Hi, I have a Panda 100 HP with 4 years with me, but it was manufactured 4'5 years ago. I mean that the car was stored until I bought it ...
Well, I am thinking on changing the timing belt, but the user manual says 120.000 kms or 5 years in normal conditions and my car has 30.000 kms.
I want to know if i should replace the water pump with these kms.
My idea is to change timing belt kit plus accesories belt.
Also i want to know if in this engine, which belt moves the water pump ??
If it's not the timing belt i think i could wait to change the water pump ..
Anyway, I think that with these kms, my timing belt should be Ok, but I know the big problem I would have if the timing belt get broken.

Thanks and sorry for my english ...

The recommended revised time for these are 36000km or 36 months as there have been a lot of premature failures apparently (on the Stilos with the same engine).

My water pump needed replacing and I had the timing belt done at the same time even though it was a year before it really needed to be done. It made sense as the timing belt kit isn't that expensive and it saved on labour/hassle in the long run.
I'd think twice if it was the other way round though as the water pump is a more expensive part, you don't really want to be changing it unless you have to.

Most Easterly Pandas said:

The recommended revised time for these are 36000km or 36 months as there have been a lot of premature failures apparently (on the Stilos with the same engine).

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I don't think that a car with less than five years running and 30000 kms should break the timing belt in any case. If it happens, then Fiat is a ****ing **** as a manufacturer.
But anyway, thanks for the advice. I will change the timing belt next month because i don't want to be playing with the possibility of a timing belt breaking.

doofus_hp said:

My water pump needed replacing and I had the timing belt done at the same time even though it was a year before it really needed to be done. It made sense as the timing belt kit isn't that expensive and it saved on labour/hassle in the long run.
I'd think twice if it was the other way round though as the water pump is a more expensive part, you don't really want to be changing it unless you have to.

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Yeah, what i mean is that if the mechanic tell me water pump is ok, i won't change it. I am bored of wasting money on the ****ing cars and i use it just to A to B and as less as possible.
In your case, I would have done the same thing to save money.



Oh ... I should have bought the 1.2 8v. Much more cheaper in all, but no, I bought the ****ing 100HP. If someone is idiot, is idiot for all his life.

Wh1TeSn4Ke said:

I don't think that a car with less than five years running and 30000 kms should break the timing belt in any case. If it happens, then Fiat is a ****ing **** as a manufacturer.
But anyway, thanks for the advice. I will change the timing belt next month because i don't want to be playing with the possibility of a timing belt breaking.

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Fiat don't make the belt though, that'll be sourced out.

It'll probably easily last longer than that but that's their way of covering their backside, which you can't really blame them for.

I dont think the interval has been reduced as the feedback from all the 16v fire engines would have meant the book for the 100hp would have been change. If not the 100hp the 500 1.4 would have shorter intervals.

I know some Alfa engines had the interval reduced from 72k to something closer to 36k a while back. maybe these stories are filtering through for fiats too.

No snapped belts on the forum afaik.


i have just done the one on the Idea (same engine) and did the waterpump at the same time just in case. The pump was perfect but as i was changing it on age rather than mileage I reckoned it was worth doing. Especially as water pumps seem to be a weak point on most engines these days.


Make sure you have some sealant around as the pump (assuming you buy genuine) comes with none and there is no o-ring.

Getting the tensioner set correctly without the locking tools isnt simple, set it to maximum and rotate the engine a few times and then reset at the marks. About 3.5hrs with the pump aswell.

What's the date of issue on the back of the handbook? They won't change an entire handbook for a revision a sheet of paper can easily cover.

I have to say, I haven't heard anything about premature breaking of timing belts. I changed my timing belt (1.2 8v 54plate) last night after 87k miles. The belt was original!

But if the car has been sitting, maybe it is wise to change it sooner, but 36k? In my opinion, I think that's a little too soon...

Wh1TeSn4Ke said:

I don't think that a car with less than five years running and 30000 kms should break the timing belt in any case. If it happens, then Fiat is a ****ing **** as a manufacturer.
But anyway, thanks for the advice. I will change the timing belt next month because i don't want to be playing with the possibility of a timing belt breaking.




Yeah, what i mean is that if the mechanic tell me water pump is ok, i won't change it. I am bored of wasting money on the ****ing cars and i use it just to A to B and as less as possible.
In your case, I would have done the same thing to save money.



Oh ... I should have bought the 1.2 8v. Much more cheaper in all, but no, I bought the ****ing 100HP. If someone is idiot, is idiot for all his life.

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first of all you can cut out the profanity.
second of all fiat don't make the belts they are sourced in same as any other make of car, the company who make the belts have advised all manufactures to alter their change times, only the ones that care have done so.

dave said:

first of all you can cut out the profanity.
second of all fiat don't make the belts they are sourced in same as any other make of car, the company who make the belts have advised all manufactures to alter their change times, only the ones that care have done so.

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Yes, the same as some Alfas 147 twinspark that breaks timing belts. The same belts that does not break in other car manufacurers. Engine also MATTERS.

Thanks to all the people that have replied. I will change timing belt + accesory belt next month even it's only 4'5 years and 30k kilometers.

Wh1TeSn4Ke said:

The same belts that does not break in other car manufacurers. Engine also MATTERS.

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oh they do often in all other makes ask your local car breakers