200Tdi timing belt

Timing belt failure can destroy an engine in an instant. Trevor Cuthbert explains how to renew this critical component on a 200Tdi

Avoid timing belt failure and renew this critical component on a 200Tdi

THE timing belt (or cambelt, as it is often referred to) on the 200Tdi engine needs to be renewed every 60,000 miles or five years, whichever occurs first. If the belt is not changed there is a significant risk that it could break, resulting in expensive damage to your engine – at the very least bent valves and probably damage to the pistons, depending on the engine speed when the belt breaks.

The Tdi engine is not particularly difficult to work on as a general rule, and replacing the timing belt is relatively straightforward. With that said, I have never tackled one before now because I have always had a friend who would nip around with his timing tool kit and do them for me. However, the pandemic lockdown put paid to that particular convenience and it was time to begin changing Tdi timing belts myself.

Apart from the usual careful and methodical approach to working on an engine, to change the timing belt on the 200 Tdi you will need some means of locking the engine at Top Dead Centre (TDC). I’ve seen this done simply with a 9 mm drill bit to lock the fuel injection pump and hoping for the best with the rest, but a timing pins tool kit for Land Rover engines is not expensive. I picked the one used here online for less than £25, and it includes the puller for the crankshaft pulley.

The engine featured here was an unknown quantity. The new owner had no record of when the timing belt had last been changed, so the work was carried out as a precaution and for peace of mind. Clearly, on a complete and running Land Rover, the engine fan and cowling, if not the radiator as well, would need to be removed to carry out the work shown here.

A good opportunity 1 The 200Tdi engine is on a trolley while the Land Rover is having an extensive rebuild carried out, so there is no radiator or bodywork in the way.

Easy 2 While the ancillary belts are still in place, these water pump pulley bolts are loosened while everything is held firmly, then the ancillary components are loosened.

Still easy 3 The alternator and water pump drive belt can be loosened considerably by moving the alternator, so there is no problem removing the belt.

Difficult 4 The power steering pump belt can only be loosened a little, before turning the crank clockwise with a 30 mm socket while de-railing the belt from the pulley.