DIY Cambelt Change

[chris_c201]

Folks,

I've done some thorough searching and read the articles etc, but i still ain't sure....

My question is -

As a fairly novice DIY mechanic (done brake changes, services, alternator changes etc) is this realistically a job i could tackle or am i likely to end up costing myself an engine in the long run?

I am quite up for the challenge, and enjoy working on the car but i don't fancy hitting a stalemate at some point, or even worse putting it all back togerher to find i've made a catastrophic error....

If i supplied all the parts (cambelt, aux belts, idler, tensioners and water pump) how much would a garage likely charge, my local being "The Garage" in Wishaw near Glasgow.

Cheers,
Chris

[elnevio]

A day's work - maybe £250 or so? Ball park though.

[steelie600]

ANY ONE can do a cambelt mate. Just check check and check again!! Its not rocket science so dont be afraid to tackle it. There is a good guide on here which tells you how to do it.

My big tip for cambelts tho is Tippex!! So you can make extra timing marks to be 100% certain its correct. Some belts are easier than others and I wont lie the vr4 is quite involved, but take your time and youll be fine.

[Turbo_Steve]

It really depends how patient you are: The rear cam is a complete and utter pain to get the belt on: Whilst I agree cambelts are generally not as serious as they are made out to be, you'll be removing a LOT of stuff out of the way to get to it: it can be a bit intimidating. I would say that if this is your first ever cambelt change, maybe pay another "experienced" member to supervise you whilst you do it: most will do it for beer and petrol (including Kev).

It's not a difficult job, but I'd say the VR4 possibly isn't the first one I'd like to do, especially as you might as well do the water pump "while you're down there"

[steelie600]

Agree with the rear cam, but patience is the key there tho, and lots of extra timing marks!!

I would offer to do it for petrol and Beer but from me to you is a lot of petrol!!

[Turbo_Steve]

I would suggest you put up an "Assistance required in Jockland" thread, and see if one of our Scottish contingent (and there are many) will offer to help you. I am sure someone will, Chris.

As Steelie says, nothing about it is difficult, but you do need the right tools, and a bucket load of patience. It's a four spanner job IMO.

Have you changed the sparkplugs on the VR4 at all? I'd suggest you try that first (there is also a guide) and see how you fare. If you find it easy, the cambelt is 20% more difficult and 3 times as time consuming.

[ANTHONY]

you might as well do the water pump "while you're down there"sounds like a line from a porn film

[steelie600]

Spark plugs 1/2 hour job! Ask Karl he was a witness!! Would have done it quicker if i hadnt got the throttle cable behind the plenum brackets!!

[chris_c201]

Not done sparkplugs but plan to do them soon, cambelt will be a few months away so i'll get an idea of how it is to work on.

May well do the "assistance" trick nearer the time, pretty sure i'd be ok but would definitely feel comfier with someone there that actually knows what their doing.

Think i've seen that film Anthony ;)

[PaddyB]

First job I did on my VR4 was the water pump - which means cambelt renewal. Also the first time I'd done a cambelt - I fugured SOHC straight 4/6 would be too easy so I went for a twin cam vee to start with.

Follow the guide/manual & you will be fine - just take your time & check yiur work.