TorqFix

TF 160 VVC timing belt — MG

TF 160 VVC timing belt on MG: 79 steps, engines 18K4F. What to remove, in what order, and what to check after.

Timing belt renewal on the MG TF 160 with the VVC version of the K-series, engine code 18K4F. Access is from the right-hand wheel arch: ancillary belt, crankshaft pulley and the timing belt covers come off, and on this engine the starter motor is removed so the crankshaft can be locked. With both camshafts held by the locking tool, the camshaft gearwheels come off together with the rear cover where needed. The new belt kit includes a pillar bolt and tensioner spring that are used to set tension on a cold engine; they come out again once the tensioner arm is locked. What makes or breaks the job is the camshaft timing marks lining up after two turns of the crank, and checking the tensioner and idler pulleys rather than trusting them.

79 steps 1 engine code

🧭 Before you start

Remove the ancillary belt, starter motor, crankshaft pulley and timing covers, lock the crankshaft and camshafts, and take off the old belt and camshaft gearwheels. Fit the new belt, set tension using the pillar bolt and spring from the kit, lock the tensioner arm, then turn the engine two turns and recheck the marks. Remove the pillar bolt and spring, refit covers, wheel and battery earth.

Fits: platform code 160

  • Timing position: the crankshaft or camshaft is set and locked during this job
  • Special tools named: locking tool

Don't miss

  • Check the timing marks before the old belt comes off.
  • Tension the belt only with the engine cold.
  • The pillar bolt and tensioner spring come with the new belt and are removed after tensioning.
  • Rotate the crankshaft clockwise two turns and recheck the marks; repeat if they sit outside the specified area.
  • Inspect the tensioner and idler pulleys and renew if there is any doubt.

Written for this job from the workshop steps below · TorqFix editorial.

🔧 Engine codes this applies to

18K4F

📐 39 workshop diagrams for 18K4F

Real factory drawings for this job — timing marks, bolt locations and routing. Locked in the free view.

TF 160 VVC timing belt — 18K4F · diagram 1
TF 160 VVC timing belt — 18K4F · diagram 2
TF 160 VVC timing belt — 18K4F · diagram 3
TF 160 VVC timing belt — 18K4F · diagram 4
TF 160 VVC timing belt — 18K4F · diagram 5
TF 160 VVC timing belt — 18K4F · diagram 6
TF 160 VVC timing belt — 18K4F · diagram 7
TF 160 VVC timing belt — 18K4F · diagram 8
+ 31 more diagrams
🔒 39 workshop diagrams for this job Ask about your MG 18K4F — free or sign up free to see the drawings

📋 Procedure

Preparation and removal

  1. Unless otherwise advised by the manufacturer, the following procedures are recommended:
  2. Always check the timing marks before timing belt removal
  3. Check the tensioner and idler pulleys; renew if necessary
  4. Crankshaft locking tool:
  5. Fit the locking tool
18K4F? Steps differ between engine variants — check this job against your exact car before you commit to it. Check my car — free →
  1. Remove the ancillary drive belt
  2. Remove the starter motor
  3. Check that the camshafts are locked
  4. Remove the crankshaft pulley
  5. Remove the timing belt lower cover
  6. Remove the timing belt
  7. Remove the rear timing belt cover
  8. Camshaft holding tool:
  9. Fit the locking tool
  10. Remove the camshaft gearwheels
  11. Remove the timing belt

Installation and checks

  1. Align the gearwheel
  2. Refit the bolts
  3. Note: The engine must be cold before timing belt adjustment
  4. Refit the rear timing belt cover
  5. Fit the pillar bolt
  6. Fit the tensioner spring
  7. Note: Pillar bolt and tensioner spring are supplied with the new timing belt
  8. Fit the timing belt
  9. Refit the crankshaft pulley
  10. Tensioner (bolt):
  11. Tighten the tensioner arm locking bolt
  12. Tensioner pulley:
  13. Wheel nuts
  14. Loosen the tensioner pulley bolt
  15. Loosen the tensioner arm locking bolt
  16. Push the tensioner pulley against the timing belt
  17. Tighten the tensioner arm locking bolt
  18. Remove the camshaft locking tool
  19. Rotate the crankshaft clockwise by 2 turns
  20. Check the timing marks
  21. Loosen the tensioner arm locking bolt
  22. Check that tension is applied to the belt
  23. Tighten the tensioner arm locking bolt
  24. Tighten the tensioner pulley mounting bolt
  25. Check the timing marks
  26. Note: Repeat the procedure if the marks are outside the specified area
  27. Remove the tensioner spring
  28. Remove the pillar bolt
  29. Refit the timing belt upper cover
  30. Refit the front right wheel
  31. Lower the vehicle
  32. Reconnect the battery earth cable
Workshop diagrams

Ask TorqFix about your MG 18K4F — it answers with the exact sequence for that engine and the workshop drawing for each step. First question is free after a 20-second sign-up, no card.

Ask about your MG 18K4F — free → or sign up free to see the drawings

Other MG procedures

Who makes these pages, and how

TorqFix was built by a mechanic — after a 2,700 km drive with five roadside repairs that no diagnostic tool could explain.

The figures on this page come from manufacturer workshop documentation and are shown as they are. The page is assembled automatically from that data — it is not written by an AI. The AI works in the chat, where it answers for your specific car. It writes nothing here.

Variants of the same model differ. Cross-check torque against the factory manual for your engine before final tightening.

Seen a figure that does not match your manual? Write to us — we correct it and note when. support@torqfix.com

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Workshop data on this page last updated 20 Sep 2026.