I've read so many conflicting answers to this question - ranging from 36k/3years to 72k/5years.

Anyway, had a lengthy chat with the service chaps at Research Fiat today who confirmed that it's 72k/5years.

At what point has everyone else changed theirs?

I will change it at 60k as i've done on my previous cars. How much do dealers charge for this..?

The service/warranty book I have here which is valid from July 2009 says 72k miles/5 years or 4 years if it's been used under harsh conditions like loks of small journeys in winter and so on....

I am going to change mine with only 4'5 years and 30000 kms ( not miles ).
You will say that they are too low kms, but this car has to be with me a lot of years.
I will change timing belt kit + pump water + accesories belt. In Spain it costs to me in official service 310 €.

Wh1TeSn4Ke said:

I am going to change mine with only 4'5 years and 30000 kms ( not miles ).
You will say that they are too low kms, but this car has to be with me a lot of years.
I will change timing belt kit + pump water + accesories belt fitted and in Spain it costs to me in official service 310 €.

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When the mileage is that low the belt should be changed. Tbh I wouldn't change the water pump at that time though.

306maxi said:

When the mileage is that low the belt should be changed. Tbh I wouldn't change the water pump at that time though.

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At first i did not want to change the water pump with these kms, but it's only 60 €. I think it's worth it.
300 € for 5 years it's only 60 €/year and you can be sure that your car won't have any problem with that.
Yeah, it's possible that the original belt with these low can last more years, but well, i want to be more sure ...

ryanM said:

Anyway, had a lengthy chat with the service chaps at Research Fiat today who confirmed that it's 72k/5years.

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get them to back it up with a written promise that they will pay for all repairs if it breaks sooner, i bet they wont

dave said:

get them to back it up with a written promise that they will pay for all repairs if it breaks sooner, i bet they wont

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:yeahthat:

The real question is what would you rather, £200 every 36k/36months, or a bills for 5 times that +?

Why shouldn't I trust my dealer with the service intervals that they advise?

Surely, there is a liability on Fiat to ensure that the service intervals are safe - I don't see any reason why anyone wouldn't stick to the advised service schedule.

Quote from my dealer was £270 iirc (but that was just a timing belt & tensioner change) - Private garages were circa £100-£150 for labour (Timing belt was c.£30 from shop4parts.com)

As Dave had said, ask them to put it in writing, agreeing that they'll fix it FOC if it fails within the schedule. If they do then great, but it's unlikely they will. When they refuse ask yourself why.

You've asked us for our advice and opinions and we've given them, what you choose to do with that info is your choice though, but from your OP you seem uncertain as to if the book is correct, so why there certainty all of a sudden?

What Dave has said is fairly ridiculous really. People just like scaremongering on here. Seems to be the way with this forum. For example if you ever buy new tyres, if you put them on the front you will instantly die according to some here.

Weigh it up, make your choices, but stated manufacturer service intervals are a reasonable guide I think. Cam belts very rarely break in all honesty.

Ask how many people have snapped their cam belts if they were changed with in the 5 year/72K interval.

trackdayqueen said:

Weigh it up, make your choices, but stated manufacturer service intervals are a reasonable guide I think. Cam belts very rarely break in all honesty.

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:yeahthat:
Following the manufacturer's schedule is all you need to do really.

No garage is going to give you a written guarantee your car won't break or they'll fix it for free.

Geddes said:

:yeahthat:
Following the manufacturer's schedule is all you need to do really.

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the the manufacturer's schedule of who make the belts is what i have put above, the manufacturer of cars give longer times to make the running costs look better

Hello.

I have changed today the timing belt kit and water pump with coolant.
With 4'5 years and 31000 kms the timing belt was like if it was new obviouslly, but the water pump was not perfect.
300 € in a fiat official service.

For what it's worth... My opinion.

1) I agree with dave
2) Who pays for any damage caused by a failed cambelt once out of Warranty? You.... NOT the dealerships or Fiat.
3) I had mine done by choice at 52,000 miles & 3 years old. The belt had minor cracks & the water pump had lateral play in the bearings... there was no obvious sign of either before the stuff was replaced.
4) Dont ask if you dont value others experience or opinions, just do what you want... it is after all... YOUR CAR!

Ffoxy said:

For what it's worth... My opinion.

1) I agree with dave
2) Who pays for any damage caused by a failed cambelt once out of Warranty? You.... NOT the dealerships or Fiat.
3) I had mine done by choice at 52,000 miles & 3 years old. The belt had minor cracks & the water pump had lateral play in the bearings... there was no obvious sign of either before the stuff was replaced.
4) Dont ask if you dont value others experience or opinions, just do what you want... it is after all... YOUR CAR!

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My timing belt with 4'5 years sleeping in the street and only 30.000 kms was like if it was new ...
I am totally sure that the belt could have last more than ten years with not more than 70.000 kms or even more.
The 1.2 Panda of my sister with almost 8 years and 70.000 kms had the timing belt almost perfect when it was changed in January 2011.
The only thing that was not fine was the water pump and for that, I think that was a good idea to change the timing belt. If not, maybe i would have felt that was a money waste seeing the belt status.

Seriously guys & gals... rubber degrades over time... either dont use or replace as & when required or you WILL pay the consequences... do a search on here for "timing belt snapped" or "cambelt snapped"

Quick & dirty, not totally accurate but I see 13 pages of Posts where "cambelt snapped" is mentioned, & 9 pages of Posts mentioning "timing belt snapped"

So if you cant afford to maintain your belt driven cam car... either buy a chain driven car or as someone said earlier a bicycle...

At least dont moan when the belt does give up... personally I think it's like playing Russian roulette. At least it's not spectacularly dangerous, just an expense that can be avoided.

Ffoxy said:

Seriously guys & gals... rubber degrades over time... either dont use or replace as & when required or you WILL pay the consequences... do a search on here for "timing belt snapped" or "cambelt snapped"

Quick & dirty, not totally accurate but I see 13 pages of Posts where "cambelt snapped" is mentioned, & 9 pages of Posts mentioning "timing belt snapped"

So if you cant afford to maintain your belt driven cam car... either buy a chain driven car or as someone said earlier a bicycle...

At least dont moan when the belt does give up... personally I think it's like playing Russian roulette. At least it's not spectacularly dangerous, just an expense that can be avoided.

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It really isn't the cost of getting the timing belt that's the issue here - I have no problem with maintaining my car as necessary/required.

My issue lies with the conflicting information which I have received from so many different people. As mentioned before, there is a lot of scaremongering on this forum (which I've read on topics I am better informed on) and trying to decipher useful information from horror-stories.

I am not the sort of driver who spends £££ on new parts for my car each month - I maintain my car well, when necessary - using quality parts when the OEM item is due to be replaced. I really don't see why I shouldn't, like most other less informed motorists, follow the advice of the manufacturer/dealer.

Of course, I am playing devil's advocate with this question, but interesting to see the drastic differences in responses. For people looking for clear and useful advice, this really isn't useful.

this is why we have a thanks rating to make it easier for you to spot who is giving real life info and who is just stuck up their own arse.
there are enough posts on this and every other owners forums with stories of belts failing before original book time to make it not worth a gamble