M20 Cambelt change approx cost or DIY?

Post Thu Mar 24, 2016 6:44 pm

I'm looking through the (patchy) service history of my car and the last cambelt change was at 60k in 2010.
Car has done 98k now.
The car has been serviced since (insp 1) but I don't
know if it was done. (I am contacting garage to ask them).
Anyhow how much would a Specialist charge to change
the cambelt? I am in NW England btw.
Is it a DIY job, I am not bad with the spanners, but do you need special tools etc.

Cheers Mike.

Post Thu Mar 24, 2016 6:46 pm

There's a guide in the wiki above but I've linked it -
http://www.e30zone.net/e30zonewiki/inde ... elt_Change

Post Thu Mar 24, 2016 7:12 pm

Easiest engine to change the cambelt on of any I know!
No special tools required - it could be done with just the tools in the standard E30 toolkit.

Post Thu Mar 24, 2016 8:00 pm

Incredibly easy to do. Stick in a new quality water pump while you are at it.

Post Fri Mar 25, 2016 12:02 am

Brianmoooore wrote:Easiest engine to change the cambelt on of any I know!

Pinto?

Ben

Post Fri Mar 25, 2016 12:53 am

BenHar wrote:
Brianmoooore wrote:Easiest engine to change the cambelt on of any I know!
Pinto?

Ben

Maybe - IF the front pulley co operates and doesn't require a puller, and it's not a late Pinto without a spring loaded tensioner.

Post Fri Mar 25, 2016 10:39 am

How much is the belt kit and water pump?
Water pump was replaced at 60k according to
service book.

Post Fri Mar 25, 2016 10:58 am

Just had a look on eBay and a Gates Kit is £50, water pump is around £30.
A day to fit it yourself DIY, no brainer really!
I'm driving to Cornwall with the Family in the Summer, so better get it done.
Thanks.

Post Fri Mar 25, 2016 11:46 am

along with the ZoneWiki, I used this DIY, it shows the TDC marks clearly which was handy as it was my first cam belt change, also shows the marks for when you take off the crank pulley.

http://e30performance.info/viewtopic.php?t=1855

this one is quite thorough too and shows camshaft seal replacement, which you will need a torx set for. couple helpful comments on the second page too:

http://www.e30tech.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1889

Post Fri Mar 25, 2016 1:20 pm

M3KUK wrote:Just had a look on eBay and a Gates Kit is £50, water pump is around £30.
A day to fit it yourself DIY, no brainer really!
I'm driving to Cornwall with the Family in the Summer, so better get it done.
Thanks.

Don't forget cost of new coolant.

Post Fri Mar 25, 2016 2:09 pm

Brianmoooore wrote:
BenHar wrote:
Brianmoooore wrote:Easiest engine to change the cambelt on of any I know!
Pinto?

Ben
Maybe - IF the front pulley co operates and doesn't require a puller, and it's not a late Pinto without a spring loaded tensioner.

True.

The great thing about the m20 is that you can take the front pulley off without undoing the crankshaft bolt.

Ben

Post Fri Mar 25, 2016 7:41 pm

BenHar wrote:
Brianmoooore wrote:
BenHar wrote: Pinto?

Ben
Maybe - IF the front pulley co operates and doesn't require a puller, and it's not a late Pinto without a spring loaded tensioner.
True.

The great thing about the m20 is that you can take the front pulley off without undoing the crankshaft bolt.

Ben

Ford CVH, plus a few Fiat and Renault engines spring to mind which are easier than an M20 not that an M20 is hard its just the engines mentioned need less parts to be removed to change the belt.