Timing belt change

[captainTeeBag]

I am due for a timing belt change in the next couple of weeks and just had a few concerns of like to put to rest. I'll be buying the timing belt kit with seals etc from meek along with a water pump and hydraulic tensioner if needed. I have a cc gsr with Aus spec vr4 conversion.
Does the vr4 waterpump fit due to conversion or do I need to order Evo 1-3? My guess was vr4?
Are the gates racing belts necessary? It's a street car and is driven mostly with love just curious if the extra $110.00 is justifiable? Meek also sell the tools so do i need to buy these for my mechanic to use???And my biggest concern is how long should it take a mechanic to do this job with engine in car???Obviously I'll ask for the seals to all be changed etc so really just want to make sure I'm not getting ripped off

 

[captainTeeBag]

Also does anyone in brissy know of a workshop with experience doing these???as from what I've read online 4g63's can be difficult to do properly and sounds almost like a Mitsi specialist would be ideal???

 

[Gianni]

Takes me about 1.5 hours to change water pump and timing belt on my 63t (vr4) no special tool is needed, just put tensioner in a vice and shove a pin through it. I use a small rivet

If its a vr4 motor. Use a vr4 water pump. Evo ones are different.

Timing belts are crucial. So it's worth paying for a good quality one

 

[SMW]

Try
Neal Lowe Motorsports Pty Ltd (NA Motorsport and engineering)
21 Brennan St
Slacks Creek
Ph : Nick on 07 3808 3048
21 Brennan St
S
Contact: Nick Ashwin
tel/fax: (07) 3808 3048

 

[BMGTZ]

cheap source for belt
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/320972654253?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

 

[4piknup]

Use the/a long altenator bolt to compress the tensioner. no need to remove the tensioner. Just turn it in slowly.

 

[evo-gsr]

VFAQ has a comprehensive DIY on this topic....Follow it and you will have no dramas..its easy to do it yourself if your handy with tools and can read :thumbsup:

 

[omad]

I wouldn't use the term "easy" so loosely with this job. IMO it's a shitty job and one I hate doing. VFAQ is very helpful though and you can always print out the pages from the VR4 manual (be be bit different because of conversion but more similar than an evo). Also believe there is less room on a cc conversion than in a VR4 bay so it's a bit more tricky (though I own a VR4 so don't quote me on that).

To be completely honest,though... if your mechanic needs your help to get the job done etc, I probably wouldn't be taking it there. Timing belts aren't one of those things you want to take any chances on.

Also, most of the people I've known with 4g's have just used the regular dayco/gates timing belts and had no issues, myself included. The racing one is a pretty blue colour though ;P

 

[nigel_a]

you have a pm

 

[evo-gsr]

^^ Lol... Nothing was being used " loosely " .
Its not that hard if you know what you are doing.

 

[BMGTZ]

not a fun job in a CC.....but it is easier if you lower the front of the engine

Just doing the tensioner adjustment on an engine stand took me half an hour today to get the right feel.....I hate doing them in the car so change the belts each time the engine is out if it has done over 50k kms

 

[Gianni]

It a lot worse in a cb. Even less room. I don't mind the cc

 

[omad]

^^ Lol... Nothing was being used " loosely " .
Its not that hard if you know what you are doing.

I still hate doing it =P I'd rather swap a diff or change suspension at all 4 corners, that's easy =P

 

[captainTeeBag]

So should 3hrs labour cover it start to finish? In car we are talking

 

[captainTeeBag]

That would be to change both belts all bearings seals and hydraulic tensioner etc. a proper job not a half arsed job

 

[clone]

3 hours max i would say. someone who knows what they are doing can do it in about an hour

 

[khubner1]

did mine in 1 1/2 hours in car realy took me longer but i messed up the timing preety bad. thes first time. just make sure you got the cam locker set in place so the cams don't move if the cams move getting that timing right is a pitta.

 

[captainTeeBag]

I think doing it myself would be foolish..lol...good on you guys that do I just can't afford a rebuild if it goes pear shaped on me but thanks for all the info

 

[Gianni]

He he. Just don't crank it till its right

Make sure balancer is in the right way not 180 deg out
Use cable ties to hold belt on camgears
Make sure all markers line and and belt is tight
Turn over 3 times making sure it all lines up again (balancer will be out each time until the 3rd time it'll be lining up)

 

[captainTeeBag]

Have spoken to 3 mechanics all experienced in doing belts in these. 5hrs labour is roughly the average and all of them recommended genuine Mitsubishi water pump at around the $380.00 mark. Nick at Neil Lowe quoted me $1600.00 to do the job inc parts. I know it's not a job so skimp on but is this price on the high side or pretty good?