It's cambelt time again

[AlfaJack]

This time it is firm engraved in my mind that the crank bolt is left hand thread (despite the arrow in the manual).

I need a quick reminded on the bits I need. I am planning to leave the balancer belt off this time and see how it goes but I think I am right in saying that I need the balancer belt pulley (the one near the front of the engine) bearing as the cambelt backs on to it?

Order list:
Cambelt
Cambelt tensioner
Balance shaft pulley bearing
Aux belt
Air-con belt
PS belt

Have I missed anything?

Thanks,
Jack

[Steve Webb]

Miniature hands and knuckle plasters.

Seriously, doesn't look like you've missed anything.

How is your water pump? Not worth changing at the same time?

[Brul(tm)]

How is your water pump? Not worth changing at the same time?

I always did the waterpump to, no matter what.
Aren't there any auxillery belt tensioner for the airco belt?
I don't have airco (yet) so could be mistaking.

[the wombat]

Surgical gloves - extra layer of skin for this job!!!

[wrinx]

Do the water pump...mine thankfully failed with the warning of some steam, not worth risking if it's never been changed.

wrinx

[AlfaJack]

Look at you lot adding expense to my little project! OK will do. It failed about 4 years ago whilst out, a recovery truck later and it was back in the garage. Unfortunately it was a job that defeated me as I couldn't get the damn thing out! I know now that I just needed to drop the engine a bit to free it up.

[Steve Webb]

Time to bring back some Victorian values I say. Having an 8 year old helper with small hands would make some jobs like this so much easier.

[AlfaJack]

All ordered inc an SKF Water pump and cam cover gasket (at long last). He had a cheaper pump (by about £10) but it had a plastic impeller so I went with the metal one. Not keen on engine internals being plastic!

[Juan AR155Q4]

You can't leave the balancer shaft without the belt because you need to look the balancer shaft. It'll be turned by the bearing where the camblet backs on.

[Steve Webb]

Where did you get it all from Jack?

[AlfaJack]

Thanks Juan. That is a shame. I know you can buy a removal kit but I have been told (even by a Lancia mechanic to just leave the belt off). What is the best method to lock the front balance shaft?

Steve - I got it all from Alternative Autos - they don't have a website...I spoke to them at some length about this but they just are not in to it as they do alright as they are. I think he thought I was telling him to get a fully fledged e-commerce site so I just recommended a homepage with contact details as I had trouble finding their number again.

[AlfaJack]

If the car is running on Sunday night I will be astounded!

[Steve Webb]

Crikey that was a quick delivery. If you speak with them again ask if they want a free advert on the site.

[AlfaJack]

Will do. Cheers Steve. Yup, seems the standard with the likes of them and AlfaShop etc - £10 and it is with you next morning.

[AlfaJack]

Found the answer to locking the balance shafts courtesy of Guy Croft.
http://www.guy-croft.com/viewtopic.php?p=8011#p8974

My dad kindly made this for me - I promptly destroyed it but letting the pulley turn as I used the torque wrench on it - he said he will do another!





Other pics from todays surgery:




PS Pump relocated lower down the bracket

More space:

[AlfaJack]

It is done and drove it back to my place under its own steam. I am not entirely happy as the lack of a balance belt really is noticeable under acceleration. When cruising it is fine. I think I can live with it. However, there is also a squeal under acceleration too which needs investigating. Nice to get the PS pump moved and the AC gone. Simplifies things a bit.

[Steve Webb]

Glad you got it all sorted Jack, still got the skin on your knuckles?

What sort of vibration is it with the lack of balance shafts, and just how bad is it?

Also did you get rid of anything in the cabin of the car when you removed the AC pump? Have you got rid of the AC rad as well?

[AlfaJack]

No skin left.
It is best described as a harshness to the engine. It does shake or anything but feels less re-fined and for a largely un-refined engine it is noticeable.

No other changes with regards to AC yet - I never installed that rad I bought off you about 7 years ago before you moved and decided it is unlikely that I will. I just need to remove the canister now and the pipes.

[Steve Webb]

I never installed that rad I bought off you about 7 years ago before you moved and decided it is unlikely that I will.

I'd forgotten that was you, I hope you're not after a refund

[Steve Webb]

Looks like I'll be talking to Alternative Autos next week, the Q4 (started her up today for the first time in ages) needs a full belt change before I bring it back to the UK. Can't remember the last time the Aux belts got done so it looks like its gonna be all the tensioners and all 5 belts.
The question is, are all the belts and tensioners the same as the Fiat coupe 16vt?

[AlfaJack]

Yup pretty sure they are. Give them the last 8 digits of the chassis number and they will match it all up.

[Steve Webb]

Right thats all ordered, time to say goodbye to all the skin on my knuckles!

[wrinx]

Did you order a water pump too?

wrinx

[Steve Webb]

Already got one (metal impeller) in the garage waiting to go in. Good job as well as the current one is grumbling and appears to be dripping water down onto the crank pulley!!

[Steve Webb]

Everything is here now, I've got a free Sunday coming up, so it looks like I'll be back on the road soon. Can't wait.....to find all those other little niggles as well.