Hi, I am putting V6 engine together again after head gasket replacement. My Haynes manual tells me how to refit and tension the belt without the very expensive special tools, but says darkly 'take vehicle to your nearest Vauxhall dealer at the earliest opportunity'. Has anyone any advice about about being able to set the timing without doing either? I am also balking at having to replace a perfectly good timing belt because the timing marks are no longer visible. It was fitted with new pulleys etc. only 17k miles ago. Is it not possible to do the timing without them?

vauxhall belts now don't have any markings on them - this is due to the various types of belts for different V6 engines so as the belts are all the same length they now only have to stock one belt - much harder to fit without the markings on though.

usually you can still make out the markings especially on a belt that has done 17k - my advice is to buy one from a local parts place - use it as a guide to re- mark your original belt then take it back and get a refund.

do recommend using the proper tools though

www.v6technicians.co.uk

You need the tool to be able to do the timing properly. OOF sells an excellent DVD if you have any doubts. Also a torque wrench.

Frequency of change is 4 years or 40k miles whichever comes first. Not worth cutting corners on cost of a belt. I trust you are changing the tensioner too? (pulley?)  Also a good idea to change the water pump while in there depending on when (if ever) it was last done.

Thanks for the replies. OOF?

Ewan wrote on 03. Sep 2011 at 17:50:

Thanks for the replies. OOF?

Omega Owners Forum - this forum - click Shop tab at top  :y

Never wise to change the cambelt without the locking tool!  Can prove rather expensive if it goes back wrong.
If you ask, someone local may either help you, lend you or sell you a locking tool.

If in doubt, ask  :y

There are people on here who have changed hundreds of v6 cambelts and they all agree that it should never be attempted without the proper locking/setting tools.They can be hired from autovaux or borrowed from members on here.
If you put your location in your profile there may be someone near you who can assist. ;)

Thanks very much again. That's very useful.

DONT DO IT.

As has been said, advise where you are and someone near to you can help out with a rental possibly. It's usual to want a deposit in case you do a runner - which would obviously be returned when the kit was safely returned. You will also need a 32mm deep offset ring spanner - as it happens I have one of those also if you are interested.

Lincs Robert wrote on 04. Sep 2011 at 08:45:

DONT DO IT. As has been said, advise where you are and someone near to you can help out with a rental possibly. It's usual to want a deposit in case you do a runner - which would obviously be returned when the kit was safely returned. You will also need a 32mm deep offset ring spanner - as it happens I have one of those also if you are interested.

No its a 30mm  :y

dbug wrote on 04. Sep 2011 at 14:01:

Lincs Robert wrote on 04. Sep 2011 at 08:45: DONT DO IT. As has been said, advise where you are and someone near to you can help out with a rental possibly. It's usual to want a deposit in case you do a runner - which would obviously be returned when the kit was safely returned. You will also need a 32mm deep offset ring spanner - as it happens I have one of those also if you are interested. No its a 30mm  :y

Sorry my mistake!