My daughter has just got herself A 1.2S November 2013 500 with 20k miles so coming up to 7 years old low miles full history but no record of a cam belt & pump change, is it correct it’s 5 years or 70k miles for belt change ? My local dealer in Suffolk has quoted £551 ! , I’m thinking of doing it myself as I have changed 5th gear in my RAV4 and other fair size jobs in the past , have read on here a couple of guides which were a great help but was also wondering if Haynes done a manual as they list one up to 2012 , would a 2012 1.2 engine be the same as a 2013 ? Sorry for all the questions. Thanks Phil

Hilux phil said:

My daughter has just got herself A 1.2S November 2013 500 with 20k miles so coming up to 7 years old low miles full history but no record of a cam belt & pump change, is it correct it’s 5 years or 70k miles for belt change ? My local dealer in Suffolk has quoted £551 ! , I’m thinking of doing it myself as I have changed 5th gear in my RAV4 and other fair size jobs in the past , have read on here a couple of guides which were a great help but was also wondering if Haynes done a manual as they list one up to 2012 , would a 2012 1.2 engine be the same as a 2013 ? Sorry for all the questions. Thanks Phil

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Yes it’s the same engine. £551 is extortionate. Pretty much double what it should be. You need the locking kit though.

I use a mobile mechanic to do mine and I’ve negotiated £100 and I buy the parts.

I think it’s around 45k miles though is the recommended.

Sometimes if they’ve been done they put a mark on the top of the belt casing. A squiggle in high vis paint or marker.

Thanks very much mate will take a look and see if I can see a mark. 45k miles , as it’s only done 20k was unsure whether to do it or not really but 7 years old thought probably best to get it done , will get a Haynes manual may be useful.
Thanks again.

Hilux phil said:

Thanks very much mate will take a look and see if I can see a mark. 45k miles , as it’s only done 20k was unsure whether to do it or not really but 7 years old thought probably best to get it done , will get a Haynes manual may be useful.
Thanks again.

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I guess at 7 years old it’s probably wise.

The engine in the 500 is not a safe engine, unlike earlier versions of this unit. Therefore, changing the belt is a very good idea.

The Haynes manual details the procedure well, but you do need the locking kit.

Do a 'dry run' to ensure you have all the necessary tools. On the Panda, the engine mounting is very close to the inner wing, and for one bolt I had to search for just the right size of socket. It has to fit into the recess, protrude enough for a handle to fit onto it, but not so far that you cannot undo it.

Don't use the locking kit to prevent the camshaft turning when you undo/tighten the cam sprocket bolt (Torx55 on the pre-vvt Panda). There is a hexagon cast into the camshaft itself for this, 24mm I think.

portland_bill said:

The engine in the 500 is not a safe engine, unlike earlier versions of this unit. Therefore, changing the belt is a very good idea.

The Haynes manual details the procedure well, but you do need the locking kit.

Do a 'dry run' to ensure you have all the necessary tools. On the Panda, the engine mounting is very close to the inner wing, and for one bolt I had to search for just the right size of socket. It has to fit into the recess, protrude enough for a handle to fit onto it, but not so far that you cannot undo it.

Don't use the locking kit to prevent the camshaft turning when you undo/tighten the cam sprocket bolt (Torx55 on the pre-vvt Panda). There is a hexagon cast into the camshaft itself for this, 24mm I think.

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Thanks mate very useful info, had qoute this morning of £77+vat for a Gates cambelt kit, £25 for tool kit, just coolant, aux belt, should work out alot cheaper than the £551 i was qouted by Desira Fiat !

Hilux phil said:

Thanks mate very useful info, had qoute this morning of £77+vat for a Gates cambelt kit, £25 for tool kit, just coolant, aux belt, should work out alot cheaper than the £551 i was qouted by Desira Fiat !

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Guess prices have gone up, our local Fiat dealer charged us £240 they said it was a fixed price service item at the time 3 years ago, it wasn't all good news though as I never asked if that's with the water pump, it wasn't, only found out on collection. So it's still got the original 10+ year old one on

Anyone from Suffolk used Avanti motors Fiat Alfa specialist in sproughton Ipswich ? They have quoted me £241 to do the cambelt and water pump using genuine parts which considering Desira Fiat quoted £551 think this sounds good to me . Any advice appreciated please thanks.

For £1 more than John202020 paid 3 years ago, looks like a great price.

I've no experience of them, but anyone setting themselves up as a specialist on any marque does so with enthusiasm for that marque. These rarely create cowboys, as they would just work on anything.

Looks like they've been in business since 2006, must be doing something right. Their website looks good, with some bios at the bottom.
https://avantiautos.co.uk/

Yep i messaged them and they got back to me next day with a price, currently closed but i can book it in for when they are allowed to reopen, like you say they have good reviews too and not too far from me around 45 mins, its going to cost me around the £150 mark for parts and special tools to do it myself so for the sake of less than £100 more may get them to do it with thier experience and warranty .

Still thinking off doing this myself as independent garage not open yet. Couple of questions again please, I printed off a good guide by contitech which shows you rotate the engine until the camshaft notch is at the top and fit locking plate and then should be able to fit crankshaft locking plate if not rotate again until both Are lined up . I take it , it is then at tdc on number 1 or doesn’t this matter if both locking plates are lined up and fit ? Also if I done it this way would you think I would have a problem with the camshaft sensor bringing up a fault code once powered all back , connected and running ? Thanks again.

Yes definitely do it yourself if you are bored in lock down, you are more than capable of doing this after following the thread about lost position of gears. In that thread is a link to pmm guide of belt change which is excellent.

You fit the tools prior to removing the old belt.
So if camshaft notch is "up" and you can fit the cam setting tool then the crankshaft will be in correct position to fit crank positioning tool.

Crack on with it if you are bored in lock down and want something to do.
Check gates kit you have been quoted costs 77 +vat includes water pump.
If you have plenty to do then price you have been quoted is very good.

How many miles per year do you think your daughter will drive her car?

I know I'm about to open myself up to a torrent of criticism but....

Car only covered 20,000
If it was my car and if drive around 10,000 miles a year.
I would check the tensioner and water pump and only change them if they showed any sign of wear or leakage . If all good just fit the belt.
Then in 5 years time the tensioner and pump are at the scheduled 70,000 mile change reccomendation and belt is due another change due to age.

I am fortunate in having handled a lot of pumps and tensions and so know what feels correct.

If people are thinking but then you would have an unused tensioner and pump, order an individual belt together with a belt kit. Return what not used for refund.

That's just me and what I do for my friends .

Yes I don't like spending more money than what I think sensible.

If doing belt for someone I don't know it gets the whole kit and I inspect all the new parts carefully . Have not had a faulty part in a belt kit yet but don't want to find one by a failure on a vehicle!

jackwhoo said:

Yes definitely do it yourself if you are bored in lock down, you are more than capable of doing this after following the thread about lost position of gears. In that thread is a link to pmm guide of belt change which is excellent.

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Yep it’s the PMM guide I printed off, correct me if I’m wrong but if I get the camshaft and crankshaft in the correct position to fit the locking tools then remove and refit belt as per their guide then everything should end up in same position as before ? I will replace everything as that’s just me, only issue I have at the minute is that my local motor factors won’t sell me the parts as I don’t have a trade account due to current situation. Some on eBay but always unsure how genuine they are. Thanks for help again .

Yes Phil follow that guide you will be fine.
I'm sure its spelled out in the guide but make sure belt on right hand side has no slack as you fit it to the locked pulleys .
You will be fine.

After the two full revs of crank shaft you see if locking tools can be fitted again so you can't get it wrong.

You are very sensible to change the lot.

Try partsinmotion web site they are very good , quality branded parts , I have bought from them often and recently(-:

jackwhoo said:

Yes Phil follow that guide you will be fine.
I'm sure its spelled out in the guide but make sure belt on right hand side has no slack as you fit it to the locked pulleys .
You will be fine.

After the two full revs of crank shaft you see if locking tools can be fitted again so you can't get it wrong.

You are very sensible to change the lot.

Try partsinmotion web site they are very good , quality branded parts , I have bought from them often and recently(-:

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Thanks mate really helpful and appreciated.

Been searching for the right kit, it’s a minefield! I know Gates has a good name, but which one as they list several at different prices, also prices of others range from £45-£150 , what’s the oem make fitted from new ? I know when I gave my local motofactors my Reg number they just quoted me for a Gates kit at £77 + vat. Partsinmotion list several makes and prices too.

Hilux phil said:

Been searching for the right kit, it’s a minefield! I know Gates has a good name, but which one as they list several at different prices, also prices of others range from £45-£150 , what’s the oem make fitted from new ? I know when I gave my local motofactors my Reg number they just quoted me for a Gates kit at £77 + vat. Partsinmotion list several makes and prices too.

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What is your registration?

Price difference due to you can get a kit with pump or without pump.