You don't need to go to Fiat for this as said, but I'd personally advise not going to kwik fit/national tyres etc, I've seen the questionable quality of their fitting many times before. The cam belt and water pump is a simple job on the wonderful FIRE engine, it took me just less than an hour to swap the lot on my mums, outside my house last week. And that included a tea break. Can't fix cars without tea.

How I need a friend like you:worship: I don't suppose you live in Merseyside? Cos I make brilliant tea:wave:

Asa James said:

The cam belt and water pump is a simple job on the wonderful FIRE engine, it took me just less than an hour to swap the lot on my mums, outside my house last week. And that included a tea break. Can't fix cars without tea.

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Knutsford, so not a million miles away

Ive just agreed to buy a 1.2 Panda Dynamic with air con 07 plate with 35K (miles) on the clock. The car is costing me £2000. Last service a year ago states 32K. Basic service is in the price (presume oil and filter).

The dealer has offered to change the cam belt as its well overdue but he'd not priced it into the deal so asking £200. He says he will change all pulleys belt etc. I didn't ask about the drive belt (alternator etc).

I'm tempted to get it home and DIY but the car is now 9 years old and has to be driven 100 miles home so I'm having second thoughts on the DIY belt idea.

Eurocarparts.com shows Circoli Water Pump at £27 or Airtex at £38.50
Why the cost difference?

Dayco timing belt kits are £28 or £47.50.
Again why the big cost difference?

Drive belt either £7 or £12. The web page doesn't say but I guess the £12 is for the air con version (like mine).

Assuming the lower cost options I'd be looking at under £70 for parts. The engine was amazingly quiet so I'm not planning to change the drive belt tensioner. Nearly £60 suggests they are not often swapped out.

Can anyone suggest the labour costs for cam belt kit and new drive belt?

Labour from a garage no more than 2 hours, At whatever they charge. You can get a Gates timing belt kit with tensioner and water pump four around £75, I've always used gates in the past without issue, it's what I fitted on my mums '12 plate last week, and I have one ready for my 100hp when I get round to it.

Also bear in mind if they do the water pump, get some nice fresh coolant back in there

Asa James said:

Knutsford, so not a million miles away

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So could you be tempted :tempt:for a small fee and all the tea and bacon butties :yum:you can eat? I am in New Brighton, Wirral.

DaveMcT said:

I'm tempted to get it home and DIY but the car is now 9 years old and has to be driven 100 miles home so I'm having second thoughts on the DIY belt idea.

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It's a non-interference engine, so in the worst case you'll just be stranded at the side of the road. I'd avoid thrashing it until the belt is changed, but I'd have no worries about driving it home.

Hi Thanks.

The original plan was for me to take my wife to collect the car on the motorbike - she hardly gets chance to ride these days. But although only 100 miles it's often congested so can be a 3 hour run - each way. That raises child care issues so she's going by train with the kids and driving the car home.

The dealer is doing the cam belt, water pump, tensioners, etc for £200 so while I could do the job easily enough it's better the car is sorted before she takes it home.

Thanks for your help. One reason for buying the Panda is it's simplicity and non nonsense engineering.

Dave

OK, had cam belt and water pump replaced and I am now in a panic. What should the cam belt look like? I realise rubber with one smooth side and one ridged side but garage gave me my old one back. It is perfect, no missing ridges and IMMACULATLY, SPOTLESSLY clean. Should it be filthy, grimy etc? I am convinced he has given me a new one so what has he fitted? If I go back and ask he is bound to say "of course I fitted a new one, that's your old one"

Sorry for being so girly, I don't do it very often but need advice please.
TYVM

It shouldn't be dirty or grimey or else it wouldn't have been working properly in the first place.

leroya500 said:

It shouldn't be dirty or grimey or else it wouldn't have been working properly in the first place.

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But there is no sign of any wear at all. The car has 74K and previous owner has just confirmed can belt never replaced before.

Sound right, if it's dirty there would be an issue, it's designed to be as sealed and uncontaminated as possible. Is the smoothie side polished and shiny or does it have perfectly clear writing on it?

For comparison, this came off a 2012 57,000 mile 1.2 a week or so ago

Asa James said:

Sound right, if it's dirty there would be an issue, it's designed to be as sealed and uncontaminated as possible. Is the smoothie side polished and shiny or does it have perfectly clear writing on it?

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the tensioner runs against the SMOOTH face..
so visible writing normally points at a belt in useable condition..,

the one ASA shows is typical of @60K - in my experience

Thank you guys, feel so much better now.

I agree about the water pump. Had one belt hanged on a Renault some years ago only to hve the pump fail a week later. I gave the main dealer who did not recommend the pump be changed my profuse thanks for their astounding professionalism. ALWAYS chage the water pump when you do the timing belt they are only £35 or so. Main dealer charged £2250 to do this job including the water pump a year or two back but I have been quoted £150 by a local garage with a great reputation. Yjr last belt on our Leon 1.4 including the water pump was £127!

My Panda 1.2 is a 2007 with 35K miles, but I've changed the cam belt. Age can do more damage than miles. The engine should survive a failed belt, but its just not worth the hassle of blowing the belt for the sake of £200 (or less) fitted.

petercresswell said:

Main dealer charged £2250 to do this job including the water pump a year or two back but I have been quoted £150 by a local garage with a great reputation. Yjr last belt on our Leon 1.4 including the water pump was £127!

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I'd like to think this is a typo, but with some main dealers...

Yes stuttery old fingers... I am sorry for giving the dealers bad ideas. "59 would be nearer the mark.

or even £250