K Timing Belt Change

[c7trp]

According to my garden its spring - so time to service the 7 before the sun comes out properly.

 

The engine is a standard 1.8, nearly 4 years old and has covered 41,000 miles.

 

So I reckon it needs a timing belt change.

 

I've seen past threads referring to the auto-tensioner as 'the devils spawn' 😳

 

So can I / should I replace the auto tensioner with a manual one? Can this be done easily?

 

What's the considered opinion?

 

Cheers

[Sheds Moderator]

AFAIK it's an easy swap. Get a tensioner for the earlier type and off you go. Oily will be able to help. If yours is the manual already, do give it a spin and check for roughness in the bearings.

[Englishmaninwales]

The cylinder head will require a new hole drilled and tapped to accept a manual tensioner. As BOSS says, go to Oily. If it is a manual tensioner already, change it when fitting a new belt, as it's cheap and failure is catastrophic.

[oilyhands]

The head will require two holes, I have a template I could scan an mail you. TBH the auto tensioner is OK for stock and SS cams, anything hotter requires a manual tensioner. It may be expedient to retain the auto tensioner, but it is worth linishing the plastic roller on a belt linisher to even out the uneven surface.

 

Oily

[c7trp]

Cheers All

 

The car is standard at the moment, so I can reasonably stay with the auto-tensioner.

 

I can feel a upgrade coming on though...