19 F7P timing belt change

[LH16v]

In the process of changing the timing belt on a 19 16v with an F7P engine. Have not removed the old belt yet.





I have removed all the covers so I have access to the belt. Went to find the crank shaft locking hole and found that it is very difficult to access. I don’t think I can get to it without removing the radiator.





My question is how important is it to actually lock the crankshaft given that I have both marking on the crankshaft pulley and the new timing belt.





The replacement belt has markings for both camshafts and the crankshaft.





If I just replace the belt and make sure all the markings line up, isn’t that enough?

 

[stocky88]

it is easy to lock the flywheel, no need to remove anything, just use a drill bit in the hole, can't remember the size but someone will know. take tension off belt tensioner and change belt.

 

[LH16v]

it is easy to lock the flywheel, no need to remove anything, just use a drill bit in the hole, can't remember the size but someone will know. take tension off belt tensioner and change belt.

Thanks - the problem for me was the accesibility of the locking hole. Could not get to it because of stuff in the way. Anyway, I took the radiator out and got access to it. Stuck a drill bit in- think it was a 5 or 6 mm.

Took the old belt off and one of the cams moved

Put the new belt on while I got my son to rotate the cam with a spanner. Belt was very tight but got there in the end.

Now the belt is on and the marks on the belt line up i.e. cams and crankshaft line up with marking on the belt so I guess I am all good?

Just need to tension the belt but it already feels quite tight so not sure how much tensioning it actually needs. The tensioner design is terrible - especially when working with the engine in place.

 

[LH16v]

it is easy to lock the flywheel, no need to remove anything, just use a drill bit in the hole, can't remember the size but someone will know. take tension off belt tensioner and change belt.

Thanks - the problem for me was the accesibility of the locking hole. Could not get to it because of stuff in the way. Anyway, I took the radiator out and got access to it. Stuck a drill bit in- think it was a 5 or 6 mm.

Took the old belt off and one of the cams moved View attachment 223826

Put the new belt on while I got my son to rotate the cam with a spanner. Belt was very tight but got there in the end.

Now the belt is on and the marks on the belt line up i.e. cams and crankshaft line up with marking on the belt so I guess I am all good?

Just need to tension the belt but it already feels quite tight so not sure how much tensioning it actually needs. The tensioner design is terrible - especially when working with the engine in place.