Replacing the timing belt with your own hands

2024 Author: Erin Ralphs | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-19 11:41

GRM is a very important and responsible unit in the design of any car. It is he who is responsible for the accuracy and correct opening of the valves. To date, most engines are equipped with a timing chain drive. It is driven by a crankshaft. However, unlike the chain, which stretches over time, the belt can simply break, causing the valves to bend (but not on all cars). Is it possible to replace the timing belt with your own hands? Experts give a positive answer. Well, let's look at how to properly replace the timing belt.

When should it be done?

This element does not have any characteristic signs of malfunction. Wear and tear can only be determined by the external state. So, over time, the belt cracks and breaks - reinforcing elements come out - dense threads. But not all cars have a belt open - often it is hidden under a plastic cover and a cursory examination cannot determine its exact condition. Therefore, the replacement of the timing belt on a VAZ and other domestic cars is carried out clearly according to the regulations. Heis 60 thousand kilometers. The timing belt is replaced on Renault and other foreign cars every 100-120 thousand kilometers.

Signs of premature replacement

It is necessary to perform this operation ahead of time in several cases:

• When a foreign liquid (oil, antifreeze or antifreeze) gets on the surface of the element. It can destroy the structure of the rubber on the element.
• If there are characteristic deformations (cracks, breaks, and so on) and damage to the belt teeth from the inside of the element.
• When the pump (water pump) does not work correctly.

You should only buy the original belt. This is the only way to be sure of its quality and that it will last the time allotted by the manufacturer.

Preparing tools

To replace the timing belt ourselves, we need to have:

• Jack, wheel wrench.
• Set of ring spanners (in particular, for 17).
• Set of open end wrenches (for 15).
• Retaining ring extractor.
• Large screwdriver or pry bar.
• New adjusting idler.

Let's consider how this procedure is performed first on foreign cars, and then on the engines of domestic VAZ cars.

Getting Started

So, first we need to dismantle the old belt. To do this, remove the protective plastic casing. It is secured with several bolts. It is better to unscrew with a ring wrench with a head. We also remove the crankcase protection to improve access to the timing mechanism drive. First, unscrew the front right wheel of the car. Then the air conditioning compressor (if any) is removed. We need to remove the drive belt. The compressor itself can be put back in place. Next, we dismantle the power steering reservoir and set it in the direction of the coolant pipes. Thus, we will have access to the timing belt.

To remove it, you need to unscrew the two bolts securing the generator (usually this is done on Ford cars). Replacing the timing belt does not end there. The next step is to remove the terminal with the chip, which is on the right side. The generator is dismantled outside. The pump pulley is also removed. To do this, using a 10 key, unscrew the four fixing bolts. Thus, we can freely get the belt from the car. But that's not all.

What's next?

We need to fix the flywheel. This is necessary so that when installing a new belt, it does not turn. How to fix? To do this, you need to dismantle the starter. But not completely, but only its lower bolt. Then a special lock is put in place of the flywheel (it can be a thick screwdriver). After that, the gearbox is set to neutral. We need to set the clutch to the 11-turn position. It should be rotated clockwise. After that, we take the bolt that fixes the crankshaft, and screw it into place of the plug. Make sure to mark the location of the flywheel.

Then we fix the crankshaft with two bolts and install the special key in the bolt that holds the pulley. Raising the power unit on the jack, remove the right engine mount. Then unscrew the support holder. It is attached with four bolts. "Butterfly" should be installed on the clutch. The crankshaft bolt is unscrewed. If it has stripped threads, it must be replaced. Then swing the pulley holder and take the latter out. Installation of the belt is carried out only after dismantling the cover of the toothed pulley. The tension roller must be loosened and a special pin installed.

You can now remove the old belt and pulley. The new element is installed in reverse order. You also need to tighten the tensioner. Please note that an arrow may be imprinted on some models. It indicates the direction of movement of the timing belt. At the end, tighten the crankshaft bolt and check the marks on the flywheel. They must be in the same place. If it is a 16-valve car, the marks must also match on the camshaft gears. Further assembly is carried out in the reverse order. Replacing the timing belt on a diesel engine is done in the same way. It is advisable to install a new tension roller.

VAZ engines

Replacing the timing belt is as follows. The car is installed on a flat surface, put on the handbrake and the fourth gear is turned on. Since the belt is available only on front-wheel drive VAZ engines, you also need to access itunscrew the wheel on the right side. Then you need to remove the cover that protects the belt. Then loosen the belt tensioner and remove it. After the generator pulley is removed. Next, the box is transferred to the neutral position.

The next step is to turn the crankshaft clockwise. The mark and flywheel should be observed. The mark will be visible through a special hole in the clutch cover. Turn the flywheel until the mark is parallel to the middle bar of the scale. It is required to unscrew the nut of the tension roller. It is he who will loosen the tension of the belt drive.

Installing a new belt

It must be put on the camshaft pulley, and then pulled on both branches. The part that is not stretched (left side) should be brought behind the roller. The belt is put on the pump pulley, and then the crankshaft. Then you need to turn the tension roller counterclockwise. This is done until the belt is fully tensioned. The crankshaft rotates one and a half to two turns. This can be done by installing a large cap head and extension arm. You need to scroll so that the marks are in the middle. It also happens that the labels do not match. What to do in this case? You will have to remove the belt again and repeat the procedure again until the marks are parallel to each other. If everything succeeded, you should unscrew the crankshaft bolt and install the generator pulley. Then tighten this bolt and by turning the roller (it turns counterclockwise) put on the generator belt.

After that, you can try to start the engine. During its operation, you need to listen to see if the motor makes extraneous sounds. This can happen if the belt is installed a tooth forward or back. Also, during engine operation, you can determine the quality of the alternator belt tension. If it hangs, you need to tighten the roller more.

Which belt to choose?

If we talk about the engines of VAZ front-wheel drive cars, there are several brands of belt mechanisms for them. Their length should be 742 millimeters. Here are the options on the market:

• Original VAZ belt. Its catalog number is 1006040. The element is quite durable and made of quality material. The resource corresponds to the declared one, therefore such an item is bought by many motorists.
• Lynx 137FL22. This is a Japanese model, which contains 137 cut-teeth on the inside. It costs an order of magnitude more expensive than the previous analogue, but the quality is quite acceptable. If the timing belt is replaced on a VAZ 8 valve car, this brand can be taken without fear.
• Bosch. This company has long established itself in the market with a good side. However, you need to remember that many fakes are sold under the Bosch brand. Distinguishing the original from the copy every year is more and more difficult. And it is not always possible to find out for the price. Sometimes the cost of a fake is identical to the original.
• ContiTech. This is also a German belt, but fewer fakes are made on it. As noted by the reviews, the element is quite durable and reliable. More expensive than the originalVAZovsky. The manufacturer says that the composition uses synthetic rubber, fiberglass and polyamide fabric.

Conclusion

So, we found out how the timing belt is replaced. As you can see, these works can be done by hand. In total, the operation takes from one to three hours, depending on skill. It is advisable to work in good lighting. It is also recommended to make a note in the logbook in order to know after what mileage the timing belt will need to be replaced again. Whether it is a 2-liter car or 1.5, it does not matter - the belt life does not depend on the engine size and is regulated in the instruction manual.