Few bits of info first

1 : I need a new cam belt in the near future, It will be done at a garage, and

2 : My air con doesn't work (and not likely to without spending ££££'s I think)

 

I think I read a while back of someone fitting a new belt but omitting the air con pump. ie, fitting a shorter belt.

Questions : 1 Can this be done and does it make sense (given air con not working)

                     2 Is it a similar job to do (ie, assuming no real time saving)

                     3 Is it worth it or just fit original size belt

                     4 What else to do at same time...as a must do?

 

Sensible advice appreciated as always

 

Cheers

Edited 3 March, 20206 yr by Tilt

Hi , Will be doing my own TB on My Fabia mk2 2008 1.9tdi est. and, As far as I a aware you have to have the correct belt and it won't save time also you should replace alternator belt and the waterpump. so quite a big job and usually expensive. Its about £100 just for the belt kit without the labour.

Thats why i'm going to have a crack at it.

I am just a self taught home mechanic but pretty confident around a spanner so it's NOT a job for the faint hearted.

Don't just have a go if you are not sure about it.

Have a local garage that does a air-con service for £75 including re-gas and clean. so your air-con problem may not be so pricey.

Don't get it done at a back street garage though as I have heard stories of butane and propane being used-works the same until you crash.........boom!! Be warned.

Good luck and shop around and ask price of parts to see if you can beat it on internet or local motor factors.

 

 

Cheers.......it will be done at a garage, as mentioned, and one that I know the guys too, but they will not allow anyone to supply their own parts anymore.

I guess customers supplying incorrect parts would be a massive headache for them so understandable really.

 

I have looked into dim (doing it myself) and decided it's possibly not so straightforward as some may hope......and with the possibility of seized bolts / parts, etc....

Edited 3 March, 20206 yr by Tilt

2 hours ago, Tilt said:

 

I think I read a while back of someone fitting a new belt but omitting the air con pump. ie, fitting a shorter belt.

Questions : 1 Can this be done and does it make sense (given air con not working)

                     2 Is it a similar job to do (ie, assuming no real time saving)

                     3 Is it worth it or just fit original size belt

                    

 

 

It can be done, I have done it before and now keep the shorter belt as a spare, there really is no sense unless the shaft or pulley of your aircon pump is breaking up, in my case the splines were stripped so I fitted it to prevent damage to the shaft.

 

Same time to do

 

Not worth it unless you have the problems described above, the aircon pump spinning away without pumping takes no energy worth speaking of.