Cambelt & Head replacement

Site Subscriber Joined: 29 Dec 2004 Posts: 395

Well it looks like it's cambelt time again on my clio.

The dilemma: Do i leave it a while until i can afford to pay crazy garage rates, or do i do it myself. I have never done a cambelt on a clio 16v before but have a very good and very detailed guide from the www.m-fix.co.uk/clio/ website.
Trouble is, i have a recon head waiting to be fitted aswell, so if the cambelt is coming off, why not the head aswell. Don't want to fit the cambelt only for it to be taken off again when i get round to doing the head.

Now i think this could be getting out of my league.

I need to do something about it quick because i can hear a rattling noise coming from under the cambelt cover.

How big a job is a cambelt and head replacement, how much time would i need to complete the job?
I've been told 4 hours for the cambelt (minimum (if all goes well))
so about 12 hours for me. But the head is goint to add hours aswell.

Anyone want to do it for me?? lol

Site Subscriber Joined: 10 Jun 2004 Posts: 2317

More like 2 hours by a garage if all goes well.

Site Subscriber Joined: 29 Dec 2004 Posts: 395

Another quick question.

When the cambelt is released, will the cams sit naturally in the TDC position or do they need to be locked with something?

Just a bit worried about damaging any valves thats all.

Cheers!

Site Subscriber Joined: 28 Jan 2005 Posts: 3547

find TDC, then lock the crank in position, the cam cover has 2 little notches shown where the cams should be, just make sure they dont get turned whilst the belt is off. then check they're all lined up before putting the belt on.

Mr Quoter-vator Joined: 16 Feb 2004 Posts: 7405

or, just line up the white marks on the belt with the notches on the three pulleys.

you can spin them as much as you like in the meantime.