300TDi Timing Belt

[Michael2]

Once the timing belt on the 300 Tdi has been replaced, does it still need doing every 80,000km, or does the retro-fit fix the issue.

A friend's looking at getting a Defender that had the belt done 85,000km ago and it's 1,200km away. How soon should he do the belt? Should he risk the drive back?

Thanks, Michael2

[Red October]

The short answer is yes. All timing belts have a life span and seeing as the cost of mechanical carnage (and inconvenience) its cheap insurance. If I bought a car with a unknown history I'd renew the belt for peace of mind

[p38arover]

The short answer is yes. All timing belts have a life span and seeing as the cost of mechanical carnage (and inconvenience) its cheap insurance. If I bought a car with a unknown history I'd renew the belt for peace of mind

Agreed!

In my case it was easy. The belt had been replaced 59,500 km before I bought it so I replaced it after purchase. I also did the pulleys, etc.

Unfortunately, the previous mechanic had centre-popped the crankshaft nose (to expand it) and then loctited the belt pulley and the harmonic balancer on. They needed oxy to get them off.

Ron

[JohnE]

I agree keep up a regular cycle and things will be good.

Hey Ron, I must have had a touch of the 'Rons' when i had my timing belt done, lucky i opted for a preferred supplier, it took them ages to get the timing belt pullery off, why, some genius had loctited it on, well no genius, the previous one had been done by a 'dealer'.


john

[Graz]

You might find it's a requirement to loctite the pulley on. My manual ( for 200TDI ) requires the harmonic balancer and bolt to be loctited

[waynep]

That's true, they didn't loctite properly when they did my timing belt and it caused the timing to go out and seriously affect performance.( lots of white smoke and no power )

[p38arover]

You might find it's a requirement to loctite the pulley on. My manual ( for 200TDI ) requires the harmonic balancer and bolt to be loctited

On the 300Tdi, the manual doesn't specify either - in fact it says to grease the crankshaft!



Refit
12. Refit in reverse order, lightly greasing pulley
spigot. Tighten to 80 Nm + 90°.

Ron

[PAT303]

Micheal2 I would replace the lot on a vehicle I didn't know about.I have changed my belt every 80k and the timing gears every second belt.I had a pulley break on my engine and bent two pushrods and a rocker so for peace of mind I'd do the lot. Pat

[Michael2]

Thanks for the replies. It looks like he'll have to get the Defender trucked down and get the timing belt done immediately if he wants to buy it.

[PAT303]

One more thing,some places charge like a wounded bull so get a quote first.Changing just the belt should cost no more than $300. Pat

[rick130]

I agree, the only thing that needs loctiting is the crank bolt.
I would always use anti-seize on the crank nose to ease replacement in the future.

[justinc]

Only loctited? I've had them arrive WELDED on!!!!!!!!!

That requires a crank replacement.

That is a nasty thing to do to someones 'fender, and yes it was a used car dealer.


The owner was unable to get any recompense as they were long gone.


:mad::mad::mad::mad::mad:


JC

[tab]

Are the defenders easier to do than a disco? I was quoted $470 just for the replacement kit, $950 installed. It all seems rather expensive, as belts my other cars are less than $100. I have broken camshaft drive belts on other cars, it bent push rods and valves etc. should be avoided if possible .

[waynep]

Are the defenders easier to do than a disco? I was quoted $470 just for the replacement kit, $950 installed. It all seems rather expensive, as belts my other cars are less than $100. I have broken camshaft drive belts on other cars, it bent push rods and valves etc. should be avoided if possible .

I would have thought $450 supplied and fitted would be about right for a Disco - for a belt only no mod kit.

[PAT303]

The belts are worth $75.The last one I had done cost $220 drive away.If someone gave me a bill for $950 I wouldn't pay it.A mechanic I once spoke to removed the radiator when he does it,that is going overboard. Pat

[BigJon]

If someone gave me a bill for $950 I wouldn't pay it

And then you wouldn't get your vehicle back. Then 3 months later it would be sold to cover the cost of the repair and the storage fee for those intervening 3 months. Tradesmans Lien. All legal.

[Didge]

I bought my Def with 202000km on the clock thinking they were done at 100,000kms. Got home, had the belt done (incl pulley kit) for $450 (1st quote was $950) and was very lucky as it was badly worn. It's standard maintenance