Has anyone used one of the cheap unbranded cam locking tools for doing a timing belt change? There's some Chinese ones on eBay for £15, or a "Neilsen" branded one for about £50. These are far cheaper than the £100+ ones sold by better known brands.

El-cheapo: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/192284321902
Neilsen: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/252954363604

Laser: https://www.lasertools.co.uk/product/5033

Sealey: Sealey SEAVSE2511A VSE2511A Petrol Engine Setting/Locking Kit-Alfa Romeo, Fiat, Lancia 1.2, 16v, 1.4 T-Jet-Belt Drive, Red: Amazon.co.uk: Car & Motorbike

I bought the Neilsen branded one for the 8 valve engines to use on our Panda 1.2 and son's Punto 1.4 (8 valve of course). I think it's a well made piece of kit and I had no problems using it on both engines.

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEILSEN-Tools-Fi...-Tool-Set-1-2-1-4-VVT-NEW-c3395-/252954363604

Seems to have gone up a bit in price - mine was around the £40 mark a year ago.

Oh, by the way, when they say VVT that means it works on the later 8 valve engines with the variator pulley (my boy's Punto for instance) - still 8 valve though. This kit will not do the 16 valve engines.

Pugglt Auld Jock said:

I bought the Neilsen branded one for the 8 valve engines to use on our Panda 1.2 and son's Punto 1.4 (8 valve of course). I think it's a well made piece of kit and I had no problems using it on both engines.

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEILSEN-Tools-Fiat-Engine-Timing-Locking-Setting-Tool-Set-1-2-1-4-VVT-NEW-c3395-/252954363604

Seems to have gone up a bit in price - mine was around the £40 mark a year ago.

Oh, by the way, when they say VVT that means it works on the later 8 valve engines with the variator pulley (my boy's Punto for instance) - still 8 valve though. This kit will not do the 16 valve engines.

Click to expand...

Thanks, good to know the Neilsen is alright as that seems the best tradeoff between quality and price.


My GP is a 1.4 16v so might need to hunt around for a cheaper price on a Neilsen one compatible with my engine.

£50 for the tool + maybe £70 for the belt/water pump kit. Still cheaper than going to the garage

oldmanhouse said:

£50 for the tool + maybe £70 for the belt/water pump kit. Still cheaper than going to the garage

Click to expand...

That was exactly my thinking knowing I had both cars to do (the Panda and Punto). Cost a little more than half the garage price for the Panda then all I had to buy for the Punto were the belt kit and a cam cover gasket. I probably could have reused the gasket but shop4parts didn't charge a fortune so decided to do it. I was also influenced by people on our forum saying that they tend to leak when they get old and the rubber hardens.

And, of course, now I have the tools for future use if and when needed.

I'm not too familiar with the 16v engine but maybe this would do?

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/191126222004

price looks good eh?

And another without case I think but cheaper

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Engine-Timing-To...41623655?_trkparms=aid=222007&algo=SIM.MBE&ao

But, looking at the whole add maybe it has a case after all?

Pugglt Auld Jock said:

I'm not too familiar with the 16v engine but maybe this would do?

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/191126222004

price looks good eh?

And another without case I think but cheaper

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Engine-Timing-Tool-Kit-Fiat-Punto-Bravo-Brava-1-2-16v-Twincam-Petrol/281941623655?_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIM.MBE%26ao

But, looking at the whole add maybe it has a case after all?

Click to expand...

Certainly looks like a good price. I'm not sure what my engine number is, so will need to do some research to make sure it's the right fit as the description says "1.2 16v", whereas mine is a "1.4 16v" (which may or may not be a different tool).

You make a good point about the cam cover gasket. I do actually have a minor oil leak in that area so probably a good chance to replace the gasket and rule that out.

I've used a similar cheap one a few times.
The last few times on my t-jet.
If you read the documentation and know what you're doing they do the job just fine.

Been in touch with the supplier of "Nielsen" brand tools, Cannon Tools, and they advise for the 1.4 16V (199A6000 engine code) that their professional kit "should" fit, at a cost of £140. Not looking like such a bargain that!


http://shop.cannontools.co.uk/timin...essional-engine-repair-13484-163-15752412.php

Any owners with with the 1.4 16v engine that can advise what tools are needed? Not seeing any guides for this engine either, so if it's more complicated than the 1.2 8v I might be a bit out of my depth

blu73 what kit did you use on my 1.4 16v the other year?

oldmanhouse said:

Any owners with with the 1.4 16v engine that can advise what tools are needed? Not seeing any guides for this engine either, so if it's more complicated than the 1.2 8v I might be a bit out of my depth

Click to expand...

the t-jet is a 1.4 16v
The only tools you need are the ones from the cheapest set:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/192284321902

For basic timing belt replacement you don't really need the tools, you just use them to check it was set right.
If the cam sprocket needs to be loosened you will need an additional tool that isn't in the cheap set.

But you can DIY something to use in it's place.
- from 2 bolts, some nuts, and a piece of flat bar... used to hold the gear in place while loosening/ tightening the cam bolt.




There is the guide for timing replacement:
View attachment ToothedTimingBelt.pdf

aurick86 said:

the t-jet is a 1.4 16v
The only tools you need are the ones from the cheapest set:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/192284321902

For basic timing belt replacement you don't really need the tools, you just use them to check it was set right.
If the cam sprocket needs to be loosened you will need an additional tool that isn't in the cheap set.

But you can DIY something to use in it's place.
- from 2 bolts, some nuts, and a piece of flat bar... used to hold the gear in place while loosening/ tightening the cam bolt.
View attachment 199289
View attachment 199290


There is the guide for timing replacement:
View attachment 199288

Click to expand...

Why you used this bar instead of the cam sprocket lock tool?

Lock the cam - lock the sprocket - lose the bolt - remove the lock from the sprocket - etc

Eklipze3k said:

blu73 what kit did you use on my 1.4 16v the other year?

Click to expand...

dont remember brand but its just a cheapy one off fleabay. Does job fine, works on 1.2 and 1.4 16v fires and tjets. I've even done it a couple of times without any fancy tools at all, its not that hard a job at all.

You can just use 2 equal lengths of anything that fits down the spark plug hole, welding wire i used. turn engine until they are level and remove the plug on front of cam cover and you should see/feel a slot in the cam that the cam lockers would normally go in (if not turn engine until wires are level again as your on the wrong stroke). then you can use an allen key to lock the cam, either a 10 or 11mm from memory.
Now crack loose the cam sprocket so it can spin freely on the camshaft, undo the belt tensioner, replace belt and tensioner, tension the tensioner so the little lines on it line up, tighten up the cam sprocket bolt, release the cams by removing the allen key. Turn engine over by hand few times and then check the pistons are still perfectly level when the cam lock slot comes to the hole. If it does your done, if it doesnt slacken the belt and start again.

The tools do make this a tad more streamlined a task but not actually required at all, just triple check everything lines up once you done cause if its not and you fire the car up you are gonna have a very bad day indeed lol.

If you want to use this method, do piston leveling with "opposite" cylinders, i.e 1 or 4 & 2 or 3 ...

BRs, Bernie

If someone here helped You fix -or better, understand- your issue, hit the thanks icon @ bottom right corner, it's free and makes us feel helpy ;-)

OK, so this is my understanding of what 'official' tools are required for a timing belt change:

1. Piston positioning tools (x2) / Fiat tool no: 1860992000
2. Camshaft looking tools (x2) / Fiat tool no: 1860985000
3. Sprocket locking tool / Fiat tool no: 2000015800
4. Tensioner adjuster spanner
5. Crankshaft locking tool / Fiat tool no: 2000004500

Hopefully that is a correct understanding that will help anyone else who is trying to source the right tools for cheap!

The cheap tool sets contain tool 1, 2 and 4. But do not contain 3 or 5, so I would need to source those tools separately from Fiat or use something else. Or I can buy the Sealey set which contains everything.

oldmanhouse said:

OK, so this is my understanding of what 'official' tools are required for a timing belt change:

1. Piston positioning tools (x2) / Fiat tool no: 1860992000
2. Camshaft looking tools (x2) / Fiat tool no: 1860985000
3. Crankshaft locking tool / Fiat tool no: 2000015800
4. Tensioner adjuster spanner

and not required (for a timing belt change) are:

5. Sprocket locking tool / Fiat tool no: 2000004500

Hopefully that is a correct understanding that will help anyone else who is trying to source the right tools for cheap!

The cheap tool sets contain tool 1, 2 and 4. But do not contain 3, so I would need to source that tool separately from Fiat or use something else. Or I can buy the Sealey set which contains everything.

Click to expand...

To change the timing belt you need one camshaft locking tool ( number 2 )
Number 3 is the sprocket locking tool, and 5 is the crankshaft locking tool.

You can replace the belt without 5 but it's much safer (or should I say accurate?) with it.

cmosfxx said:

To change the timing belt you need one camshaft locking tool ( number 2 )
Number 3 is the sprocket locking tool, and 5 is the crankshaft locking tool.

You can replace the belt without 5 but it's much safer (or should I say accurate?) with it.

Click to expand...

Thanks, I will update my post for posterity. Hopefully someone else will find it useful to work out what all the different tools are for!

I put x2 for camshaft locking tools as my engine is the DOHC 1.4 (199A6000)

oldmanhouse said:

I put x2 for camshaft locking tools as my engine is the DOHC 1.4 (199A6000)

Click to expand...

The cams are locked to each other through gears... the only time you will need both cam locking tools if when you replace the cams.

oldmanhouse said:

OK, so this is my understanding of what 'official' tools are required for a timing belt change:

1. Piston positioning tools (x2) / Fiat tool no: 1860992000
2. Camshaft looking tools (x2) / Fiat tool no: 1860985000
3. Sprocket locking tool / Fiat tool no: 2000015800
4. Tensioner adjuster spanner
5. Crankshaft locking tool / Fiat tool no: 2000004500

Hopefully that is a correct understanding that will help anyone else who is trying to source the right tools for cheap!

The cheap tool sets contain tool 1, 2 and 4. But do not contain 3 or 5, so I would need to source those tools separately from Fiat or use something else. Or I can buy the Sealey set which contains everything.

Click to expand...

Hi!
If you all ready got a set for the 1.4 8V you would have 3 and 5 in that set, I think that is why they left them out of the cheapest set.
BRs. Kjeld.

kjeldio said:

Hi!
If you all ready got a set for the 1.4 8V you would have 3 and 5 in that set, I think that is why they left them out of the cheapest set.
BRs. Kjeld.

Click to expand...

Like this one? https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fiat-Eng...-Punto-500-Doblo-Idea-04-12-Ford/392273604529

It has the crankshaft locking tool (2.000.004.500), but not the same camshaft sprocket holding tool (2000004200 not 2000015800). It might fit I suppose, although it's a slightly different shape

After much searching and inputting of various queries into ebay, i think i've finally found what i'm looking for, a kit with all the tools for the 1.4 16v engine - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Draper-32802-Timing-Kit-For-Fiat-And-Lancia-Vehicles/192808122991

This one is discontinued by Draper so is much cheaper than what they've replaced it with, which looks identical but costs £150. Can't believe how much these kits cost. Seems a rip off to me given they are just copied from Fiat's designs

An all-in-one kit for the 1.4 16v is surprisingly hard to find. Only a few manufacturers sell it - Sealey, BGS, Laser and Draper. No unbranded Chinese import equivalent available unfortunately (not that I could find at least)