Technical Should I get timing chain replaced on 1.3 Multijet?

[pointyhat]

I've just got a 2006 Doblo with 1.3 MultiJet engine in it with 51k miles on the clock. I have service history but there are no markers suggesting that the timing chain has been replaced.

Anyway, I've heard bad things about timing chains snapping on these engines so some questions:

1/ What should I be on the lookout for (noise-wise)?

2/ Is it worth replacing it now just to make sure?

3/ How much is this going to cost me? I understand it's a pain to replace.

4/ What is the normal replacement interval for these that FIAT suggest?

 

[pete123]

No 1 no noises etc warning
No2 it's up to the person that owns the car if u r gonna keep the car could save u money in long rum

No3 should be around 100 to 150 all in from dealer better price than the engine get it done by dealer as the thread on forum by amcfad he is now learnt give it a read

 

[varesecrazy]

Hi,
it's a cam CHAIN !,
not a belt like on the JTD engines = £150 for a belt

a LOT more ££'s for a chain,


Cam-chains do not tend to break - however they do make more noise as time goes on,

here's a recent thread about the same engine in the panda's

https://www.fiatforum.com/panda/317930-conumdrum-my-multijet-change-timing-chain-not-result.html

Charlie

 

[T14086]

The problem on the 1.3 JTD is the tensioners not so much the chain. It's a big and expensive job but as mentioned you normally get the warning noises first.

 

[pointyhat]

Ok confirmed the timing chain is knackered and that's what the horrible noise is.

Quote to replace it (chain, tensioner, tool kit, labour + vat) is £437 from Fiat dealer service. Not terrible.

Does that sound about right?

 

[Ulpian]

Sounds okay to me. Do they replace the water pump at the same time?
Years ago my Uno had a rattly chain and the replacement cured it. Chains don't last forever, but the beauty of them is they give a warning. When a belt snaps it takes the engine with it.

 

[pointyhat]

Water pump got the green light as it was serviced about 10k miles before I got it and it was done then.

+1 for chains. A friend had a belt go on a LR Discovery 200TDi engine. Destroyed it completely. New engine went in (cheapy GMC diesel), which had an electrical failure after about a week. It was repaired, then ended up with a cracked head (flawed casting) after about 300 miles (!!), which was replaced then 300 miles later it got nicked and abandoned. Car was cursed... :devil:

 

[Ulpian]

If only all engines were 'non-interference' instead of just a few.

 

[varesecrazy]

Ok confirmed the timing chain is knackered and that's what the horrible noise is.

Quote to replace it (chain, tensioner, tool kit, labour + vat) is £437 from Fiat dealer service. Not terrible.

Does that sound about right?

Hi,
that's Roughly what WEE SMURF in the panda section payed,
Charlie

 

[bobian81]

i'm surprised at a timing chain failing at this mileage, i'm led to believe with regular oil changes they are good for 150k plus

 

[T14086]

Ok confirmed the timing chain is knackered

How?

i'm surprised at a timing chain failing at this mileage,

Exactly, if it was broken the engine would be wrecked so the only thing that can happen is the chain stretching. Still say the noise is tensioners worn.

Yes pointyhat, that is a good price.

 

[kawasakikz1]

Mine snapped at 112k. The rattle was very quiet. The breakdown man said he had had 2 others this week. As for £450 from a garage, well my local fiat dealer wanted a 1000 and private wanted 700 ish. Its a problem and i wouldnt by a 1.3 multijet again, but I have got another panda.

 

[pointyhat]

thanks for all the replies.

Garage said it might be the tensioner only but they can't be sure until they've got it out anyway so I said to do the chain as well.

 

[Scazz45]

Ok confirmed the timing chain is knackered and that's what the horrible noise is.

Quote to replace it (chain, tensioner, tool kit, labour + vat) is £437 from Fiat dealer service. Not terrible.

Does that sound about right?

Good morning, I have had this quoted at over £2000 from z pfuvate garage. The fiat dealer said £1000+vat labour then parts!
Any thoughts?

 

[irc]

There's a big price difference between
A) replacing a noisy but still working chain & tensioner, which is a relatively simple job (at least it is with a ramp and good tools available)
B) replacing a broken chain (same as (A) plus anything ranging from a couple of rocker arms and hydraulic lifters to a full rebuild with new crank, pistons, etc.) depending on the damage that was done when the chain failed.
Going rates depend on location, but £400 to £500 for (A), £1100 to "sorry mate, it's REALLY broken" for (B).
I've seen a couple of chain failure engines with literally only 2 broken rockers, which were easy and cheap fixes.
Conversely I've also seen a couple which needed a full set of rockers and lifters, which I personally would have scrapped and replaced with a good secondhand engine (with new chain!)
One of these had persistent oil pressure troubles once repaired and ended up being replaced anyway despite having a new oil pump, pickup pipe, heat exchanger etc.
(I didn't get a chance to investigate it once removed, but I suspect damaged main bearings)