300TDI Timing cover fan bearing

[sclarke]

Guys,

I am looking at replacing my timing belt very soon and i was also looking at replacing the fan bearing in the timing cover.

Who has done it and where can i get one???

Clarkie

[Leo109]

Sorry to be a bearer of bad tidings, but I'm told you can't buy the original bearing. This was by a Tdi owner who also works at a "belts and bearings" specialist shop.

Apparently they are a very unusual outside diameter bearing. He said he has talked to the factory reps and even though he has the exact part no. and specs, SKF will not sell them to anyone other than LR. His solution: get a custom-machined sleeve made up that will adapt a common size bearing to the housing.

[sclarke]

Have since found out that the part number is

ERR7146BRG $115, Avail in Oz

http://www.british4wd.com/xcart/product.php?productid=412&cat=89&page=1

Never say Never......

[Leo109]

OK, I'll shoot my source next time I see him...

[rick130]

Good to see you back on line Ian :D

BTW, I was told the same thing when I did my timing belt 18 months ago and bought a new timing cover ($440, thank you very much) Then saw the bearing on ebay 4 weeks later for approx $90+........:(

[ATH]

I'm just going through the exercise of finding the source of a strange sort of squeak on my 300 Tdi and have narrowed it down to this bearing by taking the belt off and starting it. No squeak and when I spin it ny hand I can hear a small noise coming from there and can imagine it being the same when running at engine speeds.
Question is, can this bearing be changed without pulling the whole cover off?
As I've got the thing all ready it would be nice if this can be done without further stripping down.
Any help gratefully received.
Alan.

[MinniTheMoocha]

Hi Alan,

The cover definitely has to come off.

Its quite a job to heat the cover and press the bearing out.

The real problem though is the fan flange/mount that is press fitted onto the bearing. Most are cast and snap very easily.

I still haven't found an easy way rebuild the covers. I have one waiting to be done my mate has replaced his bearing but because you can't buy the flange it needs to be manufactured. Labour prices as they are it starts getting close to just buying a new cover.

I am the first one to say I don't like replacing things that can be rebuilt but it seems there is no easy option.



I'm just going through the exercise of finding the source of a strange sort of squeak on my 300 Tdi and have narrowed it down to this bearing by taking the belt off and starting it. No squeak and when I spin it ny hand I can hear a small noise coming from there and can imagine it being the same when running at engine speeds.
Question is, can this bearing be changed without pulling the whole cover off?
As I've got the thing all ready it would be nice if this can be done without further stripping down.
Any help gratefully received.
Alan.

[ATH]

Thanks Minni. Just what I feared the answer would be. Never mind, what's gotta be done will get done.
I'm hoping Richard our friendly mechanic in the northern burbs in WA can fix it at home so I don't have to put it back together just for someone else to pull it apart again!!!!
Strange that it should last right until the very end of our recent trip but grateful that it did.
Cheers.
Alan.

[Bazil]

Bazil
Stop searching - I have a solution, it's quite a process, but it works. I can do it for you - at a cost - or you can do the job yourselves. You need access to a lathe ( and someone to operate it ), and a good press.
Cheers
Bazil

[MinniTheMoocha]

Bazil
Stop searching - I have a solution, it's quite a process, but it works. I can do it for you - at a cost - or you can do the job yourselves. You need access to a lathe ( and someone to operate it ), and a good press.
Cheers
Bazil

Hi Bazil,

Would love to know the process you have been able use successfully.

Regards

[up2nogood]

There's another solution, remove the fan and fit electric ones. Remove the fan pulley and fit a 5pk belt off a 2006 Renault Laguna over the remaining pulleys.

I made the job hard for myself by also grafting on a Bosch 120A alternator off a Dunnydore.........

Use the fan tensioner to ride on the back of the belt to take out belt flex.

Although I will warn that the above fits nicely with a Bosch alternator in about the same place as the Magneto-Marelli genuine one. You may need to fool around with belt lengths keeping the M-M unit. Don't reckon it will be too far off tho.

Another benefit to this is way increased bearing life in all your ancillaries as you don't have the belt running anywhere near as tightly as standard. Engine will rev up a bit faster too, so I'm told. Haven't finished the alternator brackets and haven't run it yet.......

[loanrangie]

Bazil
Stop searching - I have a solution, it's quite a process, but it works. I can do it for you - at a cost - or you can do the job yourselves. You need access to a lathe ( and someone to operate it ), and a good press.
Cheers
Bazil

Please elaborate, i'm guessing it involves maching up a new bearing housing that then bolts or is welded to the timing cover, pics would be helpful.

[klivins]

There's another solution, remove the fan and fit electric ones. Remove the fan pulley and fit a 5pk belt off a 2006 Renault Laguna over the remaining pulleys.

I made the job hard for myself by also grafting on a Bosch 120A alternator off a Dunnydore.........

Use the fan tensioner to ride on the back of the belt to take out belt flex.

Although I will warn that the above fits nicely with a Bosch alternator in about the same place as the Magneto-Marelli genuine one. You may need to fool around with belt lengths keeping the M-M unit. Don't reckon it will be too far off tho.

Another benefit to this is way increased bearing life in all your ancillaries as you don't have the belt running anywhere near as tightly as standard. Engine will rev up a bit faster too, so I'm told. Haven't finished the alternator brackets and haven't run it yet.......

can you please specify what Laguna engine to look for?
cheers

[up2nogood]

2006, 5PK 1375 is the belt.