Timing belt in right position?

mgtfbluestreak wrote: to check the belt position on a mgtf is simplicity in itself......you will suprise yourself............the hardest part is getting that engine cover off..................has anyone on here done any mods for a safe but quicker release............i use a ratchet spanner but still feel ive been messing around far to long before ive even seen the engine

I undo all of them a touch, then whiz them off with my drill/driver! Apart from the three annoying ones under the Back sub box, which require fingers like chopsticks!

yes like you said those tricky ones are the problem.........i would like to gander more often around the engine bay but the rigmarole of taking the panel off makes it a little less often..............i should imagine a lot of engine failures are due to this.....never mind hey

I have 3 latch clips, the seem to work fine, we've done over 4k since I fitted them with no issues although 98% have been roof down.

are latch clips simmular or the same has the catches holding the hood down at the rear?

I know this is an old thread, but this post saved my sanity after trying for 2 hours to fit a new belt ! Fitting it just on the edge of the pulleys and holding it in place with so card definitely the way to go ! Thanks so much.

Not sure why you didnt start a new thread as youve just compelled us poor regulars to wade through 2 pages of a 10 year old post !
But enough of my moaning and lets look at your issue. Are you absolutely sure first off that you have the correct cam belt for your variant and engine size as there are 2 different lengths of cambelt. Does yours have a manual or automatic tensioner.. 1.6 or 1.8, early MEMS1.9 setup with a distributor or MEMS3, MPI or VVC. Lets start with what your car is and what parts you have bought ?

 

It helps to wind the crank back half a tooth, to put it on.

then when the tension is taken up, it all lines up