Here we go again...

I've just been trying to order a timing belt kit from paddocks, and my 96 Disco 300tdi VIN seems to indicate that I need the earlier type kit, though I've been told it's better to have the later type if possible.

My vin is SALLJGMF7TA1638XX although the lady I just spoke to at paddocks said I could use this upgrade: part number STC4096L (paddockspares.com/stc4096l-camshaft-kit.html) if I had the earlier type and hadn't been upgraded yet, but I'd need to take the pulleys and cover off to check!

Is there another way to check?

The options are:

Early type: paddockspares.com/timingkit300e-300tdi-early-type
Late type: paddockspares.com/timingkit300l-300tdi-late-type
'Upgrade' Camshaft kit: (??!) paddockspares.com/stc4096l-camshaft-kit

And of course, they get more expensive if they're not the late type!
Any advice guys?

Lastly, if the 'upgrade'/camshaft kit id the way to go, what exacly is entailed in fitting it and does it contain everything that a normal belt kit does in addition to the upgrade bits?

Fanks
Fred

The best way to check is take the timing cover off and look what's there...
Don't fit the early type kit, either later or the upgrade.

I recently fitted a later type timing belt kit along with an 'upgrade' kit. From memory the only extra bit was I changed the crank pulley, but I was doing that anyway to do the crank seal as well. It can be a bit of a pig to get the crank pulley off sometimes

On another note, I wouldn't fit any of those kits as they have britpart tensioners in them. Not saying I have experience of that particular part failing, but I have much greater peace of mind knowing I've fitted a good quality tensioner to mine.

Britpart can't always be that bad, and it comes with a dayco belt which is OEM quality.

Just a thought, if I order the upgrade kit but mine then turns out to have already been upgraded, I can just use the belt and tensioners can't I?

Good luck.

Yes, you could do that with the upgrade kit.

Very diplomatic JM!!