Cambelt change on 1.8 16 valve

[lukecrowley571]

Hi all,

Has anyone managed to change the cambelt on a 1.8 16 valve (XU7 JP4) engine with the engine still in the car?

On mine, there is not enough clearance between the camshaft pulleys and the inner wing to get a torque wrench in to tighten up the camshaft bolts after the new belt had been fitted. These bolts are not something that I would like to leave up to my 'calibrated elbow'! Any advice?

Thanks in advance!

[Mighty306]

Not done a 1.8 but have done several 2.0l 16v engines where space is equally tight. Have you got the cam pulley with the single central bolt or the ones with 3 separate smaller bolts? If the former then put on a load of locktight n do it up fairly tight. I presume you have a cam holding tool to assist with that? If you're a good judge if such things then I'm sure you'll be fine. I expect every belt change on these cars with the engine in situ has been done without a torque wrench!

[lukecrowley571]

Thanks for that. Yep, mine is the one with the single central bolts. Need to check the cal cert for my elbow though, it might be out!

[welshpug]

plenty of space to torque them up

[Mighty306]

I'm guessing I never jack the engine high enough then!