As we’re going on Holiday in 2 weeks, I thought I better get round to changing the timing belt on the disco. It has 132k on the clock. When we got it, I was told the belt had been done this side of 100k, but it has been on the back of my mind since getting it, HAS IT BEEN DONE?
I bit the bullet and got the full kit. Crankshaft bolt came out easy, big strong arm under the OS chassis and spun it over (after disconnecting the fuel cut off solenoid first). Bottom pulley came off easy as well (was expecting a struggle) did not need a puller, just a tap with the hammer as the crankshaft had been greased up. Front plate came off next. One tip, draw the out line of the cover on a piece of cardboard then push the bolt through in sequence, don’t get them mixed up!
The belt had been changed, but it had been rubbing against the cover plate. I had the kit so off it came. The next thing was to remove the tensioner and idler pulley; they both had a lot of play in them, well worth changing.
Then it happened, I knew it was going too easy, this was the one and only problem I had. At the back of the idler pulley, there should be a spacer. WRONG! It was part of the idler pulley, so I had to make one. Then just put in all back together and time it up. Then put the front plate back on, bottom pulley and all the belts.
I followed the Haynes manual and found it to be right on the money.
The reason I have wrote this is to say, don’t be put off by all the horror stories you read. They are just that, stories. I followed the manual, but did not really need it. The pump can be locked up with a 3/8-drill bit and remember to line up the timing marks! One off, one on. It should be that easy. Yes the bottom pulley could be a pig to get off, but that would be the worst bit. If you are happy to do a full service, then this should be with in your limits.
I was dreading doing this job after reading the stories, but it was easy to do.
It’s worth remembering the no two jobs are the same.
