Info on whats behind the cambelt tensioner

[keeweechris]

Hi,

The standard cambelt change is turning into a bit of a major. I pulled the old tensioner off (swing arm type) and discovered that the previous "mechanic" had stripped the bolt hole and had used a Heli-coil to install the bolt back in.

So after getting all the old locktight out, I've got 2 options:

1) Reinstall a new Helicoil (but I havn't got a Helicoil kit, and they cost a fair bit)

2) Or step up to an M12 bolt, machine the tensioner bush, and re-tap the hole.

I've shined a light into the hole, and noticed it opens up into a hollow bit.

So does anyone know if a bunch of aluminium swarf ending up back there is ok? Where does the gap go?

Cheers!

[keeweechris]

Actually, forget all that, I've got another plan...

That piece of metal that the tensioner bolts into looks like it comes off. Does anyone know if pulling it off (2 10mm bolts along top, 1 10mm bolt on right, and one gold 12mm bolt to left of tensioner bolthole) is ok without oil or something else pissing out?

[keeweechris]

Haha, nevermind, I pulled it off... all good.

Anyone happen to know where the Oil Pump O-ring is located? Might end up changing that aswell.

[driftrex]

 keeweechris said:

Haha, nevermind, I pulled it off... all good.

Anyone happen to know where the Oil Pump O-ring is located? Might end up changing that aswell.

oil pump sits over the crankshaft, theres about 6 10mm bolts holding it on, undo them and it comes right off, you will see the o-ring, make sure the screws on the back of the oil pump are tight while your there as these commonly come loose.

you will need to put some sealant round the pump when you refit it, i used threebond.

should replace the crank seal after refitting the oil pump as well.

[keeweechris]

Thanks Driftrex.

Will oil pour out when I take the oil pump off?

And is ThreeBond the same sort of stuff as that red silicon gasket sealant stuff you get from SuperCheap?

[Guest boostcut]

three bond is three bond, its grey so looks factory and is THE best sealant you can get period. you can pick it up at repco

[DRFVDR]

 boostcut said:

three bond is three bond, its grey so looks factory and is THE best sealant you can get period. you can pick it up at repco

In your opinion

[Guest boostcut]

what do you think is better? and dont say hylomar or something like that crap

[DRFVDR]

just saying that it is in your opinion the best....

I personally use a Wurth product which is good (porsche use it on their engines)

[Guest boostin]

Wurth and Threebond are virtually identical. I've used both and I would hazard a guess that they're made in the same factory.

[Guest boostcut]

btw, porsche use loctite....http://www.vertexauto.com/ShowItem/3990%20Porsche%20Loctite%20574%20Sealant%20-%20250%20Tube.aspx

[DRFVDR]

I do like the oldskool black sh*t that goes hard as a rock (hard ot get now) looks like treacle

[Guest boostcut]

you mean shalack (sp)?

[keeweechris]

Will get some Threebond 1215 from Repco (which seems to be Room Temperature Vucanising Silicone goop that likes to be around hot oil)... don't want to pull all this apart again in a hurry!

A bit more major than the simple cambelt change, but at least I now know where my oil leak was coming from! (Crank oil seal).

And driftrex, thanks for the heads-up on the screws behind the oil pump... 1 was half out! Whats up with using philips screws in there??!

[DRFVDR]

 boostcut said:

you mean shalack (sp)?

Yup that the sh*t and i think spelt shelleck but wot would i know

anyways it good for sealing things that aint gonna move like cast iron to steel diff housings not so good on alloy stuff as it moves about a bit

[driftrex]

 keeweechris said:

And driftrex, thanks for the heads-up on the screws behind the oil pump... 1 was half out! Whats up with using philips screws in there??!

no worries dude, just had to do mine recently as my crank seal was leaking as well, caused by 2 oil pump screws half way out. i loctited them in too just to be safe.

[keeweechris]

So you reckon the loose screws caused the seal to leak?

[Guest boostin]

It can do. The oil pressure works its way into the wrong place and pushes the seal out.

An old hard seal will leak too.

I always stick the oil pump in a vice and tighten the bolts with an impact driver.

[driftrex]

 keeweechris said:

So you reckon the loose screws caused the seal to leak?

more than likely, i replaced my crank seal twice before been told bout the pump screw thing, and mine blew out every time and leaked like a bitch.

so hopefully you have found your problem now too ;D

[ReubenH]

Three bond is fine. Expensive, but good. Atleast it doesn't smell like shit, and look terrible like the red stuff.

As for your tensioner bracket. I just so happen to have one here, in wellsford/auckland. If you put it on, you will need to get the old... how do you call it... fixed style tensioner... The pre 98 style.

[keeweechris]

 ReubenH said:

Three bond is fine. Expensive, but good. Atleast it doesn't smell like ****, and look terrible like the red stuff.

As for your tensioner bracket. I just so happen to have one here, in wellsford/auckland. If you put it on, you will need to get the old... how do you call it... fixed style tensioner... The pre 98 style.

Thanks for the offer Reuben... but I've been racing round wreckers at lunch and handed over $84 for the right one. Robbery I know, but only way to get the part today and car back and running for the missus tomorrow.

Took one look at repco's huge tube of 3bond for $80 and bought some CRC hi temp red goop for $10. Sounded like the same type of stuff... RTV, silicone, high temp. Whatever.

[Guest boostin]

Yeah its exactly the same, but totally different....

[ReubenH]

$84!!!

You in auckland mate? Next time take one of us shopping with yah. If not, bugger.

[keeweechris]

Thx... I feel stink enough already :-\

[driftrex]

 keeweechris said:

Took one look at repco's huge tube of 3bond for $80 and bought some CRC hi temp red goop for $10. Sounded like the same type of stuff... RTV, silicone, high temp. Whatever.

damn $80 for threebond? what a rip, paid like $15 for my tube, its good stuff, and i wouldnt use anything else on the oil pump, but im sure it'll be fine for a while.