Cam Belt change - step by step

[Skeggy]

The following link is to a step by step guide to changeing the cam belt written by chrisw2811.

http://www.benani.co.uk/Lotus/cambelt.html

I have put it up on my web space for you all to read and comment on.

If you have any comments please post them here or email me on

steve at benani dot co dot uk.... change the obvious!

Also if anyone has any pictures that could be added please let me have them.

Finally can I be the first to say a big thanks to Chris (chrisw2811) for taking the time and trouble to write this.

Finally all website errors are mine

[GavinTaylor]

Excellent, Steve.

One suggestion; under #1 it may be a good idea to add "Disconnect Battery".
Last thing we need is SWMBO going to move the car with the belt disconnected.

And for what it's worth (and others may not prefer) I do the #4 step of marking with Tippex or white paint a little differently.

My method:
For a first reference point, I paint a sort of wide stripe across the edge of the belt to include two adjacent teeth. Now, here's the important part; continue the paint across the edge of the cam pulley as well. The inlet pulley is probably easiest.
For the other reference marks, paint a single stripe across all other pulleys AND belt.

This method establishes the all important relationship between belt and pulleys. It eliminates the need to count teeth, and you don't need to bring the engine to TDC.
With the old belt removed, transfer all markings to the new belt and install.

[Skeggy]

Hi Gavin,

As I said I only put it up Chris wrote it

I'll add your suggestions to the page.

Agree about disconnecting the battery.

As to your idea of marking, again I agree that it may not be everyones preference.

But I think it's a good idea to have as many suggetions as possible with regards to making sure the timing cam/ignition is not altered.

[CapnBob]

If someone wants to wite this procedure up, we can put it in tech articles
KB