or you could end up with running problems caused by timing issues. If you have never done anything like this before then I would look towards getting someone to do it for you.

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To be fair, if you are having to ask this question maybe you should be getting a mechanic to do this for you. The cambelt is about the only thing that if you mess up could cost you the price of a whole new engine, or you could end up with running problems caused by timing issues. If you have never done anything like this before then I would look towards getting someone to do it for you.

I think thats what forums are about.

Been on here a long time but There is a lack of "How to Guides" for the more complicated jobs.

This point alone nearly put me off buying another skoda and just getting another Omega.

On the omega forum there was bags of advice and even a DVD,

http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl

I did my 2.5 V6 petrol (quad cams) without a problem Idlers, water pump etc. Timing issues arent there if correct kit is used (I never did more than routine stuff before)

Cam12_8.jpg

So how about a bit more support. Thats whats this is all about. The Vrs 1.8T only has one cam to line up (the other appears link chain driven at the other end?)

Edited by goonybird
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I have done mine on my TDI, it is a bit fiddly and I found it a bit difficult to get some of the intercooler hoses off (because I could not get the headlight out (the release clip on the cable block was broken). it took me a weekend from start to finish, but I wasn't rushing or spending 100% of my time on it. New engine mount bolts should be used and while you are doing the job one might as well change the water pump too.

Before you start ensure you have an appropriate method of locking (I used a drill bit, iirc), and also a tool for tensioning the cam tensioner. I have a guide from a car magazine which I could scan in. I used that coupled with with a few fibs from the book of fibberations (Haynes) :rofl:

Edited by mbames
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I did my TDi110 in about 5 hours. It's also the first time I ever done one on one of these. I was expecting to have to wiggle the belt off and on around the engine mount after I'd unbolted it, but to my amazement it fell out once I had got it into a certain position. Although fiddley I now know that the mounting will come out, but beware it is a bit of a struggle and you might find it easier with a second pair of hands. Change your water pump at the same time because the plastic impeller's well known for coming loose on the shaft even if the pump seems to look ok.

There's no reason why you shouldn't attempt this job yourself because it isn't that difficult. Just take your time and don't rush it. Make sure you get everything right.

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To be fair, if you are having to ask this question maybe you should be getting a mechanic to do this for you. The cambelt is about the only thing that if you mess up could cost you the price of a whole new engine, or you could end up with running problems caused by timing issues. If you have never done anything like this before then I would look towards getting someone to do it for you.

Hi all, I can understand your comments regarding this, maybe I should have started with "I'm a qualified motor mechanic but I haven't done it as a job for many years and although I haven't changed many cambelts in my time I have done a few so wondered what sort of job it is and are there any pitfulls to look out for?" The last cambelt was changed 4yrs ago July 2010 by a garage where I wasn't charged a lot, (£200) but I don't have that option anymore so that's why I'm thinking about doing it myself.

Thanks for all the replies.

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I think thats what forums are about.

Been on here a long time but There is a lack of "How to Guides" for the more complicated jobs.

This point alone nearly put me off buying another skoda and just getting another Omega.

On the omega forum there was bags of advice and even a DVD,

http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl

I did my 2.5 V6 petrol (quad cams) without a problem Idlers, water pump etc. Timing issues arent there if correct kit is used (I never did more than routine stuff before)

Cam12_8.jpg

So how about a bit more support. Thats whats this is all about. The Vrs 1.8T only has one cam to line up (the other appears link chain driven at the other end?)

lmao from what you just sead you would pick a car on how good the guides are on a forum :-)

i kinda go by if i like the car or not :-0 but thats just me.

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lmao from what you just sead you would pick a car on how good the guides are on a forum :-)

i kinda go by if i like the car or not :-0 but thats just me.

Catch 22 as i see where he's coming from as when i had my GTi-6, the owners club had a Tech Guide section which listed EVERYTHING with pictures, one of the best ive ever seen on a forum. On the other hand you could also argue that the forums are free and from what i've found if i ask a question, some helpful person normally repllies giving me an answer :)....

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lmao from what you just sead you would pick a car on how good the guides are on a forum :-)

i kinda go by if i like the car or not :-0 but thats just me.

Almost. As most cars I buy are way past dealer servicing (ie old), good support helps. Bought an Octavia VRs as I wanted another Skoda having been so impressed by my Superb in 2003.

The Omega, brilliant car that they are, require very intensive preventive maintenence circa £100 per month for parts.

I have had the Vrs since August and only had to do the Temp Sensor.

And that Paynes manuals arent a patch on what they used to be.

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It also helps when asking a question such as this that you state what engine you have. MK1 Octavia SLXi leaves a few options.

I have done many of our cambelts, however I dont have the time in a dealer to stop and take pictures all the time, and there will always be one that says something went wrong following the guide. Not to mention how many engine variations we have.

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Hi all,

I have done some search's and read a lot about cambelt change's but other than a link to a Seat forum that didn't work I can't find any reports on the job or how difficult it might be, is their one that I've missed?

get it done by a specialist mate. if anything goes wrong when they do it they are responsable. cost just over 200 pound for me. even then they said its 1 of the worst cars to change. if you still want to do this yourself get a haynes manual.

Edited by leanne88vrs
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get it done by a specialist mate. if anything goes wrong when they do it they are responsable. cost just over 200 pound for me. even then they said its 1 of the worst cars to change. if you still want to do this yourself get a haynes manual.

But If I do it myself I have the satisfaction of it being done properly.

Skoda Main dealer did it last time for previous owner.

Telephoned them to find standard procedure is replace cambelt.

Then asked what about the idlers/tensioner and waterpump I ask?

"Oh, thats not standard procedure".

When time comes I will be doing it myself and anything else. 30+years experience of garages leaves me speechless.

Which surely is the point of a forum?

Edited by goonybird
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Thanks for the positive replies chaps, I can see both points of the argument but I do fancy taking the job on. I've done some awkward jobs in my time, (anyone done an octapus pipe on a Citroen BX), so I'm not too bothered just wanted some idea. I haven't ruled out getting a garage to carry-out the work as I have some friends in the trade so depending on what sort of price I get quoted will decide on my course of action.

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How about using a haynes manual or downloading the cambelt replacement procedure from autodata then you should be fine if you know your way round a engine.

Thanks for that. Had a look at the Autodata site and it looks quite good.

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