Well I’m pleased to say she’s running again! This is actually the second belt failure on this van. 1st one was self inflicted by reaching 160k miles and not knowing when (or if) the belt had been changed before – guess I found out the hard way! Looks like the cam back cover caused this one to go as its broken and been flapping about rubbing the belt. The broken belt was half the width of the new one! For time being I’ve ripped the bottom cover off altogether.

When the first belt went it broke 4 rockers but also bent 2 valves. The rockers fitted at that time were big thick chunky ones but luckily for me I replaced them all with genuine GM rockers which look a lot thinner in the middle so probably saved valve damage this time.

I used a cam tool that fits on the end and locks it into position. Think I supposed to use a dial gauge to fine adjust it but sod it, it runs without going bang so guess I’m close enough :-) Now I know it runs I’ll invest in a new timing belt tensioner pulley.

Hey how do you go about using a strobe to adjust the pump timing? I gone over heaps of info, but never heard of that being done on the X17DTL before, only using a dial gauge (which of course I don't have).

Mine turns over OK and will run (poorly) with diesel start stuff sprayed into the turbo, but wont fire up. I noticed diesel staurating one of the leak-off tubes which were are fairly new and were nice and dry previously.

I think I am really close to getting it going but need to tweek something - like maybe pump timing...?

Mobile mechanic figured its as though its out 1/2 tooth but if he adjusted it would just be out 1/2 the other way. Tried talking to him about TIS 2000 or Autodata timing instructions but he didn't seem to think it was important (no offense but he's not a diesel specialist and probably never worked on a X17DTL before).

Cheers, Paul