Saab 2.5 v6 Timing belt

[The Moog]

I need to service the Saab 900 convertible. Its a 2.5 v6.

 

The alternator belt is grumbly at start up and unknown timing belt.

 

How hard is the belt to do on these? Got lots of tools but no locking pins.

 

Am I better off chucking money at garage to do belts and investigate alternator?

[saucedoctor]

Looks a right fuckin 'mare, Moog. There's 2 types as well, "with raised outer edge on tensioner pulley" and "without raised outer edge on tensioner pulley.

 

 

 

[twosmoke300]

Same as the v6 vectra I assume . But of a twat and special tools recommended.

[gadgetgricey]

Belt had been done just before I purchased the car, so time wise may be an issue but you'll be nowhere near the mileage limit.

 

Cheers

 

Dave 

[dave21478]

If its the same as the Vauxhall one, its a piece of piss. Well, maybe not quite that easy, but its certainly possible to DIY without special tools. Beware though that there are two eccentric idler rollers that are NOT to tighten the belt but to adjust the timing between the two banks. Getting these set right is crucial to getting full power and smoothness for the engine. Also be aware that an average garage may well not know about this and just lash them on any old way....this wont harm the engine but it will be a little rough at idle and perhaps lack a small amount of power at higher rpm.

 

Locking tools are for puffs....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The textbook obviously talks about using the special tools, but there are enough original timing marks to do this without them.

[twosmoke300]

And a bottle of Timex?

[r.welfare]

The Omega Owners Forum used to do a really useful DVD of how to change the V6 belt.  Something like £3.  It's going to be tighter for access on the Saab due to the transverse installation, but on the plus side it should be easier to see the bottom of the crank pulley to get the timing right.  That's the bit I struggled with on the Omega.

 

Dave21478, I like that idea of using molegrips to keep the cams in the right place.  I suppose the other way you could do it is with spanners on the cams themselves and then wire them together or tie them down to something nearby.

[The Moog]

Cheers guys. Dave didn't realise it had been done. Might just ignore it for a year then.

[dave21478]

 

 

Dave21478, I like that idea of using molegrips to keep the cams in the right place.  I suppose the other way you could do it is with spanners on the cams themselves and then wire them together or tie them down to something nearby.

 

 

Go gently with them...just tight enough to stop movement. If you wang them on really tight you can bend or even break the cam pulley.

[Rusty_Rocket]

Go gently with them...just tight enough to stop movement. If you wang them on really tight you can bend or even break the cam pulley.

 

Yes.. I witnessed a lad crack a cam pulley once  when using mole grips to hold it steady.

 

I used to do the VX C/X25XE's without the tools (which are quite comprehensive..)  Never had any problems that way but it's easier with the kit.  Beware- the Vauxhall idler pulleys changed spec a few times, not sure if the SAAB application had the same issues.