Changed Aux belt today as getting the screech on start up, so decided on a process of elimination!
Anyway, needs changing at 72k and I am at 70k so did it anyway!

Aux belt £13.49 from ECP (dayco)

Pretty easy with a Haynes but the book says remove the crank sensor and this isn't required

1-remove drivers side front wheel after jacking etc
2-remove inner wheel arch centre piece (2 screws) after removing 3 screws from front inner liner to be able to pull centre one out-y
Centre wheel arch piece removal actually the hardest part of the job as its fiddly to remove
3-remove 2 screws from top of belt section to remove guard (from bonnet top side)
4-13mm spanner on tensioner and pull down clockwise to release tension
5-remove belt whilst holding tensioner down
6-remember where belt goes (I drew a diagram)
7-install from below the belt and get someone to slip the top on whilst again holding down the tensioner with a spanner
8-check and reinstall

As I say, the Haynes says remove crank sensor but you don't need to-it is useful however to know where it is!

Hasn't fixed the squeal on start up which I reckon is the starter not releasing once the engine fires so starter motor next!
I have checked voltages etc in case a low battery was not releasing the starter but all ok there, although cleaning up the earth points needed doing

The crank sensor is vulnerable when changing the belt, especially if the pressure of the tensioner gets the better of anyone. Removing it protects it from harm, which is why it is recommended to remove it.

Did have your timing belt replaced? Usually get done at same time.

Yes-timing belt and water pump done at 68k but they obviously didn't change the aux belt!

Most cars here in Australia get timing belt change at 100,000kms. I was wondering why the fiat have it earlier? Or is it ok to change at 100,000kms? Anyone gone this far?

Were you talking about miles or kms in your original post above?

Mila said:

Most cars here in Australia get timing belt change at 100,000kms. I was wondering why the fiat have it earlier? Or is it ok to change at 100,000kms? Anyone gone this far?

Were you talking about miles or kms in your original post above?

Click to expand...

????

they were talking 70K MILES

the aux belt isn't regualarly changed - it only drives the alternator on most cars..
however - IF it breaks it can get caught into the cam-belt - potentially wrecking the engine.

other sportier FIATS had their changes halved from 72K miles to 36K miles after spates of failures around 45K miles..

so it's a precautionary change.. plenty of cars around that have covered 100k with extremely little maint..,
"ServiceConditions" will play a large part in the breakdown of components life"


charlie

My aux belts doesn't only drive the alternator. It drives the ac compressor too

Mila said:

My aux belts doesn't only drive the alternator. It drives the ac compressor too

Click to expand...

yes - I suspected this was the case..
that's why I wrote "on most cars"

FIAT have run a 3rd belt for the AC before too.

Charlie