Cambelt Change advice please.

Hi, I have a 2006 Mk2B Punto 1.2 8v and it is due a cambelt change.

After reading Haynes manual it seems that they are saying that depending on engine number there are 2 different procedures for doing this.

1. Conventional, remove the cover and line the marks up before removing / replacing belt.

2. Using a dial gauge and proper tool to determine TDC.

I am ok with the 1st as I have done plenty of belts before and never had an issue.
If the 2nd one applies to my engine then it will be as easy going to the dealers as I do not have any special tools.


My Fiat Dealer has quoted the following prices, what do you think.


Replace Belt £125

Replace Belt and tensioners £155

Replace Belt, Tensioners and water pump £195.

One last point.

Someone told me that the 1.2 8v in my 2006 Punto is a non interference engine and that even if the belt snaps it will not trash the engine. Is that correct?

Many thanks

8v are non interference but it's not good to wait for belts to fail. Haynes left out a third method using marks on the flywheel. I have never had any bother using method 1 . open up and use the marks on the front door as it were.
Things to watch are belts and pumps having the same tooth pitch and not lining up the hole in the alternator belt pulley with the crank pulley on reassembly. Go for it and have fun.
The 16 v motors need the line up tools.

Hi Brendan, are you on the Volvo site as well ?

The Punto is a 06 and has done 58k but I think it is probably overdue.

That said I feel a lot happier now knowing that if it does fail before I sort it I will not have to dig too deeply to get daughter back on the road.

Many thanks Darryl

when i changed the cambelt on my 2000 punto 1.2 i didnt even bother timing it up first. all i did was rest the sump on a trolley jack, remove the cover and engine mount, bottom pulley off, slack the adjuster remove the belt and fit the new belt, put it all back together and jobs a good un. if i thought that the engine would move while i was doing all this i would have timed it first. the belt was about £16 from a local car spares shop so saved a fortune over dealer prices!

Darryl said:

Hi Brendan, are you on the Volvo site as well ?

The Punto is a 06 and has done 58k but I think it is probably overdue.

That said I feel a lot happier now knowing that if it does fail before I sort it I will not have to dig too deeply to get daughter back on the road.

Many thanks Darryl

Click to expand...

Fair cop

It's come up here recently and iirc nobody can recall an 8v belt failing in the normal run of things. I would say the tensioner has the shorter life and it's a good time to have a look at the water pump for leaks.
I replaced our belt a 60 ish. Worst case it will leave you stranded at the most inconvenient and expensive time and place but can't see it happening out of the blue.

Thanks Brendan.

Regards S60D5-185

im nearing 70k now
Its a 9.5 y/old car

No history of a belt, the car keeps on running a treat, So im assuming im on an original belt

Ziggy

To be honest Ziggy, the car is a minter and I have maintained it for my daughter religiously BUT :-

Now that I know that the 1.2 8v is a non interference engine I am going to leave the belt and will fit a new one if it breaks or the water pump starts leaking.

She has good breakdown cover and I am thankfully, mechanically competent so if the worst happens she can get it recovered home and I will fit a new belt.

I used the same reasoning on my wife's 1997 Mazda MX5 1.8 Turbo ( non interference engine ) and that still has the original belt without incident.

Thanks