Hello all.

Well, the mighty 100HP reaches its 3rd birthday in January, currently after 57, 000 so far happy miles together.

Fiat finance deal ends - and while I could do with a bigger car (wife, 14 year old son and two years and three month old daughter) I want to keep the beast.

I'll be in the scary double whammy of 60k service and first MOT though. My wallet is wilting already.

So, my question is - when is the cam belt change due, and anyone have an idea of cost? Ta in advance.

(I did try 'search', but it's a bugger to navigate on my phone).

It's in your handbook under the service details, 5 years or 72 thousand miles, whichever comes soonest. Prices seem to vary from £150 to £280+ - Guess it pays to shop around, whilst avoiding the main dealers like the proverbial. If you're out of warranty at MOT & service time, go to an indie, MUCH cheaper than Fiat...

Read the manual? That's crazy talk.

Ta for the reply!

Fiat sevicing prices do seem to vary. Quotes for the 48k one ranged from £160 to £280, and an indie only quoted a few quid less.

Pandablues said:

It's in your handbook under the service details, 5 years or 72 thousand miles, whichever comes soonest. Prices seem to vary from £150 to £280+ - Guess it pays to shop around, whilst avoiding the main dealers like the proverbial. If you're out of warranty at MOT & service time, go to an indie, MUCH cheaper than Fiat...

Click to expand...

I would take the 5 yrs / 72K with a pinch of salt,
probably worth getting the waterpump checked for leaks too while it's all apart,
that way you'll get another 3 years without major upset,
and if you go to a reputable specialist at least the work will actually have been done..
Charlie

A "pinch of salt"? In what way though? You mean ignore Fiat's recommendations and carry on 'till it snaps? Or change it when you feel like?
The time/mileage is, apparantly, based upon the estimated life span of modern belt material which hardens as it ages and is then much more prone to breakage. So I've been told. Dunno, on my old cars, prior to this Panda, I've neither had to change a belt nor had one go despite some alrmingly high mileages, but I think I'd prefer to trust the experts these days. You takes yer chance I s'pose and I was answering the question as asked.

Pandablues said:

A "pinch of salt"? In what way though? You mean ignore Fiat's recommendations and carry on 'till it snaps? Or change it when you feel like?
The time/mileage is, apparantly, based upon the estimated life span of modern belt material which hardens as it ages and is then much more prone to breakage. So I've been told. Dunno, on my old cars, prior to this Panda, I've neither had to change a belt nor had one go despite some alrmingly high mileages, but I think I'd prefer to trust the experts these days. You takes yer chance I s'pose and I was answering the question as asked.

Click to expand...

All the Alfa's were scheduled for 72 K , until a large proportion let go around the 40k mark , it's now regarded as a 32K job..,
I'd rather "waste" a couple of hundred quid on an early belt change than risk a trashed engine.

Get it in for it's first MOT before your warranty runs out, then if any issues arise that should/could be sorted under the warranty, it won't be too late!

I'd say that cambelt changes are a tradeoff between risk, cost & consequences.

The risk of belt failure increases with age & mileage; remember also the additional risk of collateral failure on cars where the water pump shares the same drive.

The cost of replacement obviously depends on how you choose to get the job done; parts are cheap, so if you've the skills a DIY change will cost you very little; by contrast, a franchised dealer may well ask for something north of £200.

The consequences depend on whether or not the car has an interference engine - the 1.4 does, and so a belt failure will likely cause substantial engine damage which could run into 4 figures; the 1.2 does not, limiting the damage to recovery to a place of repair and a new belt.

Making an intelligent decision means balancing all of the above and taking a view on the level of risk (whether that be cost or simply inconvenience) you are prepared to accept. Changing the belt ahead of time on a 1.4 may be a sensible insurance, especially if you can get it done cheaply; if you've got free recovery, stretching things (pardon the pun) on a 1.2 will at worst only cost you the inconvenience of a breakdown.

Following the manufacturers recommendation is always a good place to start. Doing so is necessary if you want the benefit of any warranty & should ensure you have only a tiny chance of encountering a cambelt failure.

varesecrazy said:

All the Alfa's were scheduled for 72 K , until a large proportion let go around the 40k mark , it's now regarded as a 32K job..,
I'd rather "waste" a couple of hundred quid on an early belt change than risk a trashed engine.

Click to expand...

:yeahthat: Fiat revised it to 36k miles or 36months I've been informed. My Stilo with the same running gear I get changed every 50k/3years which ever is first just for personal piece of mind more than anything else

deleted

Gavv8 said:

deleted

Click to expand...

Nope, I can still see it :nerner:

just had mine changed at 118k Km (abt 74K Miles)
It was DEFINITELY in need of a new belt - the old one showed bad cracking and chucks out of some of the teeth. I would suggest 50K miles is a good time to change - that will be my own personal guide after seeing this belt ...

It is normal for the tensioner and water-pump to be replaced a the same time as the timing belt (usually comes in the kit), also may as well do the alternator belt as well. just consider it insurance - its not something you do every day.
If you are mechanically minded and have the time and 'flexibility' , then it is a fairly simple diy job. I am at the age where bending and twisting is now relegated to the upper floors.. - for cambelts I pay the man to do it.

and, ALWAYS ask for ALL the old parts back. It is good to know they actually DID the job, unless you really trust the garage / dealer.. there are a lot of naughty boys about, the main dealers tend to be safe though.
Price was 280 Euros for Cambelt, Water pump, tensioner, oil change, air and oil filters, new NGK plugs. New aux belt. (that was at a main dealer).
Cheap as chips really.
A tow off the motorway with a failed belt in Southampton 10 years ago cost me nearly 200 squids. !! - that was not a fiat though..

A lot also depends on how long you intend to keep the car - ours is 10 years old now and still looks like brand new and runs that way too, and we want to keep it for at least another 15 years or more and enjoy it and have full confidence in it. and we see no reason why we should not. If you were only keeping it a short time, or changed cars often, then it is less of a concern to you.
You are often hit with a series of expenses at one time, but they only happen (usually !) once every 3 to 5 years.

Most Easterly Pandas said:

Nope, I can still see it :nerner:

Click to expand...

I meant to copy and paste it in to a newer thread but accidentally re-posted it here.

varesecrazy said:

I would take the 5 yrs / 72K with a pinch of salt,
probably worth getting the waterpump checked for leaks too while it's all apart,
that way you'll get another 3 years without major upset,
and if you go to a reputable specialist at least the work will actually have been done..
Charlie

Click to expand...

Thanks for the useful suggestions, but how should I adapt the suggestions if the mileage is really low, 20.000 Kim's, after 5 years for a Panda 1.2 ?

EGarcia said:

Thanks for the useful suggestions, but how should I adapt the suggestions if the mileage is really low, 20.000 Kim's, after 5 years for a Panda 1.2 ?

Click to expand...

Hi, and welcome,

the "rubber" construction of the timing belt will degrade over time,

however.., as found in MANY motorhomes.. it's INACTIVITY that will take the heaviest toll,
especially with the roller bearing that acts as a "tensioner" on the rear face of the belt.

if the bearing degrades,( corrodes / rusts) it will often get HOT,
partially seize ( not turn as quickly as the belts surface..) therefore rubbing / heating the belt until the belt BREAKS / shreds.

the waterpump is more of a corrosion risk - leading to the cooling water getting into bearings . accelerating wear.. IF the free play / "runout" of the waterpumps driven toothed wheel becomes excessive it can also damage the belt..
( as well as leaking the engines precious cooling fluid):bang:

so I would take 5 years as a MAXIMUM - irrespective of miles / KM's travelled

I hope that helps,
Charlie

Garage that did mine said he'd never seen a belt snap on a F.I.R.E engine as its way too chunky, also reckoned the water pump is good for at least 100000 miles but I had mine done as it seemed like common sense.

Thx. Note taken! Even though my low mileage isn't due to standing for long periods; it gets used every work day, but for short distances, 4kms in the morning and again in the afternoon.

Autodata says 40k or 4 years, depending on which comes 1st.

I had mine done at Sturgess in Leicester (where i bought the car)

They did it for 245

Just bought a Fiat Panda 1.1 Active, 2005 with 74,000 miles. Previous owner had regular services so I hoped to keep them up. As it is overdue its 70k service I went to dealer for service price. Told would need new cambelt so service price is £700. (I paid £800, every penny I could muster, for this car).

Q is obviously is this an accurate price or did they see a middle aged woman and rub their hands together with glee. I am devastated that I am in this situation. £700 is not an option.
All responses / suggestions appreciated.

puligan said:

Just bought a Fiat Panda 1.1 Active, 2005 with 74,000 miles. Previous owner had regular services so I hoped to keep them up. As it is overdue its 70k service I went to dealer for service price. Told would need new cambelt so service price is £700. (I paid £800, every penny I could muster, for this car).

Q is obviously is this an accurate price or did they see a middle aged woman and rub their hands together with glee. I am devastated that I am in this situation. £700 is not an option.
All responses / suggestions appreciated.

Click to expand...

Hi, and welcome,
they are tough little basic engines,

if it's been well looked after to date, then you'll really just want a basic service ;
oil, oil filter and airfilter @ @£50 to £80

cambelt is simple.. kit is @£35 + waterpump and fitting = £120 /£180

eg.http://www.eurocarparts.com/timing-belt-kit

http://www.eurocarparts.com/water-pump-gasket

prices mainly depend on labour rate of who does the work

get a few quotes from local places.., small independant garages, and national chains like KwikFit , National Tyres, etc



Charlie - Oxford,
1.1 active 2004 - 12 years of faithful service