3D printed items page

[Julian]

I've yet to print and use these tools but as I've had the good fortune to have another cam belt shred and wipe out 50% of the rocker gear, so I thought I'd take the opportunity to draw up  a couple of the special tools required whilst the engine was in bits again.

http://www.biopowered.co.uk/wiki/3D_Printed_parts_and_spares#Land_Rover_300_tdi_injection_pump_and_flywheel_locking_tools

Once printed, I'll replace a couple of graphics with photos.

[Tony]

That's bad news   3D printed parts are tough enough for the job are they?  ABS I take it?

[Julian]

Don't know!  If I take the entry down you'll know it hasn't worked.  Just need to make some slight dimension changes and I'll give it a go.

I'll print it in PLA ... it's quite a big bulk and I'll use three external layers.  From experience to date PLA can take quite a force.

If it works it's a brilliant demonstration of 3DP usefulness.  Commercial kits are about £50.00.  Plastic for this is probably less than a quid.

[Jamesrl]

From experience to date PLA can take quite a force.

It certainly can, I been repairing folding subs benches with printed parts, both ABS and PLA and both are outlasting the original parts. There's an 8mm threaded hole in the centre of each piece and as yet none have stripped out and I can put a fair torque on a posi screw.

[Julian]

Disco is back on the road ... whilst putting it back together again I realised I've replaced the cam belt more times than I've filled it at a petrol station ... strange world!

Waiting for the parts to arrive, yesterday I printed the the IP and flywheel locking tools.  Flywheel tool works fine, but I didn't  get to remove the pump.  I tested that the IP tool fits and I'm pretty sure it'll work, so I'll leave the files in place until we can prove otherwise.

I've updated the 3D page with photos of the printed tools and replaced the graphics with ones of a less anemic colour.

[Jamesrl]

I realised I've replaced the cam belt more times than I've filled it at a petrol station ... strange world!

Ah! Perhaps that's your problem, shouldn't you be filling it with diesel?

[Tony]

Must be all that filling the cambelt cover with petrol that's the problem then!

[Julian]

Note to self ... try and be more specific with your posts in future to account for the pedantic members.

That said, the cam belt housing and belt were liberally doused in bio a little while back and it didn't appear to have any deleterious effect on the belt.

[Jamesrl]

That said, the cam belt housing and belt were liberally doused in bio a little while back and it didn't appear to have any deleterious effect on the belt.

There may not have been any deleterious effect but are you sure the bio wasn't detrimental as far as the belt goes?

[Julian]

Yes I'm sure, the belt material seem unaffected.

The problem was two thirds of it's width was missing, transformed into black fluff by rubbing on the housing cover.  I'm amazed that it didn't break sooner.  It's definitely testament to the quality of cheap timing belts ... I think it was around 8 quid!

[Jamesrl]

.. I think it was around 8 quid!

Is that different to a square or even a triangular 8 quid?

( read note to self )

[Julian]

.. I think it was around 8 quid!

Is that different to a square or even a triangular 8 quid?

( read note to self )

(take heed of my note to self)

To refer to something as being circular you would use two words i.e.  "a round".  "Around" has a specific meaning which has little to do with things circular.

If you keep making a nuisance of yourself I'll get the nurse to stop your Horlicks.

[Tony]

Yes I'm sure, the belt material seem unaffected.

The problem was two thirds of it's width was missing, transformed into black fluff by rubbing on the housing cover.  I'm amazed that it didn't break sooner.  It's definitely testament to the quality of cheap timing belts ... I think it was around 8 quid!

I'm amazed by that as well, given the effect of bio on other rubber compounds.  I suspect it may be luck of the draw with belt materials; though they do all claim oil and heat resistance they can't all be the same.

8 quid is a bargain, the last timing belt kit I bought (came with tensioner and idler pulleys) cost about £75, and the rear pump belt on the Largo is £36 alone.

[Julian]

The new belt was about (note the selective use words) 8 quid, so the old one was likely to be the same.  It's the cost of all the top end moving parts and replacement pulleys that gets expensive ... total cost this time almost (and again) 100 quid including a spare belt and air filter.

I'll chop up the old belt, what's left of it, and stick samples in a jar with some bio ... it'll be interesting to see if there are any long term effects.