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[mkaminski100]

I have recently bought a SKF cambelt kit for my V6 from AutoVaux. Kit was installed by Robsey, but after a while it started making squeaking noise, every 2-3 seconds. It was Sunday so I decided to check on that and found that the belt was misaligned and was pulled ca 2mm towards the engine (it was moved ca 4mm of pulley towards the engine). I have also noticed that grease is coming from rolls, which was even more surprising because tensioner was set in proper position.   I have adjusted everything once again (kept old plate, swapper up & down rolls), but found that it’s doing the same again. All washers are in place (thin under upper roll, thick under bottom one)
Funny enough, friend of mine, that sells car parts told me that they had many claims on SKF V6 cambelt sets recently. Apparently, both rolls fail and are misaligned, they pull the belt and it starts to tear. Don’t know what to do, as I have to do 1300km in 2 weeks time.
Last time I bought a Vx set it was ok, never had any problems, but this one doesn’t look right. I cant check cambelt every week to check if it’s still there, but I know that AutoVaux will complain that I’ve installed it wrong. Or is it something normal and this type of belt needs some time to adjust?

[Kevin Wood]

Oh, sh1t! Cambelt change due in 200 miles.. SKF kit purchased.  

So, are you saying that the rollers are not aligned accurately so that the belt runs against the edges of the rollers?

Kevin

[Elite Pete]

Ive seen some that have a thinner washer at the back of the rollers, you have to change them for the original one.

[Elite Pete]

Ive seen some that have a thinner washer at the back of the rollers, you have to change them for the original one.

Just read the full post, take no notice of me

[ians]

FYI SKF idlers are supplied with many of the kits inc GM and Gates.

[mkaminski100]

FYI SKF idlers are supplied with many of the kits inc GM and Gates.

They are but few years ago faulty SKF rollers were supplied on market (fakes?), while A class ones were sold by dealers. Many people lost their engines on SKF supply, and there were no complains to genuine ones. I have also fit a Vx set to my Vectra V6, but didn’t have any problem. Rolls were packed in paper and belt looked different.

Elite Pete – belt is being pulled towards the inner roller edge. Not much, but still enough to leave some rubber on the plate. I spent whole Sunday to adjust it again (took it all apart) so I don’t want to do it again just to find out that it’s the same…

[VX1]

I would replace the cambelt kit again for peace of mind due to not wanting to have a knackered engine due to your trip. Get intouch with Autovaux and see what they say you may get a refund, then buy another kit elsewhere.

Paul

[mkaminski100]

I am quite sure what the answer would be – Was it installed by a qualified person? No. Well, you’ve probably installed it wrong… And secondly, I would have to put my old set, send new , wait a week or so and if it would be ok, install it again… Next time I will not break about it and go for a genuine set.
I have checked it again yesterday and it looks like this sound is when all white markings are going through the upper roll! Funny but true. And it’s louder now. Rolls are losing grease anyway so I’m thinking about replacing bearings with something proper. My only concern is tensioner spring, as I cant replace it.
Many other people complain about SKF quality and it looks like genuine sets are higher quality (grade A?). apart from that I can confirm that Gates is not a genuine belt supplier – it’s ContiTech.

[dbug]

I am quite sure what the answer would be – Was it installed by a qualified person? No. Well, you’ve probably installed it wrong… And secondly, I would have to put my old set, send new , wait a week or so and if it would be ok, install it again… Next time I will not break about it and go for a genuine set.
I have checked it again yesterday and it looks like this sound is when all white markings are going through the upper roll! Funny but true. And it’s louder now. Rolls are losing grease anyway so I’m thinking about replacing bearings with something proper. My only concern is tensioner spring, as I cant replace it.
Many other people complain about SKF quality and it looks like genuine sets are higher quality (grade A?). apart from that I can confirm that Gates is not a genuine belt supplier – it’s ContiTech.

I have used Contitech kits on both of mine - are you sure about Gates as my original investigation showed both Gates & Contitech were GM suppliers of V6 kits.

[chrisdb]

I bought genuine VX had had this same problem with the grease leaking out. Swapped the rollers and tensioners for a new set but engine is making a horible knocking sound now. Maybe there is a cambelt virus :-?

[mkaminski100]

Dbug – I have found few Gates belts in V6, but any recent cambelt kit from Vx has ContiTech belt in it.
Chrisdb – stupid question but did you use proper washers under each roll? These are different!
BTW – do you set the tensioner?

[dbug]

Dbug – I have found few Gates belts in V6, but any recent cambelt kit from Vx has ContiTech belt in it.
Chrisdb – stupid question but did you use proper washers under each roll? These are different!
BTW – do you set the tensioner?

Sure both Gates & Contitech are Vx suppliers for cam belt kits - guess Vx will supply either dependant on availability!

I bought 2 x Contitech kits from http://www.buypartsby.co.uk/timing-belt-kit-vauxhall.php?pageNum_Recordset1=17&totalRows_Recordset1=313 - when I opened them both belts stamped GM.  Done last Aug - touch wood no probs to date with either.

The tensioner must be correctly set (as detailed in Contitech instructions and in OOF DVD) or else you will have problems!!

[chrisdb]

Dbug – I have found few Gates belts in V6, but any recent cambelt kit from Vx has ContiTech belt in it.
Chrisdb – stupid question but did you use proper washers under each roll? These are different!
BTW – do you set the tensioner?

Yes, I replaced the washers with the ones from the kit, but when I changed the rollers and tensioner I'm not sure if I used the 2nd new washers... If there were a problem with the washers could this cause a knocking noise that seems to come from the front of the engine between the camshafts? I did set the tensioner, as per the DVD instructions, but once set to the initial 4mm gap it moves after the first cranking... was tld that this is OK

[Kevin Wood]

The tension should be checked after the first turning over of the crank. It may well have moved due to slack being taken up in the belt in which case  you will need to adjust it again.

If you have odd noises coming from the cam belt area I would not run the engine until you've stripped it back down and checked it.

Kevin

[chrisdb]

The tension should be checked after the first turning over of the crank. It may well have moved due to slack being taken up in the belt in which case  you will need to adjust it again.

If you have odd noises coming from the cam belt area I would not run the engine until you've stripped it back down and checked it.

Kevin

Thanks, this is my job for the weekend. Been using a hire car for the last couple of weeks so I'm hoping I can get it fixed.