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MG MGF Technical - Cambelt Replacemernt

I have an mgf 1996 on 62000km.
Do I have to replace the cambelt, which one do I need?
Is it difficult to do?

Thanks

Craig
Craig

The cambelts are due for replacement at 5 years or 60,000 miles, whichever is the sooner.
There are two types depending on the tensioner, yours should have a manual tensioner being that early.
Not that difficult to do but then again I end up doing them weekly in my job. You'll need a camshaft locking tool, a normal socket set and tools and maybe a second set of hands when putting the new belt back on!.
Steve T

Craig I would get it done ASAP it's not just the km's but time as well if the belt gets brittle it snaps and then a huge expense compared to a few hundred dollars.
Andrew Regens

It's with the manual tensioner and affiliated cam belt i.e. Gates 5238XS (23mm wide).

... I'd hurry with it if I were you.
btw. It's almost the tensioner that fails. Less often the belt.
see aswell
http://www.gates.com/europe/index.cfm?location_id=3622
Dieter

How easy is it or isn't it to change...

Would you be looking at dropping the engine out or have you guys found a way of getting round that?
R Baker

No need to drop the engine,
first, remove the bottom pulley either by clamping it or removing the starter motor (a Pain!) and locking the flywheel, you will need a long extension on your socket as its done up to 205Nm. next take the cambelt covers off undo the tensioner - a mirror on a stick would be usefull to see what your doing, support the engine with a Jack (with some wood to protect the sump)undo the engine mounting bolts, gently lower the engine enough to slip out the old belt and the new one in. if vvc you will need a cam locking tool - Motor Parts direct and others sell a Draper K16 one for £3.03.
Mind your Knuckles.
I Wills

Hi! All.

I have a 2001 F bog standard 1800. It has now done
56k, so a cambelt change is due in 4,000 miles.
Is it just the cambelt or are there other bits and bobs you need to look at when changing it. Any idea of cost and if there is a kit, can you recommend who
might supply it.

Regards - Bill Pearson Reg H1 2 BSP seen mainly around Northampton
W.A. Pearson

With the help of a mechanic friend of mine, we changed the cam belt on my wife's 1999 LE VVC that has 21K on the clock. The main problem was taking off the bottom pulley - we tried brakes, in gear, screwdriver in the flywheel, etc. In the end I purchased a flywheel locking tool made by Sealey (£35+ doh) removed the starter motor and used the tool. Fitting the tool from where the starter motor was removed was a real pain. When putting things back together we noticed that there is a small removal piece of metal sheet the other end of where the starter motor lies that gives a lot easier access to the flywheel.

Whilst doing the cam belt and the engine exposed, the VVC belt, alternator belt, VVC bolts, spark plugs, air and fuel filter were replaced. Full 60K 5 year service! I can recommend Rimmer Brothers who supplied genuine MG Rover parts in a service kit - plugs, air, oil and fuel filter for £50 plus p&p.

Hope the cam belt change on my ZR 160 (due in 18 months) will be less of a problem - at least I have the flywheel locking tool!
JM Poston

I bought my bits from Satur's front and back cam belts (check their web site for prices) and a cam belt saver bolt set. As described before I made a clamp to go around to aircon belt drive on the front of the bottom pulley (not used on mine so not a problem if it got slightly gnarled)and clamped apart of the bracket to the subframe. It was a lot of hassle but less than taking out the starter motor and clamping the flywheel.
I Wills

This thread was discussed between 21/03/2006 and 02/04/2006

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