Just curious as someone mentioned on here about a 'belt snapping' and it doing no damage to the engine due to being non-interference. And I'm sure it was about a 1.2 Panda like the one I'm soon to be getting.

Is it true that the if the belt snapped no damage would be done?

I've heard so many people with horror stories about how this happened and it meant new engine or new car and as a 19 year old stuck for money I sincerely hope it wouldn't happen to me!

The Panda I'm getting is 2005, I don't believe it's ever had any belt replaced but it's at 86,000 miles. I read on Fiats site that a Panda has a 72,000 mile replacement interval for the belt ( not sure if this is for the 2012+ model as it didn't specify )

If I can afford to leave it (and not risk it destroying my engine if worst case scenario - a break - did happen) then I will, but get it replaced when it's more appropriate for my budget.

Thanks for your replies in advance!

Your engine would be the 'non-interference' engine. There are two schools of thought:


1. Hurry and replace it or the world will end


2. Meh


I'm in the latter school. I had a belt snap on a FIAT Uno (before you were born). I figured that was the time to replace it - having never done one myself before. Spend your time figuring out to do it yourself just in case.

Only the 100hp and much later 69hp models are interference engines.
The 69hp has a revised head and some sort of phased cam that altered it.

The 54hp and 60hp's are not, so no damage will occur if the belt snaps.
The diesels are chain.

I've ran various Fiat FIREs that are not interference for many many years and perhaps 3 or 4 hundred thousand miles and not once have I replaced the belt or had one snap!

My opinion with these is keep the oil clean and don't fix what ain't broke, and it's worked for me since 1986!

Cam belts are not just mileage change items but time too - it should be changed at five years regardless of mileage.

So there is a cam belt, which does what?
And the timing belt? (which keeps everything happening on time, I understand that one)

Cam belts and timing belts are the same thing.
Big belt at the opposite end from gearbox, under a cover that times the camshaft to the crankshaft.

Some cars, like the Panda diesel won't have a belt, but a chain that shouldn't need attention.

There will also be a fan belt, though they don't usually run the fans anymore.
These are also known as auxilary belt or alternator belt and will often power the alternator and if fitted, the air con pump
On some cars, the PAS pump as well (but not the Panda, the steering is electrically assisted)

As already mentioned, the 1.1 (54hp) and the 1.2 (60hp) versions of the Panda are non interference engines, so if the cam/timing belt snaps and the cam and crank are no longer timed correctly, the valves and pistons will not smash together.
Later 69hp versions are interference and will result in major damage if the cam/timing belt snaps.

There has been a recent discussion about which engines are interference and which aren't. Opinion is divided, so no definitive answer, but I'd always understood the 1.2 of your vintage to be safe.

At that age it is recommended that the belt be replaced. When replacing the belt, it is good to also replace the water pump, as this is driven by the cambelt. They do occasionally fail, or leak, and replacement means belt change too, so doing it all together is good practice. But this does add the cost of the pump and new coolant. Always replace the tensioner too.

My advice, it needs doing, as soon as you can afford it. Get some quotes and save the pennies. Meanwhile enjoy the car.

portland_bill I will get some quotes from Fiat and other dealers for this!