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According to Haynes, it's "Fairly Difficult." As a beginner DIY, I started the job shortly after 11 a.m. and by the time I'm done and have my garage clean up is 7 p.m. I did, however, take a rest (including a long lunch) from time to time.
I'm quite pleased with the result, nevertheless.
For those beginners (experts, bypass the rest), here are the issues to watch (all based on Haynes' paragraph number):
3.9 The space is so tight to remove the bolts on the timing belt guard that you're lucky to turn 1/8 circle on each action. The bolts do not break loose (or loose enough that you can turn by your bare fingers). A 1/2 hour job for me.
3.10 You need a 30mm socket to turn the crankshaft. No marks on mine and so I marked them myself with white touch-up paint, as suggested by a DIY bricker.
3.14 The space indeed is very limited at the crankshaft sprocket. I just cut the belt to remove it.
3.18 Make sure you have a big enough vice to lock the tensioner plunger. I don't and had to use 3 C-clamps for the job.
3.20 Now that you cannot cut your new timing belt to put it in place, you need to do a great amount of manipulation. And, you have to use your hands to sense what is in its way since it's out of your view. Then, line the belt up tight on the camshaft sprocket took me another hour or so. This is an important part and so I didn't rush it. I would say it's very easy to miss aligned them. If you do, you have to start all over by removing the belt tensioner and retension it and so on....
3.25 Timing belt guard again! Another 1/2 hour job to put it back!
3.26 I didn't fold back the wheel arch liner until I was done with the aux belt.
3.30 Refit the aux belt is not a snap for me. I used a C-clamp (clamp on the hole and edge of the tensioner) and a screwdriver. When we (my wife and I) finally got it right, it's easy.
This is the first time I have ever done a timing belt change on any car. The next time I can do it in 3-4 hours. With better tools, I can further cut it down to 2-3 hours.
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