Timing Belt Kit recommendations please

[SilverBeast]

Just passed it's MOT today (headlight adjuster and corroded brake line). Emissions fast pass despite pottering around on mostly 15 min, 7 mile journeys to work and back and doing <6k in the last year.

It's overdue for it's second replacement timing belt (time not mileage).  Can anyone recommend where I should get a Timing Belt, Tensioner and Water Pump kit from?  Web or ebay sellers preferred from my point of view, but will be getting mechanic to fit it for me.  Any suggestions on how long it should take?

[insanitybeard]

When I changed mine backalong I went for a Dayco kit from GSF (which is decent quality) which contains the belt, tensioner and idler, the water pump was separate but also available from GSF, your Galaxy is exactly the same spec/ power output as mine by the look of it. I reckon 4 hours or so to do the lot if you take it easy, I'm sure there are people out that that can do it a lot quicker but I always prefer to take my time!

[Mirez]

Mines 20k under but two years over... obviously your call but i would pop the cover off and inspect the condition of the belt before changing it out. Mine looks the same as when it went in, with no slack and no wear. I never normally advocate ditching a service schedule but the mileage is the key thing on timing belts.

[pabinlove]

Hi all I've just had my timing belt replaced my baby has just got round to 134000. And at a grand total of Ã,£305.00.
Are the belts a pain in the ass to change if I were to do it myself? Any recommendations or leave it to the garage? Just seams a lot for somebody else to do when if I could do it i may save some cash. What do you good people think?

[insanitybeard]

In simple terms, to change the timing belt on the TDI firstly you need to remove the airbox and offside front wheel, so axle stand/s required, and then the offside engine mount which is a little bit of a fiddle has to come off, obviously you will need a trolley jack to support and position the engine with the mount removed. Then you need to remove the auxiliary drive belt and tensioner, crankshaft pulley and 3 timing belt covers- the top one clips on, the others are bolted. With this lot done you are able to access the belt for changing.

It's down to your confidence and skills- if you're not put off by what I've listed above (and I'm not trying to put you off- sincerely!) and are confident setting the valve timing then you could have a go yourself, you do need a tool to properly lock the crankshaft sprocket though.

[SilverBeast]

Thanks to insanitybeard for the recommendation.  I may leave it till next year.  It was changed by previous owner at 60k in 2008 and is now on 111k. How may years is it supposed to be?  Still got to sell the house and sort out the divorce finances.

Managed to flatten my battery by leaving side lights on overnight after looking (briefly) at the headlight adjuster, so had to get the (seperated) wife to come down from her new house and give me a jump start with her fiesta! At least we still get on OK!

Also air-con compressor wasn't turning.  Poked pulley bolts with a cane and wiggled wiring to air-con clutch (engine off of course) and it now gets down to 8C out of the vents.  Is this the cheapest air-con fix?

[insanitybeard]

If I recall correctly, the belt change interval was 4 years or 40k rising to 60k / 6 years for 2003 on models (not sure at what build date the spec changed, or even why it changed- the parts and engines themselves are exactly the same to my knowledge!)

[gregers]

there has been a lot of discussion about timing change intervals over the years.
i was lead to believe that the change over from 40k to 60k was later part of 2003.

[SilverBeast]

If I recall correctly, the belt change interval was 4 years or 40k rising to 60k / 6 years for 2003 on models (not sure at what build date the spec changed, or even why it changed- the parts and engines themselves are exactly the same to my knowledge!)

Well as mines a 2005 I know it's 60k, I thought it was less than 6 years though. Don't feel so bad now.

Thanks again.

[pabinlove]

Is there any suggestions for a timing belt locking tool.

[insanitybeard]

This

[oberlisc]

I know it's your own personal preference, but have you rang Ford service dept to see if the water pump should be replaced, I ask this as I've just got a kit from ebay for my brothers 1.9TDi AUY engine, I paid Ã,£66.70 for a GATES one, I ask Ford if the water pump needed replacing and they said no its not on the schedule.

[insanitybeard]

It might not be on Ford's service schedule (water pump replacement is rarely if ever a scheduled item) but water pumps do fail due to bearing or seal failure, or the impeller detaching from the shaft, and you have to consider that if it fails, renewal requires the timing belt to be removed and replaced- imagine how miffed you would be if you paid Ã,£300 plus for a timing belt change and a couple thousand miles later your water pump packs up requiring the belt to be renewed again! Therefore, for only a little more cost it is good practice to renew the pump at the same time as the timing belt.

[oberlisc]

True and knowing my luck the tension from the new belt will kill the bearing off.

Guess I'm now looking for a water pump.

[insanitybeard]

It has been said that the change in tension from an old timing belt to a new one can indeed finish the water pump bearings off. In any case, apart from draining and refilling the coolant, by the time you've removed everything necessary to change the timing belt the pump itself only requires 3 additional bolts to be removed!

[oberlisc]

OK I've ordered one.........Happy now   

[HOW MANY GOES TO REGISTER]

I've just bought a 05 galaxy diesel auto with minimal history so decided to have the cambelt, water pump and thermostat renewed. I am a retired diesel engineer but would not like to do the cambelt change as tensioning is part of the belt setting which can alter the valve timing if not done properly with the tools required. I had this work done in Doncaster by a professional technician trained by v.w. and it cost me Ã,£300. It took approx. 4 hours to complete although a lot of this time was spent running the engine up to operating temperature to release the air through the thermostat. Excellent work by VAGCO.