Seeing as though my 500 is due a timing belt about a month ago and I'm not going to pay a dealer to do it and I don't want some tippex wielding independent to do it I'm considering buying a timing tool set.


Was wondering what people would think about having a service whereby people pay a deposit (basically the cost of the tool which would of course be refunded upon safe return of aforementioned tools) as well as a small fee to cover postage and packing and a little on top of that.


Do things like this actually work? Would anyone actually be interested? Is it just going to end up in tears?


Not really wanting to make any great deal of money out of it or something, just want to subsidise the cost for myself and offer a service for people


Tagging John just in case it's against forum rules..... jrkitching

You might be interested in this ad. Not so sure if there's been much interest shown, though....
fingers99...?

homeward said:

You might be interested in this ad. Not so sure if there's been much interest shown, though....

@fingers99...?

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Ah, already been done no need to do it twice! Just out of curiosity have there been many takers fingers99?

Oh wait, that's the 16v kit, I need the 8v kit. Still, have there been many takers?

306maxi said:

Tagging John just in case it's against forum rules

Click to expand...

No issue as far as I am concerned - just put an entry in the classifieds like fingers99 has done with the 16V kit.

I was thinking just the other day that it must be about time for the older 500's to be due for a cambelt swap.

You might want to have a read of this thread.

Hi Guys

Had Mine done at this years annual service by the local fiat/alpha independent specialist (Mc Ewans in Derby), cost me £120 on top of the service charge, had the water pump changed at the same time for an extra 35 quid.

Cam belts are the one thing I stay away from.

muttleysdad said:

Hi Guys

Had Mine done at this years annual service by the local fiat/alpha independent specialist (Mc Ewans in Derby), cost me £120 on top of the service charge, had the water pump changed at the same time for an extra 35 quid.

Cam belts are the one thing I stay away from.

Click to expand...

Yes, McEwans, having used their services twice (once for a cambelt/waterpump change on my Saab - yes, the 1.9 tid in the Saab is a Fiat engine! and the other for a service on our old POP) they are in my opinion, very good. His workshop is quite possibly THE cleanest I've ever seen. A total credit to him and his team.

306maxi said:

Oh wait, that's the 16v kit, I need the 8v kit. Still, have there been many takers?

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AFAIK you need the 8V VVT kit,



whereas the old-tech 8V's don't really need any tools,


charlie

varesecrazy said:

AFAIK you need the 8V VVT kit,

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Yup, something like this one (not an endorsement - I just found it using a quick random search).

Make sure the set you buy specifically covers the 169A400 engine.

jrkitching said:

Yup, something like this one (not an endorsement - I just found it using a quick random search).

Make sure the set you buy specifically covers the 169A400 engine.

Click to expand...

Yeah, s4p does the correct tool, would probably just buy from them

306maxi said:

Yeah, s4p does the correct tool, would probably just buy from them

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That's a good find, Maxi - the S4P one is much cheaper and if you study the two photos, looks to be exactly the same piece of kit, only with the foam insert reversed!

306maxi said:

Seeing as though my 500 is due a timing belt about a month ago......

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I'm assuming here you are going to replace the waterpump at the same time? Sadly, too many people fail to do this and suffer the consequences later, but I'm sure you know that.

I see the genuine timing belt kit from S4P is a very good price. I also see that the waterpump from S4P (55221397) is also a good price too.

Not something I'd do myself, but good on yer for wanting to give it a go, although if you've previous experience of doing it, then it'll be a cinch!

frupi said:

I'm assuming here you are going to replace the waterpump at the same time? Sadly, too many people fail to do this and suffer the consequences later, but I'm sure you know that.

I see the genuine timing belt kit from S4P is a very good price. I also see that the waterpump from S4P (55221397) is also a good price too.

Not something I'd do myself, but good on yer for wanting to give it a go, although if you've previous experience of doing it, then it'll be a cinch!

Click to expand...

Yeah, would do, but would probably choose my own bits rather than buy a cheapie kit

306maxi said:

Yeah, would do, but would probably choose my own bits rather than buy a cheapie kit

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Slightly confused by that statement, are you talking about the genuine timing belt kit or the waterpump?

Bugatti waterpumps for instance have been around for 40 years and are used by many in the trade as replacements.

Like you say though, it is your decision about what parts you use but in terms of the timing belt kit, all you'll be doing is replacing like for like genuine equipment.

Gates belt, skf everything else

We use gates belts and loads of skf stuff at work and the only problems we have with those bits are the monkeys putting them together.....

Yup, fair enough, both brands well known and solid.

My Saab 1.9 has just had a genuine Fiat cambelt and waterpump fitted and that is running fine. The entire kit came in at £85, which I thought was bloody good from a Fiat dealer.

Oh, forgot to mention a full coolant change while your at it... Remember, coolant is long life, not 'For life'