Hi,
after some advice from the forum experts if possible. I purchased my new Fiat Punto 1.2 on 30/06/2008, however switched the car on this morning and noticed smoke coming from the bonnet. I switched off the internet ASAP and on inspection it would appear the timing belt has snapped.

I've not had the car serviced since I've bought it on 30/06/2008 and wounder where I stand with the warrenty? Does anyone have any past experience etc.

I've looked through the servicing booklet but its like wading through treacle! The car has done a total of 12,203 miles. A key statement is that all vehicles must be serviced in accordance with the full service schedule every 2 years, which puts me in date. However other pages state it needs a service every year!! If this is the case do I have a leg to stand on when it comes to a replacement engine for the vehicle?

Any advice gratefully received..............

Help

Rgds

wrong forum

Anyway you might have a leg to stand on because the timing belt isn't supposed to be replaced at the service you missed. Be nice to the dealer though as they have to negotiate with Fiat HQ to determine if the warranty claim will be authorised.

Be very nice, because if you are supposed to have the car serviced every year not doing so could allow them to deny responsibility for any component, no matter what it is.

Ulpian said:

Be very nice, because if you are supposed to have the car serviced every year not doing so could allow them to deny responsibility for any component, no matter what it is.

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but is the cam belt inspected at service?

Andy Monty said:

but is the cam belt inspected at service?

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It would have been, but you could argue that the belt may not have been visibly damaged 6 months ago. You should always have the car serviced on time though, no matter what it is. This could be an expensive lesson.....

adamcot said:

It would have been, but you could argue that the belt may not have been visibly damaged 6 months ago. You should always have the car serviced on time though, no matter what it is. This could be an expensive lesson.....

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shouldn't be too expensive as the 1.2 is a safe engine.... re time and new belt and pray

If you could see smoke, cant see it being cambelt, engine would not run. Sounds like alternator ceased in cold weather and alt belt come off, not cambelt.
Seen it a number of times.
Scuttle drain tubes emptys on top of it.

Andy,
I take it if the car was stationary when the belt snapped its no where near as bad as if at speed?

Any ideas on the cost for parts and labour?

Anyone know any decent garages or mobile mechanics in the Herefordshire area that could do the job?

Cheers guys

It could be the alternator belt as its being pretty cold here -7 degrees with plenty of ice. I've got the belt and the order number is 55193795 A696. I've ran a search and this comes back as a trans belt?

Ayone any ideas?

Whereabouts are you in Herefordshire? East or west?

trans belt could be short for Transfer belt, transfers power from engine to alternator?

55193795 is the auxilliary drive belt for the following vehicles fitted with air conditioning.

Dave.

1.2 8v? Should be fine as its a non contact engine.

bluejrox said:

I switched off the internet ASAP

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please switch it back on.

as has been said, if the engine was running and you then turned it off then the timing belt isn't likely to have snapped. more likely alternator belt.

if it has snapped, then you won't have done any damage to engine.

dont try and milk money from FIAT for it, just get a new belt and in future service your car properly

is this the belt?

sounds like it's another case of the alternator freezing up, there are few posts in this section about it. maybe FIAT will move the drain holes?

They are iirc.

See here for more info on what's going on:

https://www.fiatforum.com/grande-punto/221279-alternator-frozen-belt-broken.html?p=2362565

bluejrox said:

Hi,
after some advice from the forum experts if possible. I purchased my new Fiat Punto 1.2 on 30/06/2008, however switched the car on this morning and noticed smoke coming from the bonnet. I switched off the internet ASAP and on inspection it would appear the timing belt has snapped.

I've not had the car serviced since I've bought it on 30/06/2008 and wounder where I stand with the warrenty? Does anyone have any past experience etc.

Click to expand...

1) timing belt
2) servicing, first year service can be as little as £99 so theres no excuse
3) warranty....you have already excluded alot by not getting the car serviced which is 100% your own fault.

My thanks to andy monty for posting that u tube video.I checked my car with some water today and it seems some water drips on the alternator -not a good idea.I think this is made worse if the car is parked slightly nose down. As a temporary measure I managed to make a deflector with a piece of plastic.I did have the low charge light coming on after a recent downpour,that stupid design fault could be the cause.