cam belt, timing belt ?

[Danny Cawsey]

Right i had a look under my car the other day while it was up on the ramps i noticed that the belt located on the passenger side of the engine looks brittle, am i right in saying this is the timing belt as im sure the cams are run by a chain on the other side of the block.
is this the belt that causes major holes in your pocked when they snap?
and any idea of a price to have a new one fitted?
cheers in advance .

 

[<tuffty/>]

ermm... belt on the passenger side???

<tuffty/>

 

[Danny Cawsey]

hahah sorry i ment drivers side my mistake

 

[rossbrownlee]

The cam / timing belt is on the drivers side pal. Not sure if it is even visible from below without removing covers.
The auxiliary belt has grooves runing along its length. Look at the engine from above, the timing belt is under the black plastic cover on the end of the engine block. The auxiliary belt (alternator / power steering pump / aircon if applicable) is visible by looking to the left of your intake manifold where you will see the belt on your alternator pulley.
You are half right though, one camshaft is driven by your toothed (timing) belt, this shaft then drives the other camshaft via a chain at the opposite end.

 

[<tuffty/>]

lol... if its visible then its the serpentine accessory belt... grooved belt?

Try this....
http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php?294062-DIY-Serpentine-Belt-REMOVAL-amp-INSTALL

Pretty sure the 18mm spanner they suggest to use is a little too big, seem to remember it being a 15mm or 16mm

Belts are around 10 to 15 quid IIRC

<tuffty/>

 

[Welly]

15 mm dude. Deffo a 15.