Hey!

Just a quick question and I hope someone can advise.

I bought a 2006 Fiat Grande Punto 8V 1.2 a couple of months ago and I recently had Halfords do a free check on the car and one thing they identified was that as there is no service history with the car I should get a cam belt replacement to be on the safe side as there is no evidence of when it was last changed. They wanted £220 for this.

A week or so later I was speaking to a mobile mechanic that I use sometimes and he was saying that 8V Fiat Grande Puntos have "safe" engines or something and that if the cam belt were to snap the chances are it wouldn't damage the engine and it would be a case of just popping a new belt on ....

From searching around a see a lot of mention re safe engines for the older puntos (not the grande model) and as such I'm not sure.

Are Halfords having me on or has the mobile mechanic got it wrong?

Many Thanks for your help!

Cheers, Rob

1.2 8v is safe in older puntos

autodata shows 1.2 8v in grande as interference engine

Grande Punto 1.2 engines are not SAFE, they are interference. Only the Mk1 and Mk2/2b were safe.

brickfoot said:

Grande Punto 1.2 engines are not SAFE, they are interference. Only the Mk1 and Mk2/2b were safe.

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wonder is my 1.2 engine safe?

https://www.fiatforum.com/punto-ii/...quare-air-filter-box-round-oil-plug-scre.html

flisko said:

wonder is my 1.2 engine safe?

https://www.fiatforum.com/punto-ii/...quare-air-filter-box-round-oil-plug-scre.html

Click to expand...

flisko said:

engine code 188A4000


eper

2U - PUNTO FL.'03 (2003-2010)
188.010.4.0 - 1.2 60CV 44KW 8V E3 3P ACTUALEngine: 3102273 Vehicle: 00749386 Manuf. date: 24/1/2006

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The engine code suggests it is a non-interference engine, especially when you google the code to find that most were fitted with the old cam cover (and therefore SAFE). The presence of the new cam cover on yours would suggest its the newer type, so it's best to err on the side of caution, even though the technical details would suggest otherwise.

would have to remove belt on purpose and crank engine to check if its safe or not

flisko said:

would have to remove belt on purpose and crank engine to check if its safe or not

Click to expand...

Worst sugestion ever...

Bernievarian said:

Worst sugestion ever...

Click to expand...

we have a volunteer

let us know about the outcome

Yes get cam belt changed just in case.
No don't get halfords to do it.
Perhaps ask mobile guy for a price as he has already tried to be helpful to you.

If you're feeling bold you can do the work yourself: https://www.fiatforum.com/grande-punto-guides/237966-1-2-8v-evo-2-engine-cam-belt-replacement.html

If not it usually costs a couple of hundred to have the belt changed

Where in the country are you? Might be someone on here who can recommend a good garage