Should I change the Cambelt myself?

[achtung_boy]

I've got a Vauxhall Astra H 2008 TDCI, which is coming up to 80k and therefore will require a cambelt change. I've sort of got into fixing smallish jobs myself rather than be at the mercy of mechanics and paying through the nose, and so far have done well. I've fixed a few things with the help of my Haynes manual, the biggest job being an intercooler change.

I wonder if it's worth a novice such as myself having a go at the belt, or if this is a job best left to the professionals. Any thoughts or advice would be greatly received.

Thanks

[shorod]

If there is a local Astra enthusiast club you could contact them and see if anyone from that club would be willing to help you out with the belt change. I'm not familiar with the Astra engine to know if there are any special tools required so you'd definitely want to understand that before tackling the job.

I'm generally all for being a DIY'er and getting to better know your car through working on it. But, based on the simplicity of an intercooler swap (please don't take offense) relative to a cambelt change, if you're unable to find someone with experience in this area to help you, I'd suggest you leave it to a professional who has insurance. Assuming the Astra engine is an interference engine, if you don't get it right, you could do a lot of damage (bent valves, broken pistons, etc.).

-Rod

[dharris973303]

if you're calling it a "cam belt" instead of a TIMING BELT, wich it is referd to as, i'd say no.

the book may tell to remove the "yadda yadda" and you'll mistakenly remove somthing else.

but on the other hand how are you ever going to learn if you don't try?

as a rule of thumb on timing belts.. CHECK CHECK CHECK the marks, then roll it around 4-8 times to make sure the marks are right, the sytems not binding, and the tensioner isn't giving way.

also don't press the tensioner in, let the rotation of the crank do it, overtightening the belt causes a howl

[shorod]

"Timing belt" may be the terminology that is most common in the US, but "cam belt" is perfectly correct, and accurate (afterall, it drives the camshafts off of the crankshaft). "Cam belt" seems to be the more common phrase outside of the US, and the original poster is from London.

-Rod