Anyone done a cambelt change on Focus 1.6 "51" plate (1.6SE engine)? Was looking to change belt and it's tensioners and water pump. Undecided if to buy the tools and do it myself or work a days overtime and let someone else have the hassle!

never done one, but I understand they are a bit of a PITA as none of the pulleys have keys to locate them
(unlike the 1.8 / 2.0 ones have a 1 key on the crankshaft)

I've done loads. Be very careful with the crank pulley as it is only held in place by a taper. You will probably need to use an air gun to get the crank pulley bolt off. The cams are held in place with a flat metal bar which slots in the end of the cams. You will also need to loosen the cam pulleys (also on a taper with no key) to get the timing correct. Loads of people don't bother doing this which can lead to running problems.

I did it recently after replacing my engine due to a cambelt failure. Search on my username and Focus Engine for more details.

You can make the special tools (crank and camshaft locking tools) and the lack of keys in all of the pulleys actually makes it easier to get a good alignment when re-assembling.

HOWEVER the biggest 'pain' is when removing or replacing the crankshaft pulley and it's retaining bolt. It's a "torque+angle" design: meaning it has to be replaced everytime and it is tightened VERY tight.

The crankshaft locking tool does hold the crank but, when loosening and tightening the bolt, I always felt it was all a bit 'on the edge' and I worried it would either break the special tool or the crankshaft itself!! It didn't and I did get the job done - the car has now done >3000 miles.

^^^DO NOT DO THIS^^^

Sorry but i've seen this done and it can go horribly wrong. If you flick the starter and the pulley loosens enough you may find a valve through a piston! The best way is with an air gun.

[Edited on 7/2/11 by Davegtst]

I had the whole engine out on the garage floor (I was replacing the whole unit after a cambelt failure). I loosened and retightened the crankshaft pulley bolt with a torque wrench/standard wrench and 1/2" drive socket plus the crank locking 'special' tool.

[Edited on 8/2/11 by JAG]

I think the message was refering to the post about using the starter to loosen the bolt, which now has gone.

Thanks for the advice so far.

Not you Justin. There was a post after yours saying undo the bolt using the starter motor. It has since been deleted so no-one makes this mistake.

Don't use the cam timing bar to lock the cams whilst undoing the cam pulley bolts, I've seen cams that have broken when this has been done . Make/borrow /buy a cam pulley holding tool .

Just to put the record straight I suggested flicking the starter motor but after Davegtst described the perils of doing so I pulled the post.
Sorry for the confusion.
Cheers, Pewe

Aaah Sorry

I've edited my previous post.

[Edited on 8/2/11 by JAG]

quote:

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Originally posted by rusty nuts
Don't use the cam timing bar to lock the cams whilst undoing the cam pulley bolts, I've seen cams that have broken when this has been done . Make/borrow /buy a cam pulley holding tool .

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