Carisma 1.8 Gdi Cambelt Options

[Freno]

I spoke to a mechanic & he said it is a nightmare to change the cambelt for the Carisma 1.8 GDI. Does anybody know if this is true??? Also does anybody know how much it usually costs to have 1 fitted?

[Solouko]

it is quite hard, you see the cam belt like on most cars, loops around the left hand side engine mount so you have to support the engine and take the mount off to get the belt on and off, but on the 'risma the mount is welded on making it more dificult. on top of that there is only 25mm of space between the chassis and the engine which is all the space you have to get the axu belt off, the alternator belt off, the cam belt cover off and the water pump out... in reality it's actually quicker to take the engine out, you dont need to have the special locking tools to lock the cam shafts in place. persolany i think you'd be lucky to find a quote less than £300 just for the labor and another 70 for the belt and water pump which needs to be changed with it! But here's a tip, dont take it to a dealership, they really dont have a clue what they're doing and might jsut mess it up, they also charge far too much. take it to some one who fixes cars for a living, not selling them.

I was lucky, i thought to change my cam belt the last time i had my engine out when changing the lash adjusters (tappets).