My 2004 Stilo 1.6 16V with 52000 miles has not yet had a timing belt change done. I had a look under the bonnet at the belts and they look ok.

My Fiat dealer garage hasnt mentioned anything about these needing changing. Should they be changed? The service schedule seems to suggest every 150000km or every 5 years.

Personal view, but I'd never let a timing belt go beyond 36K. I would deffo change yours. When you think what it will cost you to repair the damage if the belt goes, it's a false economy to delay it...

ElectronicFur said:

My 2004 Stilo 1.6 16V with 52000 miles has not yet had a timing belt change done. I had a look under the bonnet at the belts and they look ok.

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Did you really look at the timing belt? Inside the cover?

morty in greece with the dry hot weather its max 3 years and max klm 50,000. i would change it you dont want a knocked piston or bent valve in your hands. plus all these miles you have done will have stretched the belt a tad throwing the timing slightly off that your gas mileage might change.

Stilatos said:

morty in greece with the dry hot weather its max 3 years and max klm 50,000. i would change it you dont want a knocked piston or bent valve in your hands. plus all these miles you have done will have stretched the belt a tad throwing the timing slightly off that your gas mileage might change.

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Alomst the same intervals as here, due to changing weather and 4 very different seasons - dry and damp, with a temperature range from -30°C to +30°C.

It's either 60.000 km or 3 years. Mine has gone 90.000 and 2 belts changed already. It is due again next summer, after the MOT, which is every 2nd year.

Morty Mort said:

Did you really look at the timing belt? Inside the cover?

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My question also.

OK, I'll admit I'm a bit of a plonker.

Firstly for forgetting that I posted this.

Secondly for also forgetting about my timing belt not having been changed yet.

And finally for having checked the belts, but the belts I looked at where obviously the alternator and water pump v belts.

:doh:

Clearly the cambelt is under the cover as some of you pointed out, next to the camshafts :doh:

So from what you guys are saying, and the car having done 62,000 miles now, I'd better get this changed pronto, as our Italian friends would say, correct?

My Fiat dealer quoted me £277 is that reasonable?

I'm thinking of trying to find a local independent near me, as I've not been so happy with my Fiat delaer anyway, so would be useful to know what a fair price is.

Cheers,
EF

ElectronicFur said:

OK, I'll admit I'm a bit of a plonker.

Firstly for forgetting that I posted this.

Secondly for also forgetting about my timing belt not having been changed yet.

And finally for having checked the belts, but the belts I looked at where obviously the alternator and water pump v belts.

:doh:

Clearly the cambelt is under the cover as some of you pointed out, next to the camshafts :doh:

So from what you guys are saying, and the car having done 62,000 miles now, I'd better get this changed pronto, as our Italian friends would say, correct?

My Fiat dealer quoted me £277 is that reasonable?

I'm thinking of trying to find a local independent near me, as I've not been so happy with my Fiat delaer anyway, so would be useful to know what a fair price is.

Cheers,
EF

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As far as you find a reputable local garage it is ok... I sadly changed mine at a garage I didn't know much about it (for £150), and needless to say they've bent the tensioner when they've installed it and after less than 1000 miles it fell off... luckily engine wasn't damage (don't know how but I'm a lucky git!). Had to pay an extra ~£300 at my local Fiat garage in Cardigan, but I trust them and hadn't had a problem. Also every time I go to that local garage to ask for my money back they either deny changing it, blame it on the fiat garage (for no apparent reason) or say the boss is not in and will give me a call later. I decided it was more a waste of time to pursue this, as I've lost two weeks in the summer trying to get to them. Sometimes they wouldn't even talk to me

Anyway, I think when it comes to the timing belt, don't be greedy, just get it done somewhere where they know what to do and can time it (synchronise it) properly. And yeah, long story short, 277 quids sounds about alright. You might get it a bit cheaper if you go with your own timing belt kit (save a few bobs, up to 30-40).

Hope that helps,
Andy

A garage that knows its stuff will also replace the belt tensioners at the same time. Some even recommend a new water pump, but that may not be necessary.

do the water pump cheap as chips and a weak point on these engines

Well as they are a Fiat dealer I guess they will know what they are doing, but I lost a bit of confidence in them.

They charged £80 quid for a bulb change. Unfortunately I wasnt around to do it myself, so gf paid, as she needed the car for work. I mean, I know it's a bit of a pain to do, having done the other battery side before, but £80 quid is taking the mick. To add insult to injury, afterwards she wondered what the clunking noise was whenever she went over bumps. When I had a look it turned out they left the water bottle unattached dangling!

Then at last service they said my discs & pads were totally worn needed changing, but when I checked the discs & pad were still fine. And MOT passed fine 6 months later too.

Found an independent Fiat specialist near me, so will ask in the Garages forum if anyone's used them. http://www.acrautos.co.uk/

Cheers,
EF

they wont fit a new pump unless you ask for it

Is it really necessary to change the water pump? My last car went 20 years before I had to replace the water pump because it started leaking a bit.

the 1.6 water pump is AUX belt driven not cam belt driven, so leave it until you need to change it if money is that tight, if there are any water leaks etc then change it. but as already mentioned they are acutally really cheap on the 1.6 and it is easier to change when your doing the belts as well.
Water pumps of old were engineered to last, now they are engineered to last a amount of time, this cuts down on weight, costs to the dealer and performace.

roy lovelock said:

Water pumps of old were engineered to last, now they are engineered to last a amount of time, this cuts down on weight, costs to the dealer and performace.

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Thank Roy, didnt realise that like many things these days they dont make em as they used.

Just doesnt feel right replacing something that aint broke. But maybe its a false economy.

ElectronicFur said:

...My Fiat dealer quoted me £277 is that reasonable?...

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snap their grubby little hands off... you'll find that it will probably come with a 2yr parts AND Labour warranty with it being dealer fitted and thats something money cant buy!

roy lovelock said:

the 1.6 water pump is AUX belt driven not cam belt driven, so leave it until you need to change it if money is that tight, if there are any water leaks etc then change it. but as already mentioned they are acutally really cheap on the 1.6 and it is easier to change when your doing the belts as well.
Water pumps of old were engineered to last, now they are engineered to last a amount of time, this cuts down on weight, costs to the dealer and performace.

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whoops i though we was talking about a jtd for some reason