Hi

I have been registered on the site for ages but never knew there was a forum!! So may I take this opportunity to say "hi".

I have had my 323 for two years now and I am ashamed to say that I haven't kept to the service schedule for the last 50k . The time has come to give her a darn good service and I guess as it is due a cambelt change in 4k I may as well do it now. I have a few questions if that is OK with you guys. (she is a '96 1.5 16v Atlantis)

Are there any instructions for this process? I searched and found a similar post, asking a questions similar to this but the link to the help appears to be dead. I am used to doing things like timing belts but I usully have a trusty Haynes manual to hand...

What parts do I need to complete the task?

I also feel that the clutch will need changing VERY soon, is it worth doing that the same time, again re there any pointers anywhere?

Your help would be really appreciated, in return if you need to know about aircooled VW's I may be able to help...

I guess most of us get garages to do cam belt changes, although a couple of the lads here actually work in dealers so you may just be in luck.

In the mean time, check the service schedule on the main site for Mazda's recomendations:

http://www.club323f.com/ba/tuning/servi ... ervice.php

Thanks matey, I would get a garage to do it but I am a great believer in getting my hands dirty and saving a few pounds.

Totally agree and me too mate - but I don't play with important things like cambelts!

Cambelts aren't actually that difficult if you have a workshop manual to refer to for torques etc, trouble is as we all know there isn't one for the Lantis. The job is time consuming and complicated but in the end it is really only a series of smaller jobs bundled together.

I am the eternal optimist!

If I could afford to I'd get it done at the garage I would just to save myself the hastle of trying to find the settings etc but I really do begrudge paying hundreds of pounds for work I know I could do myself. Two local garages (Mazda dealer and an Independant) quoted the best part of £600 for the job, the car is only just worth that!!

AH

Shop around mate - I got my V6 Cam Belts and all other belts done by a Mazda Main dealer - £220 all in.

[quote="GOGOBROOM"]Shop around mate - I got my V6 Cam Belts and all other belts done by a Mazda Main dealer - £220 all in.[/quote]

That is more like it, TBH I just think that the garages around here are lazy and don't want to do the work, as I said before silly money.

I'd still like any information though if anybody has it?

There are manuals available. Do forum search here for 'haynes' or 'manual'. You should find a few sugestions of tomes that will cover the engines.

Mark

Nice one thanks, I'll have a look.

You'll need a special took to take of the tighest bolt, i made one, and it wasn't easy to do.

i got mine done from a garage at which a friend of mine spends almost £20, 000 per year, and i had my timing belt changed and service for £80. i went to mazda to get eveythin i needed and that cost abit from the mazda dealership, but for that kinda price it wernt really worth me playing around with my timing belt.

alright i might not have a mazda stamp on the service history but im not too bothered

do some networkin and im sure you can get a timing belt done for less than £200. good luck to you if you do have ago yourself though

depends whether or not it needs the tensioner thingumabob, they'll use that to rocket the price up...

I would not be too worried about changing cam belt at 54 if you don't want too, this is a safe engine, which means it will not damage the engine even if the belt snaps.
I didn't change mine until 108k.
You have to remove driver side engine mounting and jack engine up, remove wheel and cowl, remove crankshaft bolt which can be a b*****d.
If you mark the positions you should be able to get the alignment right.
This is just a brief overview of the job, I watched a Mazda guy do mine but I will have to do it myself at some time.
There might be detailed instructions on the protege site in America or some other mazda site.

Ta Arnie, when I say 54k I mean since the last time it was done at 54k, so mine too is at 108k. It is good to know that it is a safe engine though, back to screaming the doolalies off her then!!!

I meant 108k between changes

The tensioner alone costed me around 150 quids. By the way, i didn't need to jack the engine up in order to work. But yes, it can be a bit b*****d to remove the bolts.

Ah, and another thing, I replaced the timingbelt/alternator belt/tensioner/idler after 48K. I actually didn't know the car's history so better play it safe and give it a good service..

by the way, if someone knows any website where one can buy these belts and tensioners, i would really appreciate it as in my country prices are very high and parts are not always available in stock.

[quote="drunkenmunky"]The tensioner alone costed me around 150 quids. By the way, i didn't need to jack the engine up in order to work. But yes, it can be a bit b*****d to remove the bolts.[/quote]

You don't actually have to raise the engine; but you aught to support it in some way while the engine mount is removed ...

And yes - that crank pulley bolt is a reall bar steward !!!

(1.

Any tips for the removal of the Bar Steward bolt then?

Is it likely to sheer? That would be quite bad I should imagine.

You can use the starter motor to crack the nut

[quote="Arnie"]You can use the starter motor to crack the nut[/quote]

Thanks mate, appreciated.