Perhaps next time, you'll be a little bit more brave. You have the crank figured out now, and the cams are just as easy. I didn't use a cam tool, but did count the nubs in the timing belt between the 2, and verified the marks were still in alignment when putting the belt back on. My intake had moved slightly, but I just grabbed it and put it back into position. My exhaust stayed put! To remove the accessory belt, you put a 14mm wrench on the tensioner, and move clockwise. I took a cheap 12 point wrench, and cut off the open end. By doing this, I was then able to attach an 18" 1/2 inch steel pipe and use as a "cheater bar". Take a bungie cord and pull this as far clockwise as it goes and secure. Getting the accessory belt on and off is easy!

I agree, you must be very careful with the interference engine. Buy a 30mm socket (this fits the crank nut), and after installing the new timing belt, turn the engine over by hand a few times and make sure there is no interference. This will give you the confidence to crank it up and run a few seconds before buttoning it all up. You can then check the tensioner again, and be good to go!

You can always find help on the forum, but this takes time. The 1st time I did my timing belt I started Friday, so I'd have the whole weekend. Good thing I did, as when I took off the strut brace, I noticed the upper engine mount was bad. Since it was Friday, it was easy to get a new one. Since you have alreay taken off the front plastic piece, be real careful about the bolt that attaches it. It is a size 7 as most bolts on the vehicle are 6 or 8. I thought I had lost mine and couldn't find a bolt that would work in my can of spares. What I had done was I put it into the Antifreeze expansion tank hose to keep it from dripping. I'll use something else next time!

Did you remove the inner fender, or did you go in from the top. I removed my inner fender, and it was a real pain in the ass to do, as the rivets spin when trying to drill them out. Does anyone have the right technique to do this? What's the concensus, go in from the top, or remove the inner fender? With the fender removed spinning the engine and removing the dampener was a piece of cake.

Jerry
01 V70 T5