Hi all,

Im after a bit of help. Ive just bought my 1st Fiat, a 52 plate Stilo (1.9 JTD 8v) and Im in the middle of changing the cambelt. I ordered a genuine cambelt kit (Part Number of kit: 71736726) from ebay and water pump and started the job. All going well until I took the idler pulley off to find its different to the new one supplied. The recess in the bearing is different to the one I took off and the bolt doesn't sit in the bearing as far and hence isn't long enough.

Ive been reading other posts on here where people report a similar problem and they went and bought a longer bolt from Fiat. I've spoken to 2 different Fiat dealers today both looked on the system and said there is only 1 bolt listed for my car and if I order that it'll probably be the same as the one I already have. They also both said that Fiat don't list a cambelt kit (belt, tensioner and idler) for a 1.9jtd 8v Stilo you have to buy the bits separately, so they think I've got the wrong thing. The box it came in all looks genuine and has Stilo listed on the box as well as a whole list of other Fiat models.

Im not sure what to do next, should I send it back and get the bits separately (assuming he'll even take it back) I imagine pricing it from a Fiat dealer separately will be hugely more expensive. Should I get a Dayco or Gates Kit and hope that the pulley from them is correct? Do I just need to get a different bolt and use what I have? If so does anyone know what part number it is so I can order one? I figured ordering a genuine Fiat kit would mean there wouldn't be any issues. The price was also very competitive, maybe this is why!?

Please see attached photos to help.

Any help/advice much appreciated.

Hi just so you know I did mine last year with fiat cambeltr kit 0071736726 just checked the old bits I took off and mine was like the black idle pully, I had no issues I got mine from shop4parts..perhaps yours had been done in past and the kit was not an origenal item but then why would the bolt look like is was manufactured for that different pulley and not be on the fiat parts list ,,if you order another kit you going to find yourself in same situation with the bolt, if others have done it by changing for a longer bolt with no issue you could be ok but the bolt would need to fit the pully with similar play init that the one you took off.but as you know you are dealing with cambelt and not want anything tiny out of place...the black pulley I fitted I had no problems with and is a 115 jtd

Also the box the kit came in is identical to yours so not know why dealer say they do not do kit

Ok thanks for that, its good to know the kit should fit. I imagine its the same kit for all 8v JTD engines but for some reason Fiat Dealers in the UK dont include it in listings for the Stilo?

So maybe my cambelt was done before using an after market kit with a different pulley and a different bolt? Then whoever fitted it disregarded the original bolt and used a newer shorter one to suit the after market pulley? Or does any one know is this steel pulley an original part and Fiat somewhere down the line changed it?

I have service history up to 50,000 mile and the cambelt wasn't changed. Its now on 78,000 so I figured I should change it. Im not sure if it has ever been done or not, but the idler pulley is a little rusty.

Yeah I dont want to put any old bolt in as Im sure the length and shoulder sizing is critical to keep the bearing spinning smoothly and with no play. Does any one know the length of a standard bolt for a 8v JTD Stilo (overall length and shoulder length) because if mine has been changed for a shorter bolt in the past to suit an after market idler pulley, maybe all I need is a new original bolt from Fiat?

Good bit of thinking on the bolt...if the black pully you got and I got is listed as the standard pully then you would think the standerd bolt would be made to match the pully for the genuine kit..
Hope it is sorted bug**r to be stopped half way through the job just cause of a bolt sure to be someone with knowledge on this somewhere on forum

The last pic looks ok maybe there a spacer missing from the one you took off as the bolt is 2 long. ( I don't think the collar on bolt goes into engine only the thread ) I would just fit a make sure everything is free and timed up.

bug**r to be stopped half way through the job

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Yeah I know, I hope someone can give me a definite answer one way or another soon. I was hoping to get it finished this weekend.

The last pic looks ok maybe there a spacer missing from the one you took of as the bolt is to long.

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I agree it looks like it should be right but its not. The threads dont even start screwing into the block as its too short, and the head of the bolt sits on the face of the bearing rather then inside. Im guessing the right bolt might be an allen key? I still need the dimensions of a standard bolt really to see if mine is wrong.

I just recently done mine and it was a bolt can you upload pic of engine with view of belt location.

can you upload pic of engine with view of belt location.

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Yeah I can take a pic tomorrow and upload it.

I don't think the collar on bolt goes into engine only the thread

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Im pretty sure the collar does go into the block as so much sticks out through the end of the bearing and when I tried seeing if the new idler would screw in with this bolt it wouldn't even bite. I'll have a look to see if a spacer of some sort did fall onto the floor though.

could it be the flange of the bolt that is too wide to allow it to fit into the recess of the new pulley..and without sounding rude it is the right hole you are trying to stick it in..
if you filed or grind the bolt flange to allow it to fit perhaps the distance of thread would match..yes as above mine was a bolt not allen key type..if is not flange is it removable waher you could change.., can not remeber exactly how much tread was showing on mine when I did it.

The dealers you've spoken to are partially correct, in that Fiat don't supply a timing belt kit for JTD 8v Stilos up to engine number 3646771 (fitted 15/05/2003). On ePER (the Fiat parts catalogue), this is shown as Modification number 6988. Items marked C6988 are up to that engine number and date, Items marked D6988 are for after it.

Item #15 (the kit), part number 71736726 is marked D6988, so is only suitable for the later engine numbers. The idler (item #3), the bolt (item #4) and the washer (item #12) are all different for before and after engine number 3646771.

As far as I can make out, you would need to buy the later bolt, part number 55190553, and the later washer, part number 55190554, to be able to use your new kit.
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The dealers you've spoken to are partially correct, in that Fiat don't supply a timing belt kit for JTD 8v Stilos up to engine number 3646771 (fitted 15/05/2003). On ePER (the Fiat parts catalogue), this is shown as Modification number 6988. Items marked C6988 are up to that engine number and date, Items marked D6988 are for after it.

Item #15 (the kit), part number 71736726 is marked D6988, so is only suitable for the later engine numbers. The idler (item #3), the bolt (item #4) and the washer (item #12) are all different for before and after engine number 3646771.

As far as I can make out, you would need to buy the later bolt, part number 55190553, and the later washer, part number 55190554, to be able to use your new kit.

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Davren, Thank you thank you :worship: the perfect answer, well explained and just what I needed to know. It all make sense now, I knew there had to be a simple explanation behind it all. The Fiat dealer also said the part number for my bolt was 46464329 which coincides with the earlier bolt number show on the ePER table.

So am I right in thinking if I get the later type bolt and washer there should be no issues for me to use this idler?

I've also just noticed that the ePER table shows there's an earlier and a later type tensioner pulley!?

I'l have to check again, but I believe they looked identical to me, a bit worrying though as they have different part numbers, is the spring preloaded differently or something? Should I use the new type one or send it all back and get all the bits individually?

Other people on here say they're just bought a new bolt and fitted the new idler but if the tensioner part number is different surely that's a concern or is it something of nothing?

Do timing belt kits from other manufacturers come with bolts or are they sold as pre and post 15/05/2003 kits?

Thanks again for the help...

if is any help that identical kit you have I fitted to 53 plate 115 jtd registered on my documents Jan 2004

Also you may have already looked but in the guides section link below there is a guide on the jtd cambelt change , if anything not add up for you may be handy, though no picture showing the idler pully
https://www.fiatforum.com/stilo-guides/204297-fiat-stilo-jtd-cambelt-change.html

may have already looked but in the guides section link below there is a guide on the jtd cambelt change

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Yeah I've seen the guide thanks, it was very handy but made no mention of the pre and post 15/05/2003 engines and the fact the components were slightly different.

If you fitted an identical kit to your 53 plate 115 jtd with out any problems I think its safe to assume your engine was manufactured after 15/05/2003 and has an engine number greater then 3646771. Sadly mine isn't hence the troubles

Still at least I now know what the issue is, I'm just looking for advice on whether to just buy a new bolt and washer and go with what I've got, or whether I should send it all back and get the earlier type components. Its a bit of a shame that the tensioner is a different part number too. I'd like to know whether its fine to use the later one or not and what the difference is..?

haxman said:

So am I right in thinking if I get the later type bolt and washer there should be no issues for me to use this idler?

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Yes... blue/orange arrows next to the earlier idler, part number 7763644 indicate there is a conditional part number change. It has changed to part number 55187100 providing you also use the later bolt and washer. The idler in your kit will be 55187100, so you only need the later bolt and washer.

haxman said:

I've also just noticed that the ePER table shows there's an earlier and a later type tensioner pulley!?

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Modification number 6528 next to the adjustable tightener is just an "Adaption to Standard" modifcation. I means that Fiat have discovered that they have two part numbers for the same item, so now only use the later number.

haxman said:

Do timing belt kits from other manufacturers come with bolts or are they sold as pre and post 15/05/2003 kits?

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I always use Dayco kits. They and Gates kits (and probably others) are supplied with the later idler and the appropriate bolt and washer so the kit can be used on pre and post 15/05/2003 Stilos. As in the photo of mine below.
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Fantastic, so I'm good to just order the later bolt, part number 55190553, and the later washer, part number 55190554 and fit what I've got...?

Here's hoping my local Fiat dealers has them in stock in the morning...

Can I ask why you choose to fit a Dayco belt instead of a genuine Fiat kit?

Thanks so much for the speedy help, I really appreciate it

haxman said:

Fantastic, so I'm good to just order the later bolt, part number 55190553, and the later washer, part number 55190554 and fit what I've got...?

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That's what I would do in your situation. I'm guessing your Fiat kit was £69 on eBay? It would be more expensive to send it back and get the individual parts from Fiat.

haxman said:

Can I ask why you choose to fit a Dayco belt instead of a genuine Fiat kit?

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I've always used Dayco. They are original equipment manufacturers to Fiat, and in this case, because they supply a kit that's suitable for my pre 15/05/2003 Stilo. Just fitted another one last week.

Are you anywhere near SE London?
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Davren said:

That's what I would do in your situation. I'm guessing your Fiat kit was £69 on eBay? It would be more expensive to send it back and get the individual parts from Fiat.
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Yeah £63.54 on ebay, my local motor factors came back with a price of £170 not sure what make but genuine Fiat kit for £63.54 seemed good to me.

lol I bet if you ordered all the individual parts from Fiat, it would come to more then the cost of buying the kit and bolt + washer!

Davren said:

I've always used Dayco. They are original equipment manufacturers to Fiat, and in this case, because they supply a kit that's suitable for my pre 15/05/2003 Stilo. Just fitted another one last week.
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So if Dayco are OEM to Fiat is the belt in my kit a Dayco? lol I wish I'd know the pre 15/05/2003 situation earlier, I did have a good look on this forum before I ordered but never really found anything about it. The guy I bought it from did a parts check on my number plate so I figured it would all be ok.

Davren said:

Are you anywhere near SE London?
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No mate SE Wales, but I get down to Guildford a lot which is where my girlfriend lives. Looking forward to doing the trip in my comfy Stilo soon...

Be handy if you got time and your wheels rolling again to add the information about the bolt issue to a post in jtd cambelt guide am sure it would come in handy to anyone who has a head scratching moment like yourself over why the square not fit in the round hole..
good that you got the information you needed to get out of that pickle of a bolt issue..learn something new here everyday

mhowse said:

Be handy if you got time and your wheels rolling again to add the information about the bolt issue to a post in jtd cambelt guide am sure it would come in handy to anyone who has a head scratching moment like yourself over why the square not fit in the round hole..
good that you got the information you needed to get out of that pickle of a bolt issue..learn something new here everyday

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Yeah good idea, when I've finished the job I'll put a link from that guide to this thread, hopefully it might help a few people in the future...

Not sure of all the individual prices from Fiat without going into ePER again, but I know the belt alone is over £40.

Dayco supply tensioners and idlers to Fiat, but the belt in the Fiat kit is supplied by FPT. There's a recent discussion on another thread about whether it's Fenner Power Transmission or Fiat Power Transmission. Both are companies that make drive belts.

If you go to Guildford, have a look at the forum events thread here: https://www.fiatforum.com/events/319372-auto-italia-brooklands-2013-a.html we will be at Brooklands for a show in May.

I only asked where you were because I'll have spare bolts and washers in my garage from the previous times I've replaced my belt.
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