Peugeot/Citroen ES9, Renault L7X 3.0 V6 Cambelt Replacement

How to replace the Timing or Cambelt on a ES9J4S engine fitted to a 2001 Citroen C5 3.0 V6
This engine and its older incarnation the ES9 has been used in a wide range of PSA cars and also Renaults. Models fitted include the Xantia, C5, C6 and some European market C8’s, later 605’s, 406, 607, & 407. Renault have fitted this engine to the Laguna Avantime and as far as I know the Clio V6 uses the same engine.
Its not a particularly difficult belt to change just time consuming and on the Citroen hindered by a lack of room because of the suspension pump.
I have detailed how to make any special tools for this engine, because I had already spent enough on the timing belt kit, and also because there are not many sources of locking tools for this engine. If you do need any more details on making anything I show in this video I can provide more information and CAD files if required. Unfortunately i don’t have the time to make anyone the locking tools I feature in the video.
With regards costs this is not a cheap job, even doing it myself here is what I spent:
New SKF belt kit with water pump, tensioner and idler pulleys £300
New Auxiliary belt idler pulley £25
Bearing and Circlip for home made Auxiliary belt tensioner £8
(a new Auxiliary belt tensioner is about £60 so I choose to have a new pulley machined rather than buy a whole new tensioner)
Antifreeze £7
Materials to make up locking tools £10
In total this has cost about £350, that is on a car which cost me £290 last year. Owning a V6 C5 is not the cheapest form of motoring but I like the car so don’t mind spending this on it, just be aware of this potential cost when considering a car with this engine.
Labour times would add a significant cost to this Job, it took me about a month to do this Job. However that was working in the evenings and included the filming process.
I hope this video gives an insight into what is involved, if tackling this job on your car find out as much information as possible, find dealer manuals on changing the belt, watch other videos, read through forums. I have tried to include as much information as I could about doing this job, just make sure you feel confident about doing it before starting into changing the belt.