Diagnosis and Part Selection Advice:
How did you know this part needed replacement? Why did you choose a certain brand/part number?
Timing belt replacement based on milage since last replacement. I chose this belt due to price.
Part Comments
What came in the box? Were additional nuts, bolts, sealant, etc. needed for the repair?
This was belt only - you can get away with belt only, but I chose to replace the cam oil seals, ps/waterpump/fan/aircon belts, water pump, thermostat, thermostat gasket, timing belt pulley, woodruff key, valve cover gaskets.
Repair / Installation tips:
Special tools needed? Have to remove other parts to reach this one? Any left-hand threads, sharp edges, messy fluids or other pitfalls to avoid?It will take a few hours to get down to the timing belt if you have never done it before (as I haven't); a lot of minor dis-assembly. This timing belt does NOT come with the timing marks which the OEM belt comes with. If you put the "dotted line" on any valley, the next solid line comes at 40 valleys and the timing gear (crankshaft) line 43 valleys after that. The tooth count is critical. The "don't turn cams or crank engine" is a worthless piece of advice; taking off the valve covers and releasing the rocker tension makes the entire process much easier and your chances of success much higher. You will also be able to see the amount of sludge in the top end and have another data point for valve job requirements.
If you anticipate doing a valve job, but the seal kit (got mine on ebay) instead of piece meal gaskets. If no valve job in your future, you can actually do this job without breaking any seals.
If you are happy/confident with your timing, cut the old belt in half along it's length and slide the new belt on (keeping the tooth count with the old), once the new belt is half on, cut the rest of the old belt off and complete installation.
