How do you replace a Vauxhall Vectra cam belt?

Answer 1

Loosen the wheel nuts drivers side front wheel,jack up the front of the car and place it on axle stands and remove the wheel,remove the plastic inner wheel arch (just the piece to the right not all of it,its in two sections you want the small section removed) open the bonnet,place a trolley jack under the sump of the engine using a piece of wood between the jack and the sump and just take the weight of the engine,remove the front stabiliser arm from the front of the engine,locate the aux belt tensioner and using a 15mm spanner turn the tensioner clockwise to relive the tension on the belt and slip it off the alternator pulley,make a note of the direction of the belt and its layout on the pulleys,remove the timing belt cover,remove the spark plug cover on the top of the engine and remove number 1 spark plug,using a socket turn the engine using the cranckshaft pulley bolt until number 1 piston is at TDC (if you use a long screw driver in the hole where number 1 spark was you will see it rise as you turn the engine) check that the two marks on the camshaft sprockets and the timing mark on the crankshaft pulley line up,you will now need something to stop the camshafts moving when you slip the belt off,this is called a locking tool buy 1 it will save you money,place the tool between the camshaft sprockets it will be tight so tap it home gently,looking at the layout make a drawing of this,you now need an allen key and spanner,place the allen key in the belt tensioner and hold it in the position its in and slacken off the tensioner enough so the belt can be slipped off the sprockets(its better to buy a timing belt kit and replace tensioner and both belt pulleys),once the belt is off replacement is a reversal,replace the water pump as well when refitting the belt have the writing or any marks on the belt facing the direction of rotation which is clockwise,use the water pump to take any slack off the belt it makes it a bit easier when using the tensioner.I think that covers it.