whos done their own Cbelt?

[Mark One]

I regard myself as being quite good with my cars. I've swapped an engine, an aux belt, wheel bearings on a 16v
Head gasket on a 205
but never got round to a cam belts on anything. :dapprove:

I'm normally really poor (student) and don't like spending money at garages if it can be avoided.

• What extra tools are required for changing a cam belt on a 172?
• Should I just take the engine out to make it easier?
• Does the VVT mean that the job is more complex?
• How much is the belt with all the tensioners?
• Whats a cheap garage quote for the job?

Thanks in advance guys

 

[Josh@Renparts]

im wondering the same tbh. Ive done engine swaps but never done a cambelt.

 

[edde]

[*]What extra tools are required for changing a cam belt on a 172?
[*]Should I just take the engine out to make it easier?
[*]Does the VVT mean that the job is more complex?
[*]How much is the belt with all the tensioners?
[*]Whats a cheap garage quote for the job

There the cam locking tool the crank locking tool its all in the guide I've got (drop me an email if you want a look eddeuk yahoo.co.uk).

Engine out makes it easier but realy engine can be left in unless you want it out for other stuff ie clutch etc I'd leave it in even then only realy worthwhile if gegtting coolent chnaged and its a none air con car as such so no stupid gas to deal with.

VVT isn't a huge issue just the intake cam has a phaser on it.

Belt kit is £150 aux belt kit is £50 or £80 then you need the new cam covers which are £12 and the seals which are a few quid. Renault dealers will have the prices and parts.

Cheap price depends what kit there sing cheap parts ir just the belt (stpuid IMO as the tensioners are the real week issue) could be done very cheap its 5.1 hour labout but if your not chnaging the tensioners then thats cuts the time down.

You realy should do the job properly though a cheap garage using renault tooling and renault equipment £300~£350 job.

Just remember enough good garages have messed the job up before not knowing what to do or using the wrong tools etc.

 

[Mark One]

Thanks edde that's helped a lot. When i do it I'll have to try and take some pics and see if we can cobble together a guide

Is the Phaser replaced as part of the full cam belt kit with tensioners?

I do have AC, but never worked on AC systems before. Whats the hassle all about? Would it be easier to remove the engine (loosing gas or whatever) then take it to a service centre for one of those "AC refreshers"

 

[edde]

Thanks edde that's helped a lot. When i do it I'll have to try and take some pics and see if we can cobble together a guide

Is the Phaser replaced as part of the full cam belt kit with tensioners?

I do have AC, but never worked on AC systems before. Whats the hassle all about? Would it be easier to remove the engine (loosing gas or whatever) then take it to a service centre for one of those "AC refreshers"

The guide is in the manaul if you want a copy as I said just drop me an email but it cannot be cut and pasted since its copywritten material.

A/C is just bulky and stuff and a pain only in that respect.

Yep your right a proper reg-as if you want to engine out it is the best option.

 

[Fred@BTM]

150 for the cambelt kit
107 for the auxbelt kit
12 for the camplugs

plus the tools

 

[Dazdon]

Jus had my cambelt done by a renault mechanic for £290 all in!

On the side like!
not too bad i thought considerin a renault stealership quoted £640 fitted!

 

[mark123]

I've done my 172 cup. You don't need the special tools if you are confident about what you are doing. You do need the manual or some other guide though for torque settings and knowing what to do with the tensioner. There are no keys on the crank or cams they are held in place by the tighness of the bolts. This is why people say you need the locking tools. You don't need to remove the cam pinions so you don't need to worry about that you can just mark them before you remove the old belt. This also removes the need to remove the seals from the clutch end of the head to gain access for the locking tool as you won't be using it. The crank locking tool can be replaced by the back end of an 8mm drill bit. There is a torx bolt at the clutch end that when removed the drill bit can be put through to lock the crank in position. It is difficult to find the position though and I removed no. 1 spark plug so I could tell when I was near TDC. If you did a 205 cam belt it is a similar job, but with marginally better access.

Obviously if you get it wrong you'll need a new engine but if you take it slow and know what you are doing you should be OK.

 

[mark123]

My original post when I did it. Read past me getting the bonnet open...

http://www.cliosport.net/forum/showthread.php?t=186668&highlight=bonnet+won't+open

Some helpful pics someone pointed me at.

http://www.angel-works.co.uk/articles/f4rbuild.php