General Cambelt cover

[evo149]

I was wondering if anyone knows how to open the cambelt cover if the top 3 nuts have worn thread. I tried to open them using a hexagon shaped socket but it would keep slipping as someone has already worn away the thread on the nuts.

Below is a pic with the socket i tried and cover shown

There is limited space on the side to fit a wrench type spanner. Plus the hexagon shaped nuts have their thread worn so my socket kept turning without opening them.

I wanted to open this cover to check the condition of the cambelt. But am i using the right tool? Or is there another tool/way of opening it?

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[mountainmachine]

What model etc is it? Most of the bolts i've worked on on Bravo/a's were Trox so that could be your problem. Looks like a star with loads of bits.

 

[evo149]

What model etc is it? Most of the bolts i've worked on on Bravo/a's were Trox so that could be your problem. Looks like a star with loads of bits.

Hi it's a Bravo 1.6 sx model. You're right i was using a star shaped socket with six points. i forgot about the allen keys. I will try those next.

 

[jug]

tricky problem, you may need to destroy it to get it off, 1 thread bolt would probably pull out, but 3 wont be easy.

 

[pyrogaz]

You can slot the top of the bolt using a Dremel (or similar) with a small cutting disc, then use a large flat bladed screwdriver with a spanner.

 

[mountainmachine]

Yup done that once of twice myself! Prop the easies way, but get new bolts!

 

[jug]

i thtought me meant the bolts are threaded? if so, turning them wont help. they'll need to be pulled out.

if the torx shape on the head has been damaged (usually due to using the wrong size torx bit) then cutting a slot in the head will allow you to turn it. you can also try using a bigger sized torx bit and you may just get them to turn.

 

[pyrogaz]

The bolt heads are actually Ribe rather than Torx, they look similar but in reality the profile is very different. It's not always very easy to get hold of Ribe bits (and they're expensive) so most folk use Torx, most of the time they work fine but when you get a worn bolt head or a lot of torque is required then that's when the Torx will let you down.

Personally I'd like to here if anyone knows why Fiat decided to use Ribe bolts; to me it just seems like a cynical attempt to put the DIY mechanic off working on their motor

 

[mountainmachine]

Personally I'd like to here if anyone knows why Fiat decided to use Ribe bolts; to me it just seems like a cynical attempt to put the DIY mechanic off working on their motor

Cynacal - never! Bit like those 'security' screws on a Dyson, they think someones gona steal it

 

[Stark]

A possible solution would be to cut the cover away around the bolts and then work them free with a mole grips. I don't see a cover costing very much from a scrap yard.
Just a thought.

 

[jug]

Personally I'd like to here if anyone knows why Fiat decided to use Ribe bolts; to me it just seems like a cynical attempt to put the DIY mechanic off working on their motor

increasingly almost every aspect of a car is designed to require dealer intervention, but thats how they make their money. spending oney on the correct tools is the only way to fight back, but that can end up costing you a small fortune.

 

[Stark]

increasingly almost every aspect of a car is designed to require dealer intervention, but thats how they make their money. spending oney on the correct tools is the only way to fight back, but that can end up costing you a small fortune.

I agree, recently i've been forced to buy new tools to complete a job on the car and feel i should share the ID of the vendor concerned. Great, fast service, quality items and very reasonable prices make this ebay shop worth a visit if you need anything, here's the url.
http://stores.ebay.co.uk/LANCASTERS-COMMERCIALS-AND-TOOLS
I hope this is of use to some of you.

 

[evo149]

Thanks to all the respondents.

I managed to get the cover open today using a normal allen key. The one i was using before is a torx type star shaped key.

During this process i used a matchbox (and i dont even smoke) to hold the cover open while i took a shot. I couldnt believe it when i picked up the matchbox a couple of matches dropped out the back and fell into the cover opening .

My own stupid fault for using a matchbox to hold the cover because the whole box could have dropped in there?!?! :bang: I managed to get one of them out using pliers, but the other one i couldnt see it had fallen to the bottom i guess. If there is a match somewhere in there now, would this cause a problem with the belt in future? I started up the engine but it didnt make any new noises.

Below are a few shots of the cover being opened.

Altogether i had to remove 5 bolts to prise the cover open. The top three were easy the lower side ones a bit tricky because theyre not easy to reach. I did hear a slight crack noise towards the front bottom part of the cover when i was trying to hold it open.

The reason i was trying to open the cover is to check the condition of the belt. But having seen the belt i cant tell if it looks like it has been changed recently? The car has been driven about 700 odd miles since bought. If anyone can tell by looking at the pics the condition please let me know.

 

[jug]

i can almost guarantee that belt has been changed in the not too distant past. there appears to be no thinning of the belt between the teeth, no scoring of the outer surface (usually gets lines and goes slightly shiny). in my opinion that belt wont need changing for a long time yet.

i would want to get the match out, although it is very unlikely to cause any damage, i'd still be worried just in case. if you got the top 5 bolts out you only have another 3 (iirc) and the cover will come off.

 

[evo149]

i can almost guarantee that belt has been changed in the not too distant past. there appears to be no thinning of the belt between the teeth, no scoring of the outer surface (usually gets lines and goes slightly shiny). in my opinion that belt wont need changing for a long time yet.

i would want to get the match out, although it is very unlikely to cause any damage, i'd still be worried just in case. if you got the top 5 bolts out you only have another 3 (iirc) and the cover will come off.

I'm glad the belt looks to be in good condition. I found the match under the car the next day, so i'm hoping it was just that one. It has been running fine since i closed the cover. Not sure if i would be able to access the lower 3 cover bolts, do they need the car to be raised? And it's so cold to be fiddling around in the engine bay at this time of year isnt it?

Imagine my horror when i dropped the matches into the opening. i thought when i start the engine the matches could light up and set the belt on fire..

 

[jug]

you're right it is too cold to be messing around. lets just keep our fingers crossed there's no more in there. even if there were some still in there they would most likely have settled at the bottom safely.

 

[evo149]

you're right it is too cold to be messing around. lets just keep our fingers crossed there's no more in there. even if there were some still in there they would most likely have settled at the bottom safely.

That's what i'm hoping too, even if i miscounted the matches that they've settled at the bottom of the case.