Quad cam timing belt

keithsfleet

Have a V6 quad cam that needs the tensioner and belt replaced.

I've never done a timing belt before but consider myself to be extremely competent having done considerably bigger jobs on cars before.

My question, is it lunacy to pop my cherry on a quad cam?
Should also mention that there isn't much space to work in the engine bay, just to add to the difficultly.

firefly08

Timing belts are not usually hard to do at all imo. It is a job where you always want to follow the proper factory procedure, use the right locking tools and tensioning procedure etc. But as long as you can follow instructions, no reason at all not to do it yourself. The first time I did one the most complicated thing I had done before that was an oil change.

It's not a job I'd ever tear into on any car without reading the whole procedure through first though. With all the different timing and tensioning procedures that different makes and models use, it's not a job to figure out as you go.

What car is it? On any quad cam engine I've seen the timing belt typically only drives 2 cams anyway, the other 2 are driven off internal chains connected to the belt driven ones. So the timing belt set up is typically no more complicated than a twin cam.

keithsfleet

Thanks for the reply.
It's a mitsubishi FTO.

As far as I can see all four cams are powered off the one belt.
I've read plenty of online guides but the last time I looked at one of these was freezing cold in the middle of winter and didn't fancy my chances in the car port....

firefly08

Yep you're right it does drive all 4 directly...well that just means you have more stuff to check the timing on, I don't think that would make it much harder. It also looks like the water pump is behind there too, might be a good idea to replace that while you're in there. That is usually the recommended thing on cars where the water pump is driven by the belt.

I've read plenty of online guides but the last time I looked at one of these was freezing cold in the middle of winter and didn't fancy my chances in the car port....

Haha yes I should add that when I did my first one it was in November, and it took me 2 full days, running back and forth between the laptop and the car in the driveway. I was pretty worn out after 2 days out in the cold. Gave me a new found respect for the lads that do it for a living...although they usually have a garage, I bet most of them have scraped freezing knuckles a few times

keithsfleet

It was the Waterpump that I wanted to change when I last looked at it as it was leaking about 2 years ago.
The car was of the road for a few months as I wasn't willing to put any money into it but the OH decided she wanted it so I relieved her of a few hundred and done the few jobs it needed, starter motor, cat, rear shocks and front springs.
But while I was under it I had a look at the pre tensioner and it wobbles a good bit so would be a good idea to change it. Plus the fact it's on its current TB about 100k...

I'm off work next week and figure while the weather is still semi decent I should do it.
Would kill for a decent garage....or any covered area where I don't have to squeeze between the car and walls.

You've given me the vote of confidence, will go get the locking tools on Friday.