Boxer, all,

Yes changing belts as required is no mystery. I've even lenthened the oil cooler hoses so the radiator can just swing away without disconnecting the oil circuit avoiding all that mess.
It's been fun amigos!

Hostila vista!
Arr

That Zeus gear set LOOKS nice but does it work for 300K miles?

Arr[/quote]

It looks PUNY to me.
Check the small idler gear you can see.
Just imagine what happens when its bearing fails .... OUCH!

Best just keep changing them belts!

Anyone who thinks timing chains don't break hasn't looked far enough. Even SAAB (renowned for reliable engines) had troubles with chains breaking, and when they did break the damage was incredible as six feet of chain was dragged kicking and screaming down to the bottom sprocket of the crank, but not back up again ... it just piled down there and tore the whole thing apart.

CharlesY

Arr said:

Ouch! We usually expect our diesels to do 600K (assuming good oil changes and other maintenance). Getting the feeling I've picked the wrong engine.

There's a little plastic bit holding the clutch lever arm and throw-out bearing together inside the bell housing. Not only is this plastic, but it is installed upside down allowing gravity to pull it out in an iffy situation. Anyone do a work around for this one?

Arr

Click to expand...

really you 500 / 600k out of a 300 tdi

Read my post today about Discomania's 90, with 15J Sherpa Landy engine.
He broke the timing belt yesterday at 65 mph on the motorway.
I towed him here.
He drove it away again today ... under forty quid for bits, but wait till he sees my labour charges bill!

Five pushrods mangled ...... but all it needed was eight of those and a new belt. and some tender loving attentions with a few spanners and hammers.

Lucky?

I told him to buy a lottery ticket on his way home!

CharlesY