Timing belt replacement, the Russian way

[claymore]

Has anyone heard of or used this method?

[Volvostorm]

Is there suppose to be a link?

[claymore]

Is there suppose to be a link?

No link.

The Russian way is to slacken off the tensioner slightly then cut the old timing belt in half along it's length, remove the outer half then slide the new belt on, once the new belt is half way on, cut the rest of the old belt off, slide the new belt all the way on and retighten the tensioner, job done, no need for cam locking tools or any special equipment.

[AndysR]

Never heard of that and tbh I don't think it's something I'd adopt on such an important job going by the way it sounds.. lol

[claymore]

Never heard of that and tbh I don't think it's something I'd adopt on such an important job going by the way it sounds.. lol

A lot safer than relying on timing marks

[Volvostorm]

I've heard of that method, never seen it done though

[Al115]

Sounds clever.

[woody]

What a simple idea! lol love it!

[claymore]

And this is how to change a Beetle fan belt

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQhfcdQf1QA&feature=player_embedded[/ame]

[Volvostorm]

I tried that once, it hurt!!!!

[Kingsford G]

Ones u alighn the marks before removing old one if u not a numpty u just paint mark al pulleys and fit a new one on.Iwouldn`t use that metod anyway.

[Bigrobv70]

have seen this method used on a vaux v6 vectra
worked well to be fair but of course no bearings on anything were checked as all ways had a belt on them

not a method i would use to be fair

Rob

[merc85]

Ive seen it done that way before, But tbh think it's better done the right way, dont forget the Hydrolic tension can become weak, also the idler's etc can become worn and seize.

Better to replace with a Good oem kit to be on the safe side.

[claymore]

Ones u alighn the marks before removing old one if u not a numpty u just paint mark al pulleys and fit a new one on.Iwouldn`t use that metod anyway.

When you've done as many as I have, You see some nightmares,some cars don't even have timing marks to start with (HSR chevette springs to mind) so would you rather pull the engine out of a 20v fiat or slide a new belt on, I know which one I did

[claymore]

I wouldn't use this method on the Volvo, as our cars are a piece of pi$$ to do anyway

[Kingsford G]

When you've done as many as I have, You see some nightmares,some cars don't even have timing marks to start with (HSR chevette springs to mind) so would you rather pull the engine out of a 20v fiat or slide a new belt on, I know which one I did

There is always a way around it.Also how do u know how many c/belts I`ve done?

[claymore]

There is always a way around it.Also how do u know how many c/belts I`ve done?

I agree, there is always more than one way to do it, and this is another , I didn't question how many belts you've changed, but I know I've done a few hundred. I'v only used the Russian method a couple of times.

[Kingsford G]

Never heard of it before but I suppose it is down to a personal choice really.

[t5 pete]

Do people know the way of changing it with out taking the bottom pully off

[Kingsford G]

Do people know the way of changing it with out taking the bottom pully off

Depends on a car but I mean its only 4 little bolts to undo.