I'm want to try & change my own cambelt soon & would like to know if I will cause any damage by simply removing the belt. Obviously when I put the new belt on all the marks need to be lined up before I start the engine. I read that the passenger side cams spin when the belt is removed, does this cause any damage & are they a bitch to line back up again?

Thanks for your help.

 

As long as you align the pistons in the middle of the bores you'll have no problems. If one of the pistons is at TDC and the tension on the cam/valve springs is released then you COULD damage a valve.

There is an alignment mark on the crank and marks on the cam wheels for alignment.

 

Cheers mate! Much appreciated

 

Make sure all the marks are lined up BEFORE you remove the belt, don't just wip the belt off, and then get everything lined up.......

 

Will the marks stay lined up with the belt removed?

 

The crank mark will, but the right hand side bank of cams will no doubt move, this will be fine though if the crank is in the right position.

 

So I just make sure all the marks are where they should be before I take the belt off & all should be ok.

Thanks for all your help guys.

 

As said above. After you refit the belt REMOVE the spark plugs and wind the engine round by hand to make sure it turns freely (spanner on crankshaft pulley). This way if anything has gone out of line and the pistons and valves do hit you wont break them since your only going slowly with spanner pressure. After youve wound it a few times around check that all the marks still line up (just a final check before running)( if the crank and cam are 180 degrees opposed wind some more till they line up ). Put the plugs back in and fire it up.

You dont have to do this but its good practice. Better to check and double check, than write out a big check is how i was tought.