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Model specific boards => Golf mk4 => Topic started by: Big Tone on 26 May 2011, 00:28

Title: Cambelt & waterpump tips - DONE!
Post by: Big Tone on 26 May 2011, 00:28
Going to have to do this on Friday
must get it done.

Have ordered a cambelt kit,tensioner and waterpump.

Any tips?

Cheers
Title: Re: Cambelt & waterpump tips
Post by: Granta Gti on 26 May 2011, 07:15
Are you doing it yourself?
Title: Re: Cambelt & waterpump tips
Post by: 1 gti on 26 May 2011, 08:23
Also the hydraulic tensioner damper I think it's called. It's not part of the kit which is stupid. It's about £100 from the dealers. Quite a few people forget to do this.
Title: Re: Cambelt & waterpump tips
Post by: Big Tone on 26 May 2011, 08:46
Are you doing it yourself?

Yup,
Title: Re: Cambelt & waterpump tips
Post by: Big Tone on 26 May 2011, 08:53
Also the hydraulic tensioner damper I think it's called. It's not part of the kit which is stupid. It's about £100 from the dealers. Quite a few people forget to do this.

Yup, do you know of any other how to.s? Sren the one on ukmkivs but thats it.
Title: Re: Cambelt & waterpump tips
Post by: T_J_G on 26 May 2011, 08:56
It's not a straight forward job so factor a days work if you have the right parts (check and check again...) You may need two jacks, one to raise the car and the other to raise the engine. I helped do mine and to be honest wouldn't want t do it again. Getting the belt on can be a right pain.

I know labour is expensive but it'll offer some form of comeback, if you DIY then your belt snaps or the timing is out you've got an even larger bill!

EDIT: Remember you'll need coolant, and while it's all drained I'd put a new thermostat in, as when mine went it cooked the stat, so it overheated AFTER the pump change. My thermostat was only 8 months old as well (VW part) . Should only be about an extra £10 and 10 mins work as you'll have the coolant drained.
Title: Re: Cambelt & waterpump tips
Post by: Big Tone on 26 May 2011, 09:34
Nice one, I know its a pain but I have no choice, plus once I have done it......right?

Got two jacks and stands and all the tools listed ib the "how to" just wanted to double check.

Anyway, hope its fine tomorrow :lipsrsealed:
Title: Re: Cambelt & waterpump tips
Post by: T_J_G on 26 May 2011, 09:53
you got a thermostat to pop in?

You want to get cracking tomorrow as it's a bank holiday weekend and all parts/tool places will be shut Monday!

Wish you the best of luck and hope it all goes according to plan!
Title: Re: Cambelt & waterpump tips
Post by: Big Tone on 26 May 2011, 09:55
you got a thermostat to pop in?

You want to get cracking tomorrow as it's a bank holiday weekend and all parts/tool places will be shut Monday!

Wish you the best of luck and hope it all goes according to plan!

Cheers, fingers crossed!

Cambelt is not due for another 10k!

Oh, and I do have a new stat, even though the existing is only 6 months old
Title: Re: Cambelt & waterpump tips
Post by: T_J_G on 26 May 2011, 09:59
Still worth changing though as my genuine one that has nly been in 8 months didn't make it through the over heating!

Have you diagnosed it as the pump? If you take off the thermostat housing and put your fingers in and down in the coolsnt channel to the left you can feel the pump impeller. If it spins freely it's knackered!
Title: Re: Cambelt & waterpump tips
Post by: Big Tone on 26 May 2011, 10:17
Still worth changing though as my genuine one that has nly been in 8 months didn't make it through the over heating!

Have you diagnosed it as the pump? If you take off the thermostat housing and put your fingers in and down in the coolsnt channel to the left you can feel the pump impeller. If it spins freely it's knackered!

Aint opened her up yet, new stat was fitted 6 months ago, new sender on tuesday.

I have no circulation back into the header tank but I know that the stat is open as I can "pump" water round the whole system when squeezing the rad hoses. (This is what helped cool her down yesterday! :laugh:)
Title: Re: Cambelt & waterpump tips
Post by: Big Tone on 26 May 2011, 10:34
Just been reading more about doing this and seems it is possible for the belts to be slightly out.

Question is, if mine is found to be slightly out on removal, do I put it back as found or try to adjust things?
Title: Re: Cambelt & waterpump tips
Post by: daz veedub on 26 May 2011, 12:37
ur a braver man than me good luck mate and take ya time  :smiley:
Title: Re: Cambelt & waterpump tips
Post by: Granta Gti on 26 May 2011, 13:49
You will be fine.  :smiley:
It's easy to correct, turn the engine by hand and line up the flywheel as it's marked. If you take your airbox off you can see your flywheel and turn it till you see the marks line up.

I did my cambelt and wasn't too bad, the hardest bit is getting the belt on, I had to take off the idler pulley and undo the bolts halfway for the tensioner to get the belt on. As mentioned make sure you got a bucket and antifreeze ! Any problems give me a shout mate
Title: Re: Cambelt & waterpump tips
Post by: Big Tone on 26 May 2011, 14:33
Nice one, I'll be starting first thing tomorrow so stay logged on!  :laugh:

All parts.......£97.03 inc VAT!!!!!!
Title: Re: Cambelt & waterpump tips
Post by: Big Tone on 27 May 2011, 18:17
DONE!

Impellor had cracked but not disintegrated and was not spinning.

New waterpump with brass impellor fitted.

Timing belt kit and hydraulic tensioner fitted.

8 steady hours with a lunch, definatley quicker if I was to do it again.

Everything aligned perfectly, cranked engine twice by hand before starting, ran for 20 mins, quickly up to temp and stayed there, just need to keep an eye on the coolant level now (airlocks) and all is good. right?

Is there anything else I should watch?
Title: Re: Cambelt & waterpump tips - DONE!
Post by: Granta Gti on 27 May 2011, 20:04
Well done mate  :smiley:

To make sure there are no air locks, turn your heater onto full and make sure that it coming through hot!
Title: Re: Cambelt & waterpump tips - DONE!
Post by: Wayne on 27 May 2011, 21:30
Great result with replacing cam belt etc, not a job I would want to tackle  :cool:
Title: Re: Cambelt & waterpump tips - DONE!
Post by: Dave_IOW on 27 May 2011, 22:00
Great result with replacing cam belt etc, not a job I would want to tackle  :cool:

Indeed, very brave, but very satisfying i believe  :wink:
Title: Re: Cambelt & waterpump tips - DONE!
Post by: Big Tone on 28 May 2011, 09:43
Well done mate  :smiley:

To make sure there are no air locks, turn your heater onto full and make sure that it coming through hot!

Checked coolant this morning, drove 50 miles, both a roads and motorway, checked coolant again, all ok and the heaters blow hot.

Result! Especially for £100