Is it possible to change the timing belt and tensioner on my car, w/out having to reset timing. My belt looks okay, but looked in my records when it was last changed at 95k miles, now the car has around 185 k miles. AZ Summer is coming and thought it would be good to change it. Thx
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Michael 'Street'... one AZ '85 244DL 185K miles

Thanks a lot everyone, makes it sounds fairly easy!
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Michael 'Street'... one AZ '85 244DL 185K miles

You shouldn't need to fiddle with the timing if you get everything lined up properly.

When you replace the belt, ignore the marks on the timing belt. Unless it's a Volvo brand belt, the marks may very well be wrong. The crank mark is usually pretty easy to find. On a B21/B23 the cam mark is also easy to find (notch on the valve cover), on the B230 it may be a bit more difficult (notch on the black plastic rear timing belt cover).. and on a 240 pop the distributor cap off and line the rotor up with the notch under the dust cover.

- alex

'85 244 Turbo
'84 245 Turbo

Make it easy on yourself, get a new belt that has the timing index marks etched on the belt. The timing indices are easily found on the three shaft gears, but may be a little buggered up. The marked belt makes it real simple for a newbie.
The belt is what aligns the timing sequence with the three shafts. It is the integral part of the timing. It is possible to remove the old belt, and with out moving any of the shafts while installing the new belt and not disturb the timing sequence. However, that seems somewhat illogical to consider a problem in the first place. Don't place an empasis on disturbing the timing, just concentrate on getting the new belt on properly and the timing will be correct. Just line the marks on the shaft gears with the marks on the belt, then give a second look at the marks on the inner cover to verify they line up with the marks on the gears and belt. Really not that tough of a job.

You shouldn't need to adjust the timing. Once the cam is lined up with the TDC mark, everything should be correct. Since the distributor is driven directly off the head, when the cam's correct the ignition timing will be right. You will want to make sure that you keep everything lined up- it's easy to rotate something a little when removing the belt or removing a sprocket for seal replacement.
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Rob Bareiss, New London CT ::: '86 244DL- 215K, 87 244DL- 230K, 88 744GLE- 198K, 91 244 180K

I just did a timing belt on two different cars without resetting the timing. Both run well. I haven't heard that you are supposed to reset the timing.
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Thanks to everyone for the help, Doug C. 81 242 Brick Off Blocks, stock, M46; 86 240, 130K

(1) With that many miles on the belt, change it as soon as you finish reading this.

Yes, it is possible, in fact normal, to do the belt and tensioner job without having to retime the engine.

Gather info, FAQs, Archives, Haynes, Bentley, etc. and think your way though the job. Then go for it.

Good Luck,

Bob

:>)

You don't need to worry about the timing at all, as long as the present timing is correct and the engine is running well.
Put a dab of white paint, eg typing correction fluid, on one tooth on each sprocket and also on the belt, remove the belt, lay it on top of the new one, transpose the paint marks, then fit the new belt putting the new paint marks so that they align with the sprocket marks.
It works with any belt with the engine in any position.

PFS = pretty slick.

Theoretically your ignition timing should not change but in practice it may. It has been my experiece that there will be a slight difference between the old belt and a new one due to stretch and manufacturing tolerences. This is why we have a tensioner. This slight difference is observed in the way the cam timing mark lines as the new belt is fitted and and be as much as half a tooth. Not enough to make much difference but there may be a slight shift in the ignition timing. It is my practice to check it.

Of course all of the above assumes that cam and ignition timing were previously done correctly. Not always a safe assumption.



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David Hunter