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[GastronomicKleptomaniac]

 My local friendly mechanic's going to do my timing belt and kit. Now, I was disappointed, he didn't look even slightly nervous when I said "V6 Omega timing belt" (compared to my old boss, who had a phone enquiry for the same, screamed, said "I don't want to touch it" and hung up...).

 So, apart from the belt... what else is worth changing while he's in there - water pump, aux belt, etc...?

[JamesV6CDX]

Timing belt KIT - tensioner, 2 x idlers, belt.

Water pump

Aux belt

Check the aux belt tensioner.

Make sure whoever does the work

1) uses the correct setting kit for this specific V6, and gets the timing bang on.
2) torques the pulleys up correctly, avioding premature failure.

[Tafty]

Timing belt KIT - tensioner, 2 x idlers, belt.

Water pump

Aux belt

Check the aux belt tensioner. get them to regrease the ball bearings and inner race too - both sides - really easy job and saves trouble in the future

Make sure whoever does the work

1) uses the correct setting kit for this specific V6, and gets the timing bang on.
2) torques the pulleys up correctly, avioding premature failure.

[TheBoy]

My local friendly mechanic's going to do my timing belt and kit. Now, I was disappointed, he didn't look even slightly nervous when I said "V6 Omega timing belt" (compared to my old boss, who had a phone enquiry for the same, screamed, said "I don't want to touch it" and hung up...).

 So, apart from the belt... what else is worth changing while he's in there - water pump, aux belt, etc...?

Cambelt and cambelt tensioners need replacing together.  If the guy does not have a GM V6 cam locking/timing kit, walk away, whatever he may say.

[Baz006]

My local friendly mechanic's going to do my timing belt and kit. Now, I was disappointed, he didn't look even slightly nervous when I said "V6 Omega timing belt" (compared to my old boss, who had a phone enquiry for the same, screamed, said "I don't want to touch it" and hung up...).

 So, apart from the belt... what else is worth changing while he's in there - water pump, aux belt, etc...?

 :-? Seriously, he may be a good mecahanic and want to help you out but if he has never done one before or doesn't have the right tools then let him down gently....

[justme]

My local friendly mechanic's going to do my timing belt and kit. Now, I was disappointed, he didn't look even slightly nervous when I said "V6 Omega timing belt" (compared to my old boss, who had a phone enquiry for the same, screamed, said "I don't want to touch it" and hung up...).

 So, apart from the belt... what else is worth changing while he's in there - water pump, aux belt, etc...?

Even these days there are some mechanics who do know thier stuff and never use cam locking kits, didnt someone say they used clothes pegs. Torque settings for all cars manufactured are avilable in one publication together with all other tech specs. Locking kits tend to be used by less experianced newer type mechanics (the part changers)  

[TheBoy]

My local friendly mechanic's going to do my timing belt and kit. Now, I was disappointed, he didn't look even slightly nervous when I said "V6 Omega timing belt" (compared to my old boss, who had a phone enquiry for the same, screamed, said "I don't want to touch it" and hung up...).

 So, apart from the belt... what else is worth changing while he's in there - water pump, aux belt, etc...?

Even these days there are some mechanics who do know thier stuff and never use cam locking kits, didnt someone say they used clothes pegs. Torque settings for all cars manufactured are avilable in one publication together with all other tech specs. Locking kits tend to be used by less experianced newer type mechanics (the part changers)  

No disrespect intended, but that is exactly the attitude I was trying to warn about.  Some mechanics think that doing the GM V6 can be done without a locking/timing kit, same as most other engines.  It can't.  The locking/timing kit is essential.

[JamesV6CDX]

My local friendly mechanic's going to do my timing belt and kit. Now, I was disappointed, he didn't look even slightly nervous when I said "V6 Omega timing belt" (compared to my old boss, who had a phone enquiry for the same, screamed, said "I don't want to touch it" and hung up...).

 So, apart from the belt... what else is worth changing while he's in there - water pump, aux belt, etc...?

Even these days there are some mechanics who do know thier stuff and never use cam locking kits, didnt someone say they used clothes pegs. Torque settings for all cars manufactured are avilable in one publication together with all other tech specs. Locking kits tend to be used by less experianced newer type mechanics (the part changers)  

No disrespect intended, but that is exactly the attitude I was trying to warn about.  Some mechanics think that doing the GM V6 can be done without a locking/timing kit, same as most other engines.  It can't.  The locking/timing kit is essential.

I wholly agree with Jaime (yes TB, you can have that in writing )

Only point to add, is that the locking kit for the V6, is also a SETTING kit, and is needed due to the nature of the micro-adjustable rollers...

You CANNOT get this right without the kit.

[Richard A]

Who is this idiot "Justme", please listen to the other more knowledgeable members.
I have just had the cam belt changed (including rollers, tensioner) the work was done by a Vauxhall service manager (not Vauxhall price) who used the full fitting kit, as already said it acts as a checking fixture as well.
regards

[sassanach]

well what can i say, ive never used a locking kit on a gm v6. ive always been under the impressiion that the locking kit is one of those items that make a fiddly time consuming job a doddle. what ive always done is adjust the rh bank onto its alignment marks via the rh adjustable roller with the crank on tdc,then rotate by the engine by  hand  acouple of times then bring the lh bank on line by adjusting the centre adjustable roller.  where as with a kit  you just lock the cams (on a couple of occasions ive used mole grips to do the same job ,lightly applied) and then lock the crank, change the belt and voila job done.each to there own i suppose, ive never bought the kit because i dont make a living at this, i just do it for fun.ps ive done approx 12- 15 engines like this including yesterdays 2.5 v6 WITHOUT any issues.now sits back with popcorn to await the furore and wrath of the forum

[TheBoy]

well what can i say, ive never used a locking kit on a gm v6. ive always been under the impressiion that the locking kit is one of those items that make a fiddly time consuming job a doddle. what ive always done is adjust the rh bank onto its alignment marks via the rh adjustable roller with the crank on tdc,then rotate by the engine by  hand  acouple of times then bring the lh bank on line by adjusting the centre adjustable roller.  where as with a kit  you just lock the cams (on a couple of occasions ive used mole grips to do the same job ,lightly applied) and then lock the crank, change the belt and voila job done.each to there own i suppose, ive never bought the kit because i dont make a living at this, i just do it for fun.ps ive done approx 12- 15 engines like this including yesterdays 2.5 v6 WITHOUT any issues.now sits back with popcorn to await the furore and wrath of the forum

Sassanach - as you know, I have a huge respect for your abilities

Few things...

The markings on the rear cam cover plate are only a guide to initially get belt on roughly, not accurate.

Getting exact TDC without the crank lock is always going to involve guesswork.

The engine is not 'safe' at tdc, so the cam locks are easier than holding 4 cams.

Cam timing needs the timing tool, as you can't get accurate without.


Whatever you do one your own car is one thing, but if you paid someone, you would expect them to use the proper kit (seeing as its pretty impossible to get it spot on without the kit).  The number we have seen that are out shows how many are being done carelessly...


BTW - Sassanach, if ever you need the locking (and timing) kit, give me a shout...   ....it would be interesting to pop off the cover, and test with the kit to see how close you got it

[Andy B]

...............now sits back with popcorn to await the furore and wrath of the forum

     

[TheBoy]

Who is this idiot "Justme", please listen to the other more knowledgeable members.
I have just had the cam belt changed (including rollers, tensioner) the work was done by a Vauxhall service manager (not Vauxhall price) who used the full fitting kit, as already said it acts as a checking fixture as well.
regards

Just a member trying to help others.  I believe he is wrong in this case, but we are all entitled to our own opinions.  We all get it wrong sometimes

[GastronomicKleptomaniac]

 *looks at open can, and worms everywhere*

 Cheers guys, appreciate the advice. I'll be ringing him tomorrow, I'll ask him then. If not, it'll be either finding a decent specialist... or a VX stealer...

[JamesV6CDX]

Before I become fully competent with Omegas, when I was at the "have a go, experimental" stage, I fitted a V6 cambelt kit following the Haynes manual, which said it could be done without (but would need checking afterwards).

It's only now, I know why it ran like a bag of nails!

Knowing what I know now, I would always use the correct kit.

I recon I must have done near on 30+ cambelts on the Omega for other people, and 28 of them probably weren't bang on!