2.0 XSi cambelt change

[Chris71]

Hi,

I'm planning a DIY cambelt change on a 1998 XSi. I've agreed to buy the car off a mate, but he knows very little about its technical details (he wasn't even sure if it was 8-valve or 16-valve) all I know is that it's a 2-litre XSi registered in Aug 1998.

Does anyone know if this is the right timing belt kit? https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fits-Peugeot-...#vi-ilComp

It says 2.0 XSi, but when I try the compatibility checker it says it's not suitable for the car...

Also ordered a Haynes manual this morning. I've done odds and sods on cars before, but never anything of this complexity - any tips?

Cheers,

Chris

[Mighty306]

From the picture, no, it doesn't look right Chris. Will try to hunt a correct kit down for you when I'm home later.

On eBay I generally search for parts including the search term "Peugeot 306 2.0 16v" to eliminate parts that we're for the 8 valve XSi. You still need to carefully cross-reference parts to ensure they'll fit. You can't fully trust the eBay compatibility guide.

There are a number of important steps in doing a belt change (I've done 2 now). I can link to some info for you later. You'll need 8mm tool to lock off crankshaft, 6mm tools for camshafts, a cam holding tool n a tool to tighten the tensioner (8mm square I think). Ideally, something is also required to lock the flywheel. You may also need some sort of impact tool to remove the crank pulley bolt! I could go on ....!

[Chris71]

You'll need 8mm tool to lock off crankshaft, 6mm tools for camshafts, a cam holding tool n a tool to tighten the tensioner (8mm square I think). Ideally, something is also required to lock the flywheel. You may also need some sort of impact tool to remove the crank pulley bolt! I could go on ....!

Forgive my naivety, but what sort of tools are we talking about here?

The plan is rope my dad into supervising the job. Unlike me, he has plenty of hands-on experience and a well-equipped workshop, but this car is about half a century too modern for his tastes, so he won't have any Pug-specific tools. :-)

[Mighty306]

I found this site helpful but it doesn't tell the whole story.  https://www.petrila.net/repair/2/406d8/i...eg0ik3.htm

For a start, they changed the design of the cam pulleys in late 1997 and yours will have a single centre bolt to lock it to the camshaft.  The petrila guide shows the older type with 3 smaller bolts locking the pulley to the camshaft. As part of the belt change you have to release the pulley from the camshaft whilst the camshaft is locked in place by a 6mm pin.  The pin & belt aren't man enough to take the force of the centre bolt either being undone or torqued back up so you need a tool like this to hold the camshaft while you do that.  https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Laser-2869-Ca...xycmBS3kyE

The petrilla guide also doesn't show a picture of the tool you need to rotate the cam belt tensioner.  I made one using a piece door handle bar welded to a piece of flat bar!

I suggest you do lots of research beforehand.  There are various guides & posts on other sites (e.g. the 306gti6 website) detailing a cam belt change.  (The belt kits & process is the same on the GTi6 and the 16v XSi).

The Peugeot part number for the manual tensioned cam belt kit is 0831.48 and the water pump is 1201.93.  Try to check that whatever aftermarket versions you get you cross-reference to those numbers and you should be OK.

E.g. this is the correct kit from a reputable eBay supplier.  https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Timing-Belt-K...SwXJNZbUHS

....and this is a correct water pump.  https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Genuine-Comli...wkuRZeMz4, Although not a top brand, it should be OK.