Newbie question... 406 cambelt change problems

[f1ferrari0]

Sorry to join and question straight away but only got the car few days ago. O/h has serviced it but advised cambelt change as no record of it ever being done. Hit several obstacles so far. Current problem is how to get the crank shaft pulley off. He says its so tight. Also, is it clockwise or anticlockwise?

Your help and advise in this would be much apprecaited as local Pug dealership just quoted over £250 to change cambelt...

Cheers all : )

[f1ferrari0]

He's even had a ?24 breaker bar on it and now talking air wrench... is this a good idea, please advise

[jameslxdt]

they can be a right arse to get off, an air gun is fine to use, and it does undo anti-clockwise

[f1ferrari0]

He starts winter annual leave as of midnight tonight so will give him that info james, much appreciated. I just want to drive my new (old) 406! Had it for over a week and front wheel been of for past 4 days after I was banned from using it until cambelt was done. Only driven 41 miles in it so far and that was up the motorway and back on the day I got it lol

[Savvy]

The crankshaft pulley on a HDi is very tight and covered in Loctite. To do it safely, you really need to lock the flywheel - Sealey do a special tool for this (VS1286). The alternative suggested by Haynes is to stick the car in 5th gear and apply the brakes firmly (I've never managed to do it this way). If you are lucky enough to have an impact wrench, I would get a new crankshaft pulley bolt for re-assembly just in case it gets a bit mangled.

Good luck

savvy