Which Brand of Timing Belt Kits?

Obukit

Just out of interest, why are you supplying the parts? It would make sense if you were picking up a part from the scrappy, but for a timing belt the cost of the kit vs. cost of the work is very little. But if the belt fails quickly, rather than the mechanic fixing it for you, you'll have to chase whoever you bought it from.

False economy, in my opinion. Just tell your mechanic what type of belt you want, but as others have said, they will be getting it from a motor factor who won't sell the rubbish eBay tat anyway.

adandem

I'm supplying my own parts as someone is doing it for me as a favour.
Local prices for supply and fit are £192-£350.(without water pump)
Local prices are £60-£96 for parts only including water pump.

The brands are Gates or Unipart - any prefernce do you think?

mikey72

adandem wrote: »

I'm supplying my own parts as someone is doing it for me as a favour.
Local prices for supply and fit are £192-£350.(without water pump)
Local prices are £60-£96 for parts only including water pump.

The brands are Gates or Unipart - any prefernce do you think?

Gates on the box for me.

colino

While Unipart have multiple suppliers (they don't make belts), pretty strong probability that the Unipart box will have a branded Gates belt in it anyway.

w50nky

Does anyone use the recommended tension checking devices when replacing a timing belt? Is this really necessary? When I have changed belts on my older cars it was done by hand and visually at some point on the belt run as it were.
I realise the belt must not be to tight or too slack, any thoughts?

colino

No, don't use the tensioner tool, the quarter-twist on the longest run seems to have proved worthy up until now.

adandem

Cheers everyone, got belt kit and water pump for £72 - Gates.
Thanks again.

Stephen_Leak

If anyone is wondering why you should also change the water pump, it's that the new belt puts more strain on the pump bearings.

As you have to take the pump off and back on again to change the belt, the garage should just charge for the part.

In fact, I would go so far as to say that, if a garage adds anything for "extra" labour, then walk away.