Hi Everyone,

I searched through the "guides" section and also used forum search to look for info on how to change cambelt/timing belt on the 1.2 16V engine in my 2000 punto but all I can see is lots of references to the info being in the Haynes manual, which I don't have.

Is there a how-to guide on the forum here or somewhere else online I could follow please? Also, is it a job a beginner mechanic can take on, or is there something tricky about it?

The car has only 110k km (67k miles) despite being 17 years old, but as far as I can see the timing belt was never changed so I think a precautionary change is overdue before the valves make some modern art on the head... thanks all

Hi Sverige and welcome :wave:
Definitely due a belt.
It's not very difficult but perhaps not the ideal first job for a beginner mechanic. You will need the timing belt kit and a water pump and a set of locking tools for the engine. If it's your first time be prepared to be without the car for a day maybe two.
It's doable but be prepared to do a lot of research and get the Haynes manual, it will pay for itself may times over.

You will not need particular fiat or ebay tools but you will need good quality right angled circlip pliers - 10 euro 10 year guarantee from Biltema, and a few long reach sockets - few euros each and the ability to take on a demanding job without having a mental breakdown while some people on the forum think you are a fool. Parts of the job are easier when the engine is levered away from the side of the car with a crow bar as you put on tools or fit and remove parts. With care and patience it is a one person job.

https://www.fiatforum.com/punto-mk2...sporting-cambelt-timing-belt-replacement.html

You do not need to do any engine timing when you do this job with the paint method. All that is required is to position the engine to avoid valve damage. Timing the engine before and after gives you a sense of confidance you did it right.

Psychologically this is quite a demanding job. You do the work and then you have to start the engine knowing if you did it wrong it is goodbye engine.

Importantly there is a trick to ensure the belt is correctly tightened but otherwise the job is not particularly tricky other than it being demanding in that you must get it right and once the belt is off that can play on your mind.

Hi both, thank you for your answers and I see I maybe have a choice of methods. The traditional via Haynes manual or the heretic's (some say fool's) choice?!

Will check out your method to see if I can understand it Judderbar, but a quick question first, are you sure it works on the 1.2. 16V engine? You said it was being performed on a 1.4 16V engine.

I'd better also get a Haynes BOL to see if I can get my head around how this is done with the timing hold tools to see if that might be easier for me.

Also, can I check, does this engine come into time once per revolution of the crank, or once every two revolutions? I'm guessing the first but worth checking I guess.

Sverige said:

Hi both, thank you for your answers and I see I maybe have a choice of methods. The traditional via Haynes manual or the heretic's (some say fool's) choice?!

Will check out your method to see if I can understand it Judderbar, but a quick question first, are you sure it works on the 1.2. 16V engine? You said it was being performed on a 1.4 16V engine.

I'd better also get a Haynes BOL to see if I can get my head around how this is done with the timing hold tools to see if that might be easier for me.

Also, can I check, does this engine come into time once per revolution of the crank, or once every two revolutions? I'm guessing the first but worth checking I guess.

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My car and others who have done this have been 1.2 16V. No problems.

The crank pulley is smaller than the camshaft pulley. So two times around for the crank for one of the cam

People get problems when they see the pistons are level and the cam is correctly positioned but number one piston is rising for exhaust instead of going down for inlet - crank 180 degrees wrong. But you cannot do that with the paint method. Either way no1 piston is halfway down on its down stroke. Not the upstroke.

Haynes manual is available on here for download....
https://www.fiatforum.com/downloads.php?do=download&downloadid=466

Hey can anybody help me to buy 71736717 part. I am going to buy fiat genuine but it has manufactured in 2012. Do cambelts have shelf life?

sandaru said:

Hey can anybody help me to buy 71736717 part. I am going to buy fiat genuine but it has manufactured in 2012. Do cambelts have shelf life?

Click to expand...

To a degree yes they do
However i shelf item.will last alot longer in its box vs a belt in use

Ever noticed a spare tyre in a car never gets changed even when the cars 10+years old?
Most tyres at 10years old are severly perished at that point (dry and cracking)

Ziggy

Yeah ziggy my spare tire is 17 years old roadstone

Hi i am looking to buy a waterpump 46520401 but very difficult to find. My eper shows for VIN, this is the only one matching. Any matching parts?