how to change a timing belt..

i dont know if i have already posted this, but here it is again - to change the timing belt, remove the plastic covers, cut half the timing belt off (length ways), slide the new timing belt on (so its half way on), then cut the rest of the old belt off, then slide the new belt on completely, that way you dont have to mess about with setting the timing again, then all you have to do is put the plastic covers back on - done

but what about new tenshioner?

i dont fit a new tensioner, as its a metal one, its the plastic ones that give trouble.

oo you wait the metal ones go they squeek like pigs first though

..Sounds like a clever trick to me!!!Good thinking!

This is an old trick. I do this when changing the belt on 8 valve FIRE engines as they are non-interferance. I wouldn't do so on a non-FIRE engine though. I'd leave the tensioner as well Chris, if it goes then just fit a new one and you're off again.

For the price of a tensioner(£15 form Fiat) there is no point in leaving the old one on there as if the old one starts squeeling then you have to do nearly everything involved in changing the belt again all for saving £15?

How do you get the belt over the lip on the water pump?

I'm a tight git though.

instead of cutting the belt why not just set it a tdc first then take the belt off? ive never had any trouble doing that.

set the engine at tdc undo the tesioner remove the old belt then put the new belt around the crankshaft pully then the water pump then slide it onto the camshaft. I would always get a genuine Fiat belt as the are only about £5 more that a motor factor and they come with lines on them that you line up with the marks on the pullys then you know you are timed up antd the pullies have not moved.