On Wed, 20 Oct 2004 11:34:13 +0100, Mr.Nice.
<mr.nice@-nospam-clara.co.uk> wrote:

>Next job on my list is the timing belt on my 2.5 n/a diesel.
>I've read through the have read the haynes and the LR workshop manual
>and it looks ruddy complicated but I think I could follow it once
>actually there and working.

I've read everybody elses replys, and they dont sound much like when i
did mine! Ive seen mentions of harmonic balancers and locking pins and
i dont recall either of them. Either my engine is different or one of
us is thinking of the wrong things.
I thought that it was a fairly simple procedure to do. Fair few bits
and it sounds daunting but it is all pretty obvious

>Questions:
>Aside from a new timing belt do I need new anything else such as
>gaskets?

Water pump gasket. Maybe the thermostat/housing ones. When i went to
get the gasket for my waterpump i was told there was either 7 bolt or
9 bolt water pumps, so count your bolts first to ensure you get the
right one (I didnt!).

>Do I need to go and buy some pullers?

I dont have any pullers, or know of why youd need em? The only thing
that is hard to get off is the main pulley, but a big lever/hammer
will sort that out.

>What do I need to set the timing marks? is it a case of lining up
>marks or do I need pins to lock xy and z bits?

Mine was all marks. Each turny bit had an obvious mark on it (or
hole/cast pointer) which lines up with obvious marks on the engine
behind it.

>Will the process mean draining the coolant (not a problem as I need to
>do that anyway)?

Yes, as the water pump has to come off

>Including tea brakes, bandaging hands, and swearing time, can this be
>done in a day for a home-mechanic? (you know my abilities to date,
>clutch master replacement recently, and brake overhaul, did a head
>gasket years ago too).

Yes. Might be a long day, but you should be able to do it.

good luck!

there are marks to line up on the timing belt pulleys/gears .

the water pump has to be removed as it is part of the timing cover and you need
to remove all bolts securing timing cover .

you have to fit a pin in through a hole in the bellhousing that locks the
flywheel in place ,once you line the slot up, if i remember hole is on top of
the bellhousing directly behind the cylinder block.
this also requires using the timing cover drain plug with a 5mm ? hole
drilled in its centre so you can drop pin thru . .

the "harmonic balancer " IS the front pulley and not all of them come off in
youre hands .

definately need a torque wrench to pre load timing belt .

On or around 22 Oct 2004 17:34:44 GMT, m0bcg@aol.com (M0bcg) enlightened us
thusly:

>you have to fit a pin in through a hole in the bellhousing that locks the
>flywheel in place ,once you line the slot up, if i remember hole is on top of
>the bellhousing directly behind the cylinder block.

bloody TDi one is underneath, you use the drain hole and it's a pain in the
arse, pin keeps dropping out.