Timing belt help

[overeem]

Hi, ive a standard 1988 1.2 merit, I didnt check the antifreeze and whilst starting it, the core plug popped out and it wouldnt start, just turns over, checked the timing belt some of the teeth are missing and I,m not sure if the engine is knackered, I just want to change the cambelt without changing the waterpump, just to see if it starts and sounds o.k. Is it possible to remove and replace the cambelt without taking the waterpump off? can i just stretch the old belt off? and new one on? haven't changed a timing belt before, any particular tools needed? would appreciate any help. Thanks

[mowgli]

The engine should not have suffered internal damage from the belt failing, it should be ok, but if it got cold enough to pop core plugs out, then i'm 99% certain the head gasket will fail very soon. But as for fitting the new belt, its a case of lining up the 2 timing marks, slackening off the water pump (this usually knackers the pump so think about getting a new one) and fitting the new belt, then tightening it up on the water pump. The haynes book will cover it step by step. You might need a biggish set of grips to turn the water pump, and when getting the new belt, take the old one with you, as there are different profile teeth on 1200 engines

[swedge]

for the price of a new water pump you may as well change it