right first things first, has any one had a belt go before the 6yr/72k limit? im on 5 yrs 3 months/56k but anyway wanting to replace soon.

now autodata says you need loads of special tools, is it easy enough to do without? just mark the cams and crank, fit new belt, check all lines up and away you go? or is it not quite this simple cos i dont get why they would make these special tools if a 'novice' can do it without them.

beau said:

has any one had a belt go before the 6yr/72k limit?

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yes, but on the 1.8 it is not a common problem. personally i think 5 years or 50k is a safe approach, but waiting for the recommended interval isnt a huge risk on this model.

beau said:

now autodata says you need loads of special tools, is it easy enough to do without? just mark the cams and crank, fit new belt, check all lines up and away you go? or is it not quite this simple cos i dont get why they would make these special tools if a 'novice' can do it without them.

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the special tools make it fool proof and easy peasy. if you are not a fool then you do not need them. you can make your own marks same as usual. i did my 1.8 belt, it was no more difficult than any other twincam.
now i think about it, i may still have the instructions i made for myself sitting in my wardrobe.

hello to both of you,i have a 1.8 bravo and jug may remember the problems i had with the cambelt..it had slipped 12 teeth,i found it very easy to change the belt the only fiddly bit was the tensioner.
i bought the cam locking tools because i needed to find the correct timing marks.they are 2 ali blocks that sit over the cam lobes thus locking the top end,the bottom has a small notch in the pulley for top dead.

cheers
alex