2.0 HDi Basic Servicing Parts

[mjb]

I've not really found it difficult (my first cambelt change), there's just a number of things to do. The only things I've had trouble with are:

1. the starter motor can be an arse to get out (one of the bolts doesn't come out cleanly
2. the tensioner needs a square tool, slightly smaller and longer than a 3/8" wrench (I eventually realised my coupé's sump plug key fit perfectly)
3. I didn't expect so much water to be in the drained system, and soaked my nice warm padded overalls meaning it quickly got too cold to work

It's time consuming, but I've found it less difficult and quicker than changing my coupé's rear discs and handbrake shoes was!

About to go out now and finish off (covers back on, put the starter back, put air box back, aux belt back on, wheelarch liner back on, wheel back on, drop car off axle stands, fill with coolant, pray). Not expecting any serious pain...

EDIT:
Actually, I think the main difficulty with these is getting the crankshaft pulley bolt off. My mains-powered impact wrench did the job brilliantly. http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/produ ... act-wrench A very useful and back-saving tool!

[jasper5]

You were lucky to get the pulley bolt undone with that tool, some are mega tight, that's how my method came to be, even an air wrench used on trucks wouldn't undo some of them, but my method never fails and takes seconds and zero effort.

I've never had to remove the starter motor.

[mjb]

You were lucky to get the pulley bolt undone with that tool, some are mega tight,

Tell me about it! Pretty much bench pressed my old tubby off its axle stands trying to get the bolt off that!

I've never had to remove the starter motor.

How do you lock the flywheel? I found the hole bloody difficult to shove the allen key in, even with the starter out of the way!

[jasper5]

Do you remember when I came down to yours and used a long bolt which I bent over at the end to try to get the clutch bearing engaged on your car?

That long bolt had been ground down at the end so it fitted the flywheel hole....it was a good length to reach the hole behind the starter by feel....very easy to find with that long bolt.

You may still have it as I left it there, it's a cylinder head bolt from a K series engine.

These days I don't bother locking the flywheel, I just mark the teeth on the crank pulley that the timing belt runs on, plus I mark the cam pulley, you can't go wrong if you make lots of marks.

[mjb]

Do you remember when I came down to yours and used a long bolt which I bent over at the end to try to get the clutch bearing engaged on your car?

That long bolt had been ground down at the end so it fitted the flywheel hole....it was a good length to reach the hole behind the starter by feel....very easy to find with that long bolt.

Ahh I did actually think about that! I may still have that around somewhere, but the garage has become a bit of a tip since the baby came along and stole all my free time... By 'bit', I mean there's sod all chance of finding anything that isn't in my tool bag!