Timing belts and water pumps

[drewd]

I've a new to me 56 plate 307 1.6 HDI, and I've no clue when the belt was done. From my brief internet research it would appear to be time consuming but perfectly diy-able to do the belt myself. I've done cambelts on 8v petrol VAG based stuff before, but never on a Peugeot nor a diesel.

 

I'm thinking I should buy a well respected brand, Gates or similar, but what about the water pump? Which brands are good, and which should be avoided? My main concern with cheap pumps being the bearings crapping themselves and doing nasty things to the belt.

 

It would appear I need to remove the engine mount too, anyone know if I'd need new bolts for this?

[bigfella2]

Just buy a reputable kit that comes with a pump.

[Junkman]

I second buying a kit.

 

The bolts for the engine mount can be reused.

[drewd]

Thanks, I'll order the Gates kit with pump, and reuse the bolts.

[bigfella2]

What you will find with all the decent kits there are two manufacturers of bearing and a couple of manufacturers of belts.

 

I recently bought an ina cambelt kit, as ina make the bearings and tensioners for most kits but don't make the belts, so even though it says ina on the belt it is probably made by continental or gates.

 

But if you buy a continental kit, the belt is made by continental but the bearings and tensioner will be made by ina, but will cost considerably more, even though they are essentially the same kit.

 

This is just an example as skf also make bearings and tensioners too and are a good brand.

[drewd]

Thanks, that's why I started this thread. The big players in belt manufacturing are easy to identify, but the kits don't specify who makes the bearings for the tensioner or water pump. I know from experience that cheap bearings don't last, so wanted to avoid inadvertently buying poor quality parts.

 

If all the branded kits use decent bearings it makes life easier, I'll order a known brand and hope for the best.

[twosmoke300]

Never had any problems with the gates complete kits

[Rusty_Rocket]

Is it even possible to buy a timing belt that isn't fit for purpose?  Every one I see looks exactly like the other, bar the markings/ brand name.  Do the far East copy these things now using a mixture of Chinese silver grass and bamboo?

[rainagain]

I did mine recently

http://autoshite.com/topic/31359-307sw-timing-belt-changed/page-5

 

I got the timing belt kit (Ina) and the crankshaft oil seal for £54 delivered from carparts4less

 

Don’t buy a circoli water pump, that’s the only pump I’ve ever bought that failed within two years of fitting. Weirdly it didn’t leak I only knew it failed as I the timing belt started smacking off the covers as the bearing had collapsed.

[drewd]

You'd think that belts would all be the same, but tales of belts snapping prematurely would suggest otherwise.

 

Thanks for that, I'll take a look at your thread. I've found a Gates kit with pump for about £82 delivered from Amazon, which seems to be the going rate.

 

Edit:

Funny you should mention the Circoli pump. I had found the belt and pump kit from CarParts4less ebay shop for under £80, I nearly bought it, then questioned if it was wise to save a few quid here. For the sake of a fiver I'll get the Gates kit and be done with it.

[bigfella2]

Autodoc work out cheap if your buying quite a few items to cover the postage and aren't in quite a rush.

[Tamworthbay]

I used an INA kit on the V70, seemed good quality and all the bearings were stamped and Japanese made according to marks.

[Rusty_Rocket]

INA/ SKF bearings always used to be the best quality.

[drewd]

I've used INA and SKF bearings in the past when I've replaced bearings in pulleys as I was too tight to buy the whole assembly when just the bearing needed replacing. My local bearing specialist recommended those brands and I've experienced no name wheel bearings lasting weeks or a couple of months before grumbling again so would rather pay a bit more and not have to pull it apart again.

 

Autodoc have an SKF kit for about £10 less than the Gates one I've found. I'll look into them, cheers.

[junkyarddog]

I fitted an SKF timing belt kit to my Mondeo,

Had everything needed including a new crankshaft bolt.

[Parky]

Cuz did my Cambelt on the Leon. Ended up using a Gates belt, tensioner, and a Hepu pump. Apparently they are pretty good quality. Also had a brass impeller which is probably preferable to a plastic one.

 

Probably not the cheapest way of doing it but I ended up with decent stuff under the bonnet so won’t have to worry too much for a few years (fingers crossed)

[bigfella2]

Autodoc have an SKF kit for about £10 less than the Gates one I've found. I'll look into them, cheers.

Just wait till it gets to the 24% discount.

[sierraman]

SKF aren’t cheap but they tend to last particularly for bearings. INA quite good as well, fitted their idler pulleys before no bother.

[theshadow]

are just stick to timing chain motors,changing belts only ever do belts,never waterpumps,unless its leaking,waterpumps from ecp are shite.. :-o

[drivewaymyway]

I tend to buy genuine, discounted on ebay, just keep looking the parts do come up, I have found the water pumps are the weak spot for me, there are loads of different brands, not much information on them, the top brands are worth spending on, or genuine.. Citroen use different brands of water pump in their kits, WP is listed as a genuine part number. The Water pump is generally a PITA to change which is why t's done at the same time but I have had to change a water pump because it was leaking shortly after doing the cam belt which makes it one of those.. change out a working pump 'just n case' or change it when it breaks..