I'm about to do a timing belt change on the TL.

Can those people who have done a belt change on the 3.5l motor let me know if they jacked up the motor or did it on a hoist?

I'm just going to be doing in in my garage, but I've heard it's highly recommended to do it on a hoist or undo the engine mount and jack it up a bit?

Don't want to get halfway through the job and realise it's going to be too tight!

You have to take the engine mount off regardless.

The car doesnt have to be on a hoist but you will need to get the RH wheel off so the front has to be jacked up.

You have to take the engine mount off regardless.

The car doesnt have to be on a hoist but you will need to get the RH wheel off so the front has to be jacked up.

Yup.

And hope to god your alternator bolt is in the right way... :confused:
I did one where the bolt was in backwards, and so when you try to remove it, it hits the body. Had to cut it in half to remove it. :confused:

Ok, Can someone please help out with exactly what needs to be done to get access to the belt?

Do i need to take all the mounts off and jack the engine up? Or just remove the one directly above the timing belt cover?

The workshop manual is basically steps for an engine already out of the car.

take off the power and aircon belts
remove top engine mount.
bah too much.

lets say you will need alot of patients.
have you got a good jack 2tonne one.

unless you know what you are doing go for it.

Now this may not be totally correct, but it might be a step in the right direction. Not sure how much difference between the 3.0l and 3.5l

http://autofix.com.au/blog/archives/57

Matt

I'm starting to see why Mitsubishi and private mechanics want $400 - $500 to do this job. However, if i do it myself i know it's done properly.

Anyone else with any input (read confidence boost for me)?

However, if i do it myself i know it's done properly.


no offence man but id find a good mechanic if your only concern is it being done properly...

if your looking to safe a few $$$ then cool go for it yourself otherwise you cant beat a good mechanic

These timing belts look harder at first than they actually are.

Remove washer bottle, RH wheel , plastic trim behind wheel, engine mount, both external belts, p/s belt tensioner, crank pulley, timing covers and engine mount bracket. (alternator needs to be moved aside to access one of the bolts for bracket)

You may have a problem removing and retorquing the crank pulley at home. Requires rattle gun or breaker bar/pulley holder.

When fitting a new timing belt, cable ties are your friend. Use them on the cam gears.

If you're asking for a confidence boost champ, then maybe you shoulda let a mechanic do it.

I've done plenty of timing belts in all sorts of cars but with the Magna and Evo I'll pay to get them done... why??

If anything ever goes wrong... I've got something to fall back on... think warranty!!

If you're asking for a confidence boost champ, then maybe you shoulda let a mechanic do it.

I've done plenty of timing belts in all sorts of cars but with the Magna and Evo I'll pay to get them done... why??

If anything ever goes wrong... I've got something to fall back on... think warranty!!

And along with that, mention also needs to be made of specialist tools such as retainers and pullers that might be needed. You can't really do a bodgy job and moake do with these. Mechanics have the tools and expertise to avoid damaging your engine, whereas doing it yourself you might have to make do.

Older engines it doesn't really matter - I'm in the middle of a complete rebuild of my 2.2l OHC Peugeot engine, but won't touch my LIberty or Magna. Discretion is the better part of valour.

Matt

And along with that, mention also needs to be made of specialist tools such as retainers and pullers that might be needed. You can't really do a bodgy job and moake do with these. Mechanics have the tools and expertise to avoid damaging your engine, whereas doing it yourself you might have to make do.

Older engines it doesn't really matter - I'm in the middle of a complete rebuild of my 2.2l OHC Peugeot engine, but won't touch my LIberty or Magna. Discretion is the better part of valour.

Matt

Very True... They do have the tools that make the job a whole lot easier..

If you are going ahead... be gentle with the belt, don't wrestle it onto the pullies, and never get oil on it,
Take photos of before shots to help with reassembly.

An extra pair of hands is handy to hold the cams in position with a pair of spanners when you feed the belt around everything...

If the Magna has the automatic tensioner... Place the thing in a vice (With jaws that won't damage the body or piston) and VERY slowly tighten it till the hole for the grenade pin lines up.
Install the belt, set the correct tension on the belt with the timing marks in the exact right spots with the grenade pin still installed in the tensioner, rotate the engine with the crankshaft pully 2 revolutions to check the timing marks are still lining up (This also lets the belt seat) After this if the tension is correct you pull that little pin.

Don't forget to check all the idler bearings and give everything a wipe down with a clean rag... don't use any solvents.

Good luck

If you need any sorta help yell out!

Steve

PM sent check your email..
I sent an attachment for the timing belt replacement from a mitso manual!

Steve

Steve - thanks heaps for the info. I'm not concerned at all about doing the actual change intself, i was more concerned about getting access to the motor and how to go about doing this.

I'll let you know if i need any more help!