Been having a root about today, and I don't think this is going to be impossible.
The front driver's side engine mount will have to come off, and it's limited as to how far you can move the engine in situ as the driveshaft will catch the suspension on the way down.
Room is definitely tight, and it's gonna be fiddly, but I think I can do it.

Anyone managed it before and want to share a few tips?

Anyone know what the bolts are holding the crank pulley and various other bits in the engine bay, they ain't torx but a torx bit will do at a pinch.

Need to go get a new alternator and power steering belt now, may as well do them while they're off.

If I manage the job, I'll post a photo how-to. If not, you're all invited to the funeral

Confidence level thus far: High.

Well, done it. Started 9.30, finished 2.30 - in time for a shower and to go collect the bairn from school.
I have a few square inches of skin missing, but I always look like this after working on a car. It is fiddly, I had to modify a torx bit to get in, but otherwise it's not really that bad a job. Don't know why Fiat take the engine out, they're just taking the mick.

Will post a photo jobby of how it goes when I get some time.

Total cost:

£28 cam belt
£11 alternator belt
£11 power steering belt (old one was really buggered!)

nice one, shows it can be done with a little creativity. looks like marea maintence is getting a shakeup!

Bloody hell Pete. A total cost of £50 compared to almost £1000 which some places quote for this job! Well done!

Pete,

I'm impressed and gutted. Well done.

I Said this quite a while ago. No Need to take engine out. Can be done in 2 hours with practice Fiat will always charge this price due to being book time.But I would of defintley changed the tensioner as this what fails most times

In hindsight, I could have done them as a precaution, but they felt sound to me. Local dealers didn't have them in stock, either.

Excellent work! When mine is due I will have to contact you. I will happily pay you £250 for the job..

I'm in the middle of writing a how-to, will post it up when done. I'd suspect a local mechanic could do it for less than £250 - maybe print off a copy and show him?

tensioners and pump!!!

never seen a 20v belt go, always the tensioner. Although thats just my experience!!!

hmmm. I've heard about them failing before but in 18 years of driving it's never happened to me or anyone I know.
I'll take my chances. As I said, they felt sound.

the cause of pump and tensioner bearing failure is usually down to the belt being fitted too tightly in the first place, hence the reason we see premature failures.
in reality if everything is lined up and tensioned correctly the only wear that should occur is to the belt teeth.

prevention is much better than cure, hence the reason for 36k belt changes along with all the other potential failure items

this is a general recommendation - when using technical experience one can adopt a much more cost effective approach to maintenance, as Pete has demonstrated!

those of you that disagree can go on lining the pockets of the dealerships!

for those of you that like the sound of this, heres another tip from the trade

goes something like

remove covers

turn engine over to align the timing marks

take stanley knife and cut long the middle of the belt all around

remove out half of belt

fit new belt half way on

remove remains of old belt

push new belt fully home and chek tension

rotate the engine using a socket on the flywheel bolt 2 complete turns

check the tension and timing marks

refit covers

drive away!

well from experience of the coupe 20vt, leakey water pumps, squeeling tensioners and failing tensioner bearings is a concern.

Im not nocking anyone, sod fiat and there charges, just in my opinion while your there may as well do the whole lot!!!

Well done for doing it yourself.

People just have different experiences!!

I hear what you're saying, and if I had the presence of mind to plan the job properly I'd have ordered the bits from Fiat a week ago, just I'm soooo disorganised! No offence taken.

I know now though that if I hear any funny noises or see any water leaks it's not gonna be an arse-falling-out situation, can all be sorted in a day easy

well done pete, I have to say, at those prices and knowing how much you love getting down and dirty with an internal combustion engine. Even if you needed to replace bits next year, its still worth the time and effort you've invested. And knowing you, it aint going to be a shoddy job, so you should have many miles of pleaseurable motoring.

I thank you

Like the New Photo How To. Just the way i would do it. Its a little bit more tricky, to change the tensioner though, and if its got air-con also a bit more tricky. Just Make sure when you drop the engine the top radiator hose does not pull to hard on the rad or it will break the rad..

well i've had a look at mine and you can't even get an aftereight mint down the side of it let alone a spanner or two!! well done for pullin that one off mate i'll have to see the photos to take notes.........of your house number so i can bring mine round