Belt change

[jcb 260]

Hi, Could anyone advise me what I will need as well as the belts for a cambelt change on a v8. The car has done 18k since the last belt change and has 50k on the clock. thanks

[jk1]

For starters, a service manual...

I'm assuming you are talking about what is needed to do the job yourself?

Changing the belt on a 4 cyl is pretty straightforward and can be done with basic shop tools by most anyone with decent mechanical knowledge.

A cambelt change on a V8 is a fairly complicated procedure requiring a thorough understanding of the job as well as specialized tools not the least of which is a Clavis gauge for setting the belt tension.

I would respectfully suggest if you are having to ask what is required to do the job that you would be best advised to leave that job to a professional since one seemingly minor error will have dire consequences....

Cheers,
Jim

>> Edited by jk1 on Sunday 23 April 14:04

[jcb 260]

What I wanted to know was on a belt change should the pulley idlers and tension pulleys be changed as well. thankyou

[teigan]

some of the parts have to come out, so inspect them. i found out from tim engel, i should have replaced the nylon bushing in the tensioner. i had mentioned on this forum the tensioner had a cheap looking part in it, but got the needed reply a few days too late. of course it wasn't mentioned anywhere in the service manual the part is a sacrificial intentionally soft material. i doubt an esprit owner could get by without help from other end users, because lotus is no help at all. when people gather around my car, i talk them out of buying an elise or exige.

[jcb 260]

Thanks for your reply, that is what I needed to know

[kmaier]

Cambelt service on the V8 is not trivial. As JK said, you need some special tools. Lotus recommend the belts and tensioners be replaced every 36K miles (or 4.5 years). The rest should be ok. I've done quite a few adjustments and a belt/tensioner change on my V8 (now over 65K miles) but I also have the bulk of the special tools, sans a Clavis gauge. I just can't justify the cost and manage fine by having a cassette tape with a test tone recorded on it. I just match the belt tension by ear (like tuning a guitar) and it's fine. If, after you read the entire procedure in the service notes, do not feel completely comfortable doing the job, do not attempt it.

Regards, KM
2000 V8

[jcb 260]

Many thanks KM, Does the tensioners come complete or Kit form?

[atgnat]

in my opinion, you really need a clavis took to do this. if you are a little wrong, you junk your heads. you also need the cam key, and freeze pins. the service is only about $400, and if a dealership gets it wrong, they clean up the mess.

[kmaier]

Not sure what you mean by a cam key... but I'll politely disagree on the clavis gauge as I've done 4 services plus a belt/tensioner replacement (tensioners are complete as a single p/n). I've also seen several V8 engines where the belts were flapping in 12K miles so I now do cambelt service every 10K miles. I replaced my original belts/tensioners at 42K so they should easily last 40K miles.

Regards, KM
2000 V8

[ctm]

i thought i might have seen slemish behind that car len
you keeping busy?

[jk1]

kmaier said:

Not sure what you mean by a cam key... Regards, KM 2000 V8

I think he was referring to the crankshaft positioner tool...

How's it going KM, hope all is well.

JK

[jcb 260]

Hi CTM, Location top sercet hence no slemish

[jcb 260]

Thanks for the info KM, just curious to know where you got the tape with the proper tone

[kmaier]

I've been involved in audio since the early 60's and use WaveLab, ProTools, etc. frequently. I just used WaveLab to generate some test tones and recorded to tape.... very simple stuff.

I think the reference for the cam positioner tool is for the early V8 engines... there is a cam sensor on the right bank inlet cam. Early V8 engines had the timing disc (a half circle) bolted to the camshaft and required a tool to align it properly. Newer V8 engines has the disc permanently attached as part of the camshaft, hence no tool required anymore.... kinda forgot about that.

JK, doing well down here... traveling too much however. Do keep Mike X inline with his Elise ;-)

Regards, KM
2000 V8