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MG MGF Technical - Cambelt on 1.8i (non VVC)

Hi,
I'm new to MGF ownership (I haven't actually picked it up yet)... and need some technical advice already!

Car is a '96 1.8i (non VVC), with aircon.

How do I go about changing the cam belt (and the ancillary belts)? Having not actually looked at the car closely yet I'm wondering how I gain access to the relevant parts? is it a difficult job? - The main inspiration for this work is due to a noisy belt tensioner needing replacement (is this a common problem? - the car only has 40k on the clock).

Is there anything else I need to know? Im hoping someone can share there experience!

Would it be worth having a garage do the work?

Thanks in advance!

Dave
Dave

you get access thru a pannel in the wheelarch, commonly the screw rusts up, you will also need a cam belt locking tool wich are about £10 (or if your local then you can borrow mine).

You also need to find some way to lock the crankshaft, the bolt on the end needs to come off at 210Nm.
Will Munns

Thanks Will,
Nice to know there is an access panel in the wheel arch - i've never owned a rear engine car before! - i'm a bit anxious about working on it!

Thanks for offering the cam-wheel locking tool, unfortunatly it looks like i'm part of the south-hants fraternity - so not local. I'll buy one next week instead.

Dave.


Dave

you will also need to access the top of the engine thru the panel under the rear screen.

Also you should get youreslf a copy of the lotus elise manual as it has the k-series manual inside. The lotus elise manual is downloadable for free but the link is at work, you can search for it now, or ill find it tomorrow.
Will Munns

The link will be in the archives - along with URLs for the MGF and TF workshop manuals (held on a French enthusiasts website).

Sorry I've lost the URL following a system crash, but it is there and easy to find :o) Dave, it is worth joining the site - its free and there is about 10 years of collective experience stored in the site's archive...
Rob Bell


http://www.brooke-kensington.co.uk/misc/Elise%20Service%20Manual%20-%20indexed.pdf

Will Munns

With a noisy belt tensioner you want ot do the job right now!

I've seen what remains of a Kseries engine after the belt tensioner has failed and it isnt a pretty sight!
Neil

Thanks guys,

I picked the car up today, and besides the tensioner being noisy, its a beauty.

I will be resting the car up now until I can get the tensioner fitted. Is it worth doing the water pump whilst im in there? The car has 35k on the clock.

Dave
Dave

Hi Dave, Its a tricky job, provided you have changed a Timing belt before its straight forward !!. Although you will need patience of a saint due to its location. A good quality allen key will be req for the tensioner bolt a "L" type allen key & means of leverage as its pretty tight. I changed mine 5000 miles ago the first double cam ive changed. Also a little mirror for timming pointers. Those little telescopic ones are handy :)
Dave Smyth 1

This thread was discussed between 01/12/2005 and 05/12/2005

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