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MG MGF Technical - Access to engine: Cambelt change

Basically, the motor that I purchased (on the cheap, should have read the small print)hasn't had the cambelt changed, despite having the 5 year service. Actually the garage that carried out the service can't confirm whether it has or hasn't, so i'm assuming it hasn't, therefore it needs doing. I've got an excellent independant mechanic who will do the job for me but I wanted to do some of the donkey work first, i.e provide him access to the engine etc to save time and cost. My question is therefore, what do you need to remove for the job to be completed. Can you access it from the engine bay panel or do i need to remove seats, etc. Any info is as always gratefully received!
Rob

Rob

The engine bay panel is the only way in from above.

The engine strictly speaking needs to be dropped to get the new belt(s VVC has two) on BUT those that have tried it say it can be done by just releasing one of the mounting points and letting the engine down a little.

Ted
Ted Newman

The engine mounting bracket has to be removed as it goes thru the centre of the belt, also the alternator belt and pully need removing (210Nm) to remove the lower cover.
Will Munns

As Ted says partial access made through the engine bay compartment where 5 8mm bolts can be removed from the cam cover to reveal the top of the cam belt. By removing the off-side wheel you will discover a fibre panel held in place by a single bolt, remove this panel an you will have access to the lower cam belt cover which will have to be removed.

As Will says, you will need to release the engine mounting so support the engine on a jack while doing this. When the mounting is released it will also make access to the belt tensioner possible. Ensure you do tension the belt before refitting the engine mounting bracket, otherwise it is a complete s*d to do afterwards.

Tim
tim woolcott

and change the alternator belt at the same time...

Bruce
Bruce Caldwell

... and the cam belt tensioner...

Ralph
Ralph

... and I bet you will break the small M4 bolt which holds the engine side cover in the rear wing ;)

Thread cut tool M5 plus 4mm drill and a fitting stainless steel screw with large washer recommended.

http://www.mgfcar.de/defects/disassembled1.jpg
http://www.mgfcar.de/defects/screw4wheelhcover.jpg

Good luck
Dieter
Dieter K.

All,

Many thanks for the advice, much appreciated! If I read it correctly:

I remove the engine bay cover to access the the top of the cam belt and then remove the off-side wheel to access to the lower cam belt cover. Then release the engine mounting at one point only, no need to do both, to access the belt tensioner. Before refitting the engine mounting bracket ensure that I add tension to the belt. Change alternator belt and cam belt tensioner at the same time.

Parts needed: alternator belt, cam belt and tensioner! and maybe an M4 bolt ;-)!

Magic, just thought clarification might help if anyone looked this up in the archives later. If i've missed anything then please let me know. Cheers again.

Rob

Sounds easier then it really is ;)
Never did myself the change. So I better shut up.

Anyone else to confirm ?
Dieter K.

Having seen a professional MG mechanic gain access to the engine, (using an air powered socket wrench etc.) I would guess that the "Donkey work" you are saving equates to about 10 minutes of his time.

I would also take advice from the sign on the workshop wall at MG workshops in melbourne which reads:

repair work $50-00 per hour
if you watch $70-00 per hour
if you help $90-00 per hour
if you touched it beforehand $100-00 per hour

An expensive 10 minutes labour.

Phil Stafford

I had my cam belt changed last month on a VVC, both cam belts, alt. belt and tensioner Ģ225. Took him about 3-4 hours. He hadn't done an F before, said it was easy but fiddly.
Richard

And donīt forget to fit the "engine life-saver" type of bolts for the cam-wheels.Do NOT re-use the old bolts and secure the new ones with a dab of thread-lock. Mike has them as a set for the VVC.

BR, Carl.

Carl Blom

This thread was discussed between 01/09/2003 and 03/09/2003

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