Cambelt replacement query

[helen&tony]

Hi
The Bongo is going to reach 200,000 next year, and I will get the cambelt done. I have a query as to difficulty on this job...we would have a bash ourselves, but we both suffer with various aches
My question is, is the cambelt a job that the average mechanic can do, and is it particularly difficult...as with the coolant ...which we manage ourselves ?
We have found a mechanic who seems to be quite confident, and charges a reasonable rate....he's done work on the suspension for us, and he works very well, so I am wondering whether to give him a try...and getting a workshop manual, and having the relevant pages translated....technical Bulgarian is a pain
What's the opinions???
Cheers
Helen

[wonkanoby]

give him the faq sheet from members area

and he should be fine

as well as belt spring and tensioner bit

[helen&tony]

Hi
Doh ...why didn't I think of that...excellent idea...and I will get the whole kit , anyway. He's actually quite a good worker...but over here, everyone calls themselves a "Maestor"...there's very little work, and they try anything to earn a buck...and there's no guarantee that the dealers employ any better...so I think I'll give him a go...and put a couple of other tasks his way first
Thanks again
Cheers
Helen

[Simon Jones]

It's not a massively tricky job, but he will need a big socket to turn the crankshaft nut. I can't recall the exact size, but its probably about 1.5". The other thing is that he will curse the person who thought sticking the engine under the seats was a smart idea . Access to the cambelt cover & timing marks does require you to be a contortionist!

[dandywarhol]

It's not a massively tricky job, but he will need a big socket to turn the crankshaft nut. I can't recall the exact size, but its probably about 1.5". The other thing is that he will curse the person who thought sticking the engine under the seats was a smart idea . Access to the cambelt cover & timing marks does require you to be a contortionist!

...............or use a mirror on a stick

[bigdaddycain]

I've never replaced one personally Helen... But the guy who did mine said he'd managed to replace one in 20 minutes! (it takes me that long to get the seats up)

[helen&tony]

Hi
Thanks, folks...having watched the guy replace the bottom wishbone in 40 minutes...and that was working slowly....I think I'll let him have a go when the time comes....with a translation of the member's fact sheet to show where everything is......and a proviso that he doesn't touch the cooling system.....I heard of one member's mechanic doing that for a cambelt
Cheers
Helen