300TDi Timing Belt

**Michael2** · 7th August 2007, 10:04 PM

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** · 7th August 2007, 10:12 PM

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** · 7th August 2007, 11:53 PM

Originally Posted by petemci

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** · 8th August 2007, 08:13 AM

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** · 8th August 2007, 08:33 AM

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** · 8th August 2007, 09:15 AM

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** · 8th August 2007, 09:31 AM

Originally Posted by 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

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** · 8th August 2007, 12:56 PM

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** · 8th August 2007, 02:15 PM

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** · 8th August 2007, 02:49 PM

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

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