the special tools available to aid changing of the cam belt are quite expensive

i have had the idea of locking the cam pullys with plastic tie racks has anyone got a better idea although i havent had time ti try it yet im waiting for the weather to improve

That might keep the cams in place but your still missing the tool to time them properly ;)

There is more to the kit than locking cams.

It CANNOT be done without the proper kit - anyone who claims otherwise is full of shit. End of.


Its not like many other cars, just needing a wedge to lock the cams.

hi mr mowerman got same problem (no locking kit) allready bought cam kit and have been stongly advised not to do without locking kit. i went to local dealers today told them  my problem ,they are now fitting  labour charge only £125 at least i will have piece of mind :y

I'd rather fit the belt without a locking kit that entrust Vx with it!

Where are you MowerMan? There are plenty of members with locking kits dotted around.

does anyone have a kit  they dont want

I've got 2 kits but I want both of them! Where are you? If you are nearby you could borrow one of mine.

Mowerrman, please do NOT do not do this job without the locking kit as you could end up like me without a car after you have buggered the job up ( like a local gararge did with mine)

Have watched Daz do my 2.6 and borrowed a locking kit (cheers Cliff) to do my old 2.5 myself - NEVER to be attempted without imo.

If you don't fancy doing it yourself the best advice is to contact one of the guys on the site who offer the service - you will get it done right by an expert!  ;)

mowerman wrote on 29. Dec 2010 at 20:12:

the special tools available to aid changing of the cam belt are quite expensive i have had the idea of locking the cam pullys with plastic tie racks has anyone got a better idea although i havent had time ti try it yet im waiting for the weather to improve

fill your profile in with an aprox location & I'm sure that if anyone has one & lives local to you they would be willing to loan/hire you theirs!  ;)

Malcolm_D wrote on 29. Dec 2010 at 23:29:

Have watched Daz do my 2.6 and borrowed a locking kit (cheers Cliff) to do my old 2.5 myself - NEVER to be attempted without imo. If you don't fancy doing it yourself the best advice is to contact one of the guys on the site who offer the service - you will get it done right by an expert!  ;)

Spot on advice ignore it and face the music if the worst happens HTH

hi been trying for 2days on here to borrow locking kit in northeast  only got mr welung  and v6 cdx with offer but both to far away thats why ended up at dealers  :(

was souring some kit for myself as I may be doing this job on my meg and was looking at machinemart.co.uk . The link shows an inexpensive locking and timing kit which I believe can be used.  Does anyone have an opinion on how appropriate it is (quality etc).  They do an alternative kit which is far more expensive appx £200 - £340. :( :( :(

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/laser-3111-petrol-engine-locking-tool-set/path/automotive-tools

They are located nationwide and one should be relatively near to you.

Trust this helps

sotmh wrote on 30. Dec 2010 at 09:43:

was souring some kit for myself as I may be doing this job on my meg and was looking at machinemart.co.uk . The link shows an inexpensive locking and timing kit which I believe can be used.  Does anyone have an opinion on how appropriate it is (quality etc).  They do an alternative kit which is far more expensive appx £200 - £340. :( :( :( http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/laser-3111-petrol-engine-locking-tool-set/path/automotive-tools They are located nationwide and one should be relatively near to you. Trust this helps

I've no idea what engine that Machine Mart kit is for, but this is what you need for an Omega V6  :y

http://i.ebayimg.com/09/!B1NcKV!!Wk~$(KGrHqZ,!jgE)pVDnT3sBMdkEqrQNg~~_12.JPG

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/CRANKSHAFT-CAM-LOCKING-TOOL-KIT-SAAB-VAUXHALL-V6-/180561477671?pt=UK_Hand_Tools_Equipment&hash=item2a0a4d8027

sotmh wrote on 30. Dec 2010 at 09:43:

was souring some kit for myself as I may be doing this job on my meg and was looking at machinemart.co.uk . The link shows an inexpensive locking and timing kit which I believe can be used.  Does anyone have an opinion on how appropriate it is (quality etc).  They do an alternative kit which is far more expensive appx £200 - £340. :( :( :( http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/laser-3111-petrol-engine-locking-tool-set/path/automotive-tools They are located nationwide and one should be relatively near to you. Trust this helps

The product in the link is entirely unsuitable in this case...

Tony,have you seen the Forum dvd on cambelt change?Sorry but I find it difficult to understand how you could consider doing the job without the proper tool if you had :o

sorry fellas.  was at work and had very little time to explain.  However,  I was considering my meg (2.0) and could not be detailed about tools.

I was hoping once site accessed it could then be searched.

I have tried to contact manuafacturer of the tool I referred to (laser) but no answer via phone looked at site (laser.co.uk).  Still did not show what i saw.  Machine mart do the following for V6: 1. http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/laser-2835-engine-timing-tool-set-for-v-eng?da=1&TC=RV-040812835 2.  http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/laser-2835-engine-timing-tool-set-for-v-eng?da=1&TC=RV-040812835.

Hope this helps :-?

Nope, still wrong.

sotmh wrote on 30. Dec 2010 at 14:33:

sorry fellas.  was at work and had very little time to explain.  However,  I was considering my meg (2.0) and could not be detailed about tools. I was hoping once site accessed it could then be searched. I have tried to contact manuafacturer of the tool I referred to (laser) but no answer via phone looked at site (laser.co.uk).  Still did not show what i saw.  Machine mart do the following for V6: 1. http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/laser-2835-engine-timing-tool-set-for-v-eng?da=1&TC=RV-040812835 2.  http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/laser-2835-engine-timing-tool-set-for-v-eng?da=1&TC=RV-040812835. Hope this helps :-?

This Is the laser one for Gm V engines from machine mart, it's still expensive.
http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/laser-3302-engine-timing-set-for-gm-v6

Maybe search similar on gaybay or hire one from autovaux.

I would never buy the laser timing kit, they are well reknowned for being innacurate. Try your local hire shop (HSS, Speedie and the like).

chrisgixer wrote on 30. Dec 2010 at 14:43:

sotmh wrote on 30. Dec 2010 at 14:33: sorry fellas.  was at work and had very little time to explain.  However,  I was considering my meg (2.0) and could not be detailed about tools. I was hoping once site accessed it could then be searched. I have tried to contact manuafacturer of the tool I referred to (laser) but no answer via phone looked at site (laser.co.uk).  Still did not show what i saw.  Machine mart do the following for V6: 1. http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/laser-2835-engine-timing-tool-set-for-v-eng?da=1&TC=RV-040812835 2.  http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/laser-2835-engine-timing-tool-set-for-v-eng?da=1&TC=RV-040812835. Hope this helps :-? This Is the laser one for Gm V engines from machine mart, it's still expensive. http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/laser-3302-engine-timing-set-for-gm-v6 Maybe search similar on gaybay or hire one from autovaux.

Plus, I have never done a 4pot cam belt on an omega, but it's considered not necessary to use a locking kit on the 2.0 2.2 engine from what I've read.

chrisgixer wrote on 30. Dec 2010 at 14:47:

chrisgixer wrote on 30. Dec 2010 at 14:43: sotmh wrote on 30. Dec 2010 at 14:33: sorry fellas.  was at work and had very little time to explain.  However,  I was considering my meg (2.0) and could not be detailed about tools. I was hoping once site accessed it could then be searched. I have tried to contact manuafacturer of the tool I referred to (laser) but no answer via phone looked at site (laser.co.uk).  Still did not show what i saw.  Machine mart do the following for V6: 1. http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/laser-2835-engine-timing-tool-set-for-v-eng?da=1&TC=RV-040812835 2.  http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/laser-2835-engine-timing-tool-set-for-v-eng?da=1&TC=RV-040812835. Hope this helps :-? This Is the laser one for Gm V engines from machine mart, it's still expensive. http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/laser-3302-engine-timing-set-for-gm-v6 Maybe search similar on gaybay or hire one from autovaux. Plus, I have never done a 4pot cam belt on an omega, but it's considered not necessary to use a locking kit on the 2.0 2.2 engine from what I've read.

Yes no need on the desmonds. Set it to TDC, belt off, knock the crank anticlockwise 60 degrees, align the cams, return crank to TDC and fit the new belt. Once it's tensioned turn the engine over by hand (2 full revolutions of the crank) and re-check all the marks align correctly.

thanks everyone i have placed an order for a kit i have also ordered a dvd about it  i bought this car as a project car its no fun letting someone els do the work  i will let you no how i get on

Thanks for putting me straight on this one :y. I will put my hands up to being inexperienced.  Saw my mechanic do it when first purchased meg and thought I would be able to do it.  I have the usual manual, which I have been consuming,  but will get video from site as well.  ;D

sotmh wrote on 30. Dec 2010 at 20:46:

Thanks for putting me straight on this one :y. I will put my hands up to being inexperienced.  Saw my mechanic do it when first purchased meg and thought I would be able to do it.  I have the usual manual, which I have been consuming,  but will get video from site as well.  ;D

Thats what we're here for, to offer guidance and experience from the pitfalls we and others have fallen foul of :y

i have just recived the dvd about changing the cam belt very helpfull im just waiting for the locking kit to arrive

when the coolent is refiled is there away to clear air locks or is it not a problem on these cars
happy new year to everyone

mowerman wrote on 06. Jan 2011 at 22:31:

i have just recived the dvd about changing the cam belt very helpfull im just waiting for the locking kit to arrive when the coolent is refiled is there away to clear air locks or is it not a problem on these cars happy new year to everyone

Easy enough to clear any air in the system. Top the coolant up but leave the cap off, start up with the cabin heating on hi, full power. Once the needle moves off the bottom of the gauge burp (squeeze) the radiator and heater matrix pipes every minute or so until they are all warm and you have hot air in the cabin then replace the cap and job done :y

The cooling system is 'self bleeding', just run the engine without the expansion bottle cap until it gets hot, keep it topped up. Keep heater on full heat. It will help if you squeeze on the top radiator hose to burp out excess air.

Edit: bugger, too late again.