Has anyone changed their cambelt themselves (It's a VRS for referance)?

Looking for the tools required and all i can find is a sealey tool VS4808 Petrol Engine Twin Camshaft Timing Belt Tensioner & Valve Timing Tool Kit - VAG 1.8/1.8T. for refer Not sure if this is the correct tool for the tensioner or do i need a differnt tool?

Laser do all the tools you may need

LaserTools and follow engine timing tools.

If you download the catalogue, then there is a lookup my model in the back.

I don't see a gear puller (for the camshaft gear) there, which is essential if you want replaced belt to last its specified mileage...

I have just changed my cambelt and pullys/water pump on the OCY 1.9tdi y2000, and didn't take the camshaft off, I followed a tip out of Car Mechanics mag and painted marks on the cambelt and cogs and then transfered the marks from the old belt onto the new one and then refitted the new belt lining up the marks,just to make sure I locked the timing pump with a pin in TDC and lined up the flywheel on TDC and locked that with a screwdriver and the job was a good un ! cheers - Stuart

I did pretty much the same as sparky2 when I did mine.

I have just changed my cambelt and pullys/water pump on the OCY 1.9tdi y2000, and didn't take the camshaft off, I followed a tip out of Car Mechanics mag and painted marks on the cambelt and cogs and then transfered the marks from the old belt onto the new one and then refitted the new belt lining up the marks,just to make sure I locked the timing pump with a pin in TDC and lined up the flywheel on TDC and locked that with a screwdriver and the job was a good un ! cheers - Stuart

It's doable that way,AKA "mark and prey" method, but you leave stresses in the belt. You may be lucky and the stresses are low, or you may be very unlucky and the belt will snap. Your choice. I got a gear puller.

There arent any tools for the 1.8T petrol other than an M5 bolt for the tensioner. The engine doesnt lock as such when changing the belt.

I got the impression from somewhere that you had to adjust the tensioner (requiring a special tool) or is it self adjusting?

You need a tool to tension the tensioner when your fit it. I made my own when I did the job, but purchasing one might be easier.

Do you have to lift the engine slightly to get the belt over the engine mount?

i found the engine mount a right git! I could not get the engine mount out, regardless of what I did - it was loose, but trapped in place by something (I can't remember what now), so I got the belt past it by using the water pump hole!

You need a tool to tension the tensioner when your fit it. I made my own when I did the job, but purchasing one might be easier.

You dont have to.

Really you should replce the damper. The new one comes locked with a pin in it. If you unbolt the damper the tensioner just slips off.

Do you have to lift the engine slightly to get the belt over the engine mount?

The engine has to go up and down a fair bit to access things you need to get to.