General service and cambelt

[Luke M]

ok im going to do the 60k service and change the cambelt next month ready for the MOT in august.

as far as im aware i need

• oil change
• oil filter change
• spark plug change
• fluid top up all round
• tyre condition and pressure
• check and maintain handbrake
• replace fuel filter
• check all pipes and cables for failures

anything else need doing that isnt in the fiat aftercare manual?

also the cambelt, ive been told there a pain to do on the mk2 because of the headlight and wheel arch. but what damage can be done to the engine if the timings out? can the valves be destroyed? anyone done one on a mk2?

if its going to be a pain ill get the garage to do the cambelt when it goes in for MOT and do the rest myself. just dont want to pay the labour if i can avoid it!

cheers
luke

 

[AppleSei]

Maybe add air filter, but you have all the bases really covered.

Interesting about the fuel filter, im approaching 60k and noticed my MPG was not as good as previous, was going to get this done at next service myself, glad to see that i would be right in doing so according to the fiat book.

The cambelt is is a bit of a struggle on the MPI. I gave up and went to the garage in the end.

Is it the first cambelt change? youve done well to get 60k out of it if so.

 

[Luke M]

yep its my only cambelt as far as im aware. the book says a visual check at 36 and 108 k and replace at 72 or after 5 years.

how far did you get with the cambelt apple?

also im leaving the air filter for the mo because im getting a new GSR when the come out which shouldnt be too long.

also - powersteering - wheres the fluid etc. for that?

 

[AppleSei]

how far did you get with the cambelt apple?

also - powersteering - wheres the fluid etc. for that?

Not very far with the cambelt, saw it and decided 'im not doing that' took it into garage

PAS is electric, no need for fluid The electric box for the PAS can be seen through the air vent in the bonnet

 

[Luke M]

ok was just checking as it says top up fluids, eg. power steering etc.

im not 100% sure on the fuel filter, ive just looked again and it says diesel engines. but i dont see any harm in changing the fuel filter!

im a bit confused about brake fluid. it says change fluid at 36 and 72 or every 24 months.

now my car had its 24k service at 2 years 36k at 3 years and 48k at 4 years. but im not sure wether they would of done the change at 24k(24 month) and then 48k (48 months) or left it and done it at 36k and needs doing now.
anyway of telling?

 

[AppleSei]

ok was just checking as it says top up fluids, eg. power steering etc.

im not 100% sure on the fuel filter, ive just looked again and it says diesel engines. but i dont see any harm in changing the fuel filter!

im a bit confused about brake fluid. it says change fluid at 36 and 72 or every 24 months.

now my car had its 24k service at 2 years 36k at 3 years and 48k at 4 years. but im not sure wether they would of done the change at 24k(24 month) and then 48k (48 months) or left it and done it at 36k and needs doing now.
anyway of telling?

I think they have produced the same aftermarket manual for the fiat range as a whole and dont think all models are electronic PAS, perhaps not at the time in 2001 when your sei was made, certainly when you mentioned about diesels above, this would indicate a general booklet for all.

The handbrake light coming on also indicates low brake fluid level. If this is coming on, even when handbrake is not in use, the chances are it will need a top up/change. If you feel the need to change then change it, its better to be safe than sorry

 

[Luke M]

yer i know what you mean. its just wether i trust in the garages to keep to the service schedule in my book! and its not exactly like my brakes are bad or soft. there best ive felt them!

cheers apple!

anyone else managed the cambelt?

 

[rallycinq]

Check your invoices for brake fluid. If it ain't on the invoice, it ain't been done.

Cheers

D

 

[Luke M]

ah never thought of that rally! will dig them out!

so back to cambelt! sorry guys! just dont want to end up in an expensive mess! is there risk of smashing valves if the timings out? or causing any other damage?

 

[rallycinq]

The 1108 is regarded as a 'safe' engine. The valves should not meet piston if it breaks. However, if it does break, it will be in a dark spooky area at the dead of night, in the pissing rain, with no mobile phone coverage.

Its a bit of a sod to do, but starting out with the remit to remove lots of bits from the nearside corner, makes it bearable.

Once the new belt is on, remove the spark plugs and turn the engine over by hand to make sure:-

A) that it turns

and

B) that the timing marks still line up.

Cheers

D

 

[AppleSei]

so back to cambelt! sorry guys! just dont want to end up in an expensive mess! is there risk of smashing valves if the timings out? or causing any other damage?

do you mean if it fails if it not done right?

By all accounts if cambelt failure does occur the 1108 MPI by all accounts is a safe engine.

To be honest if unsure, get a garage to do it

 

[Luke M]

so theres marks on the top pully and the crank case to line up?

 

[rallycinq]

Yup, you can't do it by guess work.

Well, actually you can do it by guess work, but it will run like a bag of bolts, if at all.

Cheers

D

 

[Luke M]

ok well ill get a cinq haynes, im guessing that will be the same, and read it and decide then.

cheers for your help guys!

 

[blu73]

Is a mpi that different from doing an spi cambelt?? Just done mine and my mums 1.2 punto, only half hour to an hour each. Remember to change the tensioner as well - best to have a spare pair of hands when putting back together to get the tension in the belt while you re-tighten the tensioner

Edit: i am a novice

 

[Luke M]

yup the mpi is harder to access due to bodywork and the headlight. ill take a photo of the space to show you at some point

 

[blu73]

Oh righty, so same job essentially but harder to get at.

 

[Luke M]

just wondering, fluid top up all round, thats the oil change, brake fluid top up

do i need to do the gearbox oil? if so top up or drain? and what i put in?

coolant? just top up or flush the system?

any other fluids or oils i missed?

 

[rallycinq]

Brake fluid should be changed at two yearly intervals.

Gearbox seems to be check only, but I change mine regularly, about every two years.

Cheers

D

 

[Luke M]

ok i think i may do the brakes as we dont know when the fluid was last done.

do you drain all the fluid out and then pump in the new stuffo or top up the tank and keep pumping and topping up until new fluid comes through?