Cambelt & waterpump tips - DONE!

[Big Tone]

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! )

[Big Tone]

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?

[daz veedub]

ur a braver man than me good luck mate and take ya time 

[Granta Gti]

You will be fine. 
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

[Big Tone]

Nice one, I'll be starting first thing tomorrow so stay logged on! 

All parts.......£97.03 inc VAT!!!!!!

[Big Tone]

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?

[Granta Gti]

Well done mate 

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

[Wayne]

Great result with replacing cam belt etc, not a job I would want to tackle 

[Dave_IOW]

Great result with replacing cam belt etc, not a job I would want to tackle 

Indeed, very brave, but very satisfying i believe 

[Big Tone]

Well done mate 

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