Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: Paulus62 on 27 June 2013, 12:08:07

Title: Cambelt fitting - Have I done it right????
Post by: Paulus62 on 27 June 2013, 12:08:07
Copied from last post in Torque values - query & oil filter problem - ½ solved ?
http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/index.php?topic=115973.msg1466117#msg1466117

As it is not related directly I have started a new post, if I'm wrong can admin do whatever needs to be done  ???

I now have another problem   although I think I've sorted it but would like to run it by those who know 

Put cam belt on as per the DVD, (not as simple to a novice as the DVD shows ) Got bottom lines in the right place worked upto cam 1 & 2 & got them in the right place, then realised it was on backwards! re did it again and moved on to cam 3, the line was short of the mark by a good inch    went back and re checked everything and was ok so took it off again and compared it to the belt that had come off, both have same GM code number & all the line in the same place   
Refitted all around ignoring marks on 3 & 4 cams only to have too much tension to put the roller in place, whereas on the driver side there was quite a bit of slack. So I removed the wedge and moved the belt towards the passenger side which enabled me to fit the roller.
The pictures below show how it is at night fall!

(http://dl.dropbox.com/s/s0nfykmy7iskpmo/Timing%20belt%20cams%201%262.jpg)
Cams 1 & 2 lined up with cam belt & cover marks
(http://dl.dropbox.com/s/gge1gokwjglc94k/Timing%20belt%20cam%203%20with%20cam%20%26%20case%20marks.jpg)
Cam 3 lined up with cover belt way off
(http://dl.dropbox.com/s/i1zi98kmt3axn2p/Timing%20belt%20cam%204%20with%20cam%20%26%20case%20marks.jpg)
Cam 4 lined up with cover as cam 3
(http://dl.dropbox.com/s/dclf9fi8lgj1hr0/Timing%20belt%20bottom%20mark%20with%20lock%20sowing%20case%20mark.jpg)(http://dl.dropbox.com/s/glbuuyfnufstkib/Timing%20belt%20bottom%20mark%20with%20drive%20shatf%20mark%20in%20line%20with%20case%20mark.jpg)
Bottom line on belt moved 1 or 2 teeth towards Cams 3&4 - TDC line on drive shaft lines up with cutout in cover

Have I done something wrong and if so what?

I can only surmise that the layout of the pulleys are different on the DBW 2.6 in some way compared to a 2.5  ???

Cheers - Paul  :y
Title: Re: Cambelt fitting - Have I done it right????
Post by: TheBoy on 27 June 2013, 12:18:24
Retake the photos with the crank lock in place, and the horseshoe in place on each set of cams.

Also need a pic of the tensioner.
Title: Re: Cambelt fitting - Have I done it right????
Post by: JamesV6CDX on 27 June 2013, 13:04:32
What year is your car, and does the belt have white and yellow marks?

On initial fitting, (before tensioning/setting up) the slack will be on the run between the crank pulley and the main tensioner - over on the left.

Title: Re: Cambelt fitting - Have I done it right????
Post by: Paulus62 on 27 June 2013, 13:33:25
Retake the photos with the crank lock in place, and the horseshoe in place on each set of cams.

Also need a pic of the tensioner.

New pictures:

(http://dl.dropbox.com/s/rwuibdfhxpnx2lh/Crank%20lock%20in%20place.jpg)

(http://dl.dropbox.com/s/yt8g39vxuegm5ej/Cams%201%20%26%202%20with%20horseshoe%20in%20place.jpg)

(http://dl.dropbox.com/s/qly116erhy9zp4j/Cams%203%20%26%204%20with%20horseshoe%20in%20place.jpg)

(http://dl.dropbox.com/s/61w7k1z7vljvncy/Cambelt%20tensioner%20.jpg)

What year is your car, and does the belt have white and yellow marks?

On initial fitting, (before tensioning/setting up) the slack will be on the run between the crank pulley and the main tensioner - over on the left.


It's a 2001 2.6 CDX manual Estate.

Cambelt has only white marks, no yellow. It was supplied by AndyC the tensioner plate was marked 01 as was the one off it & old belt is the same as this one

There was slack by main tensioner, but too much had to adjust towards the 3 & 4 cams on the drive shaft to get the adjuster to fit below cams 3 & 4

Everything looks in relation to TDC, the only problem is in the belt markings!

 :( :( :( :(
Title: Re: Cambelt fitting - Have I done it right????
Post by: JamesV6CDX on 27 June 2013, 13:38:12
I don't personally use the belt markings, but that's mainly through experience of doing quite a few and knowing how to set them up

Did you take your latest pics after you've turned the engine a couple of full turns?
Title: Re: Cambelt fitting - Have I done it right????
Post by: Paulus62 on 27 June 2013, 13:49:48
I don't personally use the belt markings, but that's mainly through experience of doing quite a few and knowing how to set them up

Did you take your latest pics after you've turned the engine a couple of full turns?

No I've not turned the engine over a few times yet, I was concerned about the belt not going on as per the OOF DVD.

Should I continue with that then take the photos again?

Maybe a little while, its raining hard at the moment!

Also there's no oil in her at the moment, do I wait until I've finished descaling the inside of the sump and put oil back in before turning over?
Title: Re: Cambelt fitting - Have I done it right????
Post by: sjc on 27 June 2013, 14:16:38
James' point is that the markings do no re-align after you turn the engine over and he is ruling that out as the reason why your marks are out.

Personally, I start by loosening off the guide and tensioner adjusters so they can be moved easily, then align the belt on the crank, run it by the right-hand guide roller, onto cam 4, then 3, then upper guide, then 2, then 1, and finally round the tensioner.

Saying that, when I did mine recently, the belt had no markings anyway.

BTW, I can't see your photos but that may just be my work internet.

This was mine when fitted and timed up.

(http://i1098.photobucket.com/albums/g373/sjcrossan/IMG_2185.jpg)
Title: Re: Cambelt fitting - Have I done it right????
Post by: Paulus62 on 27 June 2013, 15:10:09
James' point is that the markings do no re-align after you turn the engine over and he is ruling that out as the reason why your marks are out.

Personally, I start by loosening off the guide and tensioner adjusters so they can be moved easily, then align the belt on the crank, run it by the right-hand guide roller, onto cam 4, then 3, then upper guide, then 2, then 1, and finally round the tensioner.

Saying that, when I did mine recently, the belt had no markings anyway.

BTW, I can't see your photos but that may just be my work internet.

This was mine when fitted and timed up.

(http://i1098.photobucket.com/albums/g373/sjcrossan/IMG_2185.jpg)

Yes I understand that and I have yet to do it  :) I was concerned that I had something wrong on the initial belt fitting, as the DVD belt had markings the matched up on all 4 cams on fitting.

Also my engine has the right adjuster just above level with the water pump. Yours looks good, much cleaner than mine  ;D ;D
Title: Re: Cambelt fitting - Have I done it right????
Post by: chrisgixer on 27 June 2013, 18:10:09
Ignore the belt markings, you don't need them. Just use the locking kit and gauge provided. If that lines up, which it looks like they do, and everything is torqued correctly then all will be fine.

The belt marks wont line up once it's done a revolution anyway. They mean nothing really.
Title: Re: Cambelt fitting - Have I done it right????
Post by: sjc on 27 June 2013, 19:00:30
Yeah, I agree with Chris, everything looks to be lined up correctly (I'm at home now and can see your pictures) perhaps the belt marking are for the earlier models as you have suggested.
Title: Re: Cambelt fitting - Have I done it right????
Post by: omega3000 on 27 June 2013, 19:12:04
Tell me to shut up but  ;D

I presume the engine should be turned over by hand and not by the starter motor  :-\
Title: Re: Cambelt fitting - Have I done it right????
Post by: dbug on 27 June 2013, 19:19:25
Tell me to shut up but  ;D

I presume the engine should be turned over by hand and not by the starter motor  :-\

Yep :y
Title: Re: Cambelt fitting - Have I done it right????
Post by: Webby the Bear on 27 June 2013, 19:20:43
Tell me to shut up also....  ;D

BUT

even though the markings on the belt don't need to be used the OP DOES have them lined up on 1/2 bank.... so surely they should also line up on 3/4?  :-\
Title: Re: Cambelt fitting - Have I done it right????
Post by: dbug on 27 June 2013, 19:27:50
On some belts markings do line up 1/2 and 3/4, others the markings bear no relation to cam positions, others have no markings. Long as crank locked, cams in correct alignment and tensioner correct, should all be ok.  Thats why engine rotated a couple of revs and settings checked to ensure correct timing ;)

Seems a Vx V6 thing ???
Title: Re: Cambelt fitting - Have I done it right????
Post by: Paulus62 on 27 June 2013, 19:30:00
On some belts markings do line up 1/2 and 3/4, others the markings bear no relation to cam positions, others have no markings. Long as crank locked, cams in correct alignment and tensioner correct, should all be ok.  Thats why engine rotated a couple of revs and settings checked to ensure correct timing ;)

Seems a Vx V6 thing ???

Thank you  :y
Title: Re: Cambelt fitting - Have I done it right????
Post by: Webby the Bear on 27 June 2013, 19:42:20
On some belts markings do line up 1/2 and 3/4, others the markings bear no relation to cam positions, others have no markings. Long as crank locked, cams in correct alignment and tensioner correct, should all be ok.  Thats why engine rotated a couple of revs and settings checked to ensure correct timing ;)

Seems a Vx V6 thing ???

fair enough. whoever put markings on them that didn't line up with where theyre supposed to go is a bit insane  ;D
Title: Re: Cambelt fitting - Have I done it right????
Post by: dbug on 27 June 2013, 21:04:45
On some belts markings do line up 1/2 and 3/4, others the markings bear no relation to cam positions, others have no markings. Long as crank locked, cams in correct alignment and tensioner correct, should all be ok.  Thats why engine rotated a couple of revs and settings checked to ensure correct timing ;)

Seems a Vx V6 thing ???

fair enough. whoever put markings on them that didn't line up with where theyre supposed to go is a bit insane  ;D

Yep ....

Quote
Seems a Vx V6 thing ???
  :) ;)
Title: Re: Cambelt fitting - Have I done it right????
Post by: 05omegav6 on 27 June 2013, 22:06:04
My genuine belt had no markings at all on it fwiw :y

Not helped by me fitting it though ::)
Title: Re: Cambelt fitting - Have I done it right????
Post by: TheBoy on 28 June 2013, 10:22:43
If the crank lock is in place, and the cams line up with the horseshoe tool with the cam wedges out and the tensioner correctly set, thats right.

Turn the crank over 720 degrees (by hand) and check again, adjust if required and repeat, until no further tweaking is needed.
Title: Re: Cambelt fitting - Have I done it right????
Post by: omega3000 on 28 June 2013, 10:42:45
Do all engines need a crank locking tool  :-\
Title: Re: Cambelt fitting - Have I done it right????
Post by: henryd on 28 June 2013, 12:18:56
Do all engines need a crank locking tool  :-\

No,some makes have no provision for one and rely on marks :y
Title: Re: Cambelt fitting - Have I done it right????
Post by: aaronjb on 28 June 2013, 13:10:01
Do all engines need a crank locking tool  :-\

No,some makes have no provision for one and rely on marks :y

The Nissan (VG30DETT) was like that - a nightmare trying to hold all the sprockets in place, let alone rotate them against the valve springs when they inevitably snap to their 'resting spot'..
Title: Re: Cambelt fitting - Have I done it right????
Post by: omega3000 on 28 June 2013, 13:30:52
Do all engines need a crank locking tool  :-\

No,some makes have no provision for one and rely on marks :y

 :y

Title: Re: Cambelt fitting - Have I done it right????
Post by: Paulus62 on 28 June 2013, 13:56:06
Hi All,

Just to finish off pictures of belt in situ timing done  :y

needed to be adjusted on first 360° rotation of cams, then tensioner checked, 2nd 360° rotation spot on marks and same for 3rd 360°. Torqued up to specification, one happy bunny  :)

(http://dl.dropbox.com/s/vlfq714xyzf2zgr/Cams%201%262%20gauge%20post%20timing.jpg)
Gauge on cams 1 & 2

(http://dl.dropbox.com/s/0ia5c2vfuosaufz/Cams%203%264%20gauge%20post%20timing.jpg)
Gauge on cams 3 & 4

(http://dl.dropbox.com/s/uzpk7bp4njgwu1m/Crank%20lock%20post%20timing.jpg)
Crank lock on & snug to water pump

Thank you all for your help about the belt markings, etc. Being an inexperienced mechanic when it comes to engines I was quite worried that I'd done something wrong  ;D

Would an Admin consider putting an addendum in the Timing belt Guide in relation to belt markings not necessarily lining up with the marks on all or any of the cams as per

On some belts markings do line up 1/2 and 3/4, others the markings bear no relation to cam positions, others have no markings. Long as crank locked, cams in correct alignment and tensioner correct, should all be ok.  Thats why engine rotated a couple of revs and settings checked to ensure correct timing ;)

Seems a Vx V6 thing ???

It would have save me a lot of worry and would save others having to ask the same type of question in the future?

Cheers  :y


Paul  :)