I'm not fan of jacking these engines on the sump pan; that's just inviting another well know problem if the sump is less than perfect!
If you know what your doing, are suitably forewarned, and work carefully, you'll be just fine.
Especially as the older power units did have timing marks on the cam pulley.
unless the sump is in good order I'd not do it either - they're well known for rusting into "pepper pots". However I haven't had a problem with one in good order. For those wondering what the fuss is about, the danger here is that if you distort the sump by pushing the bottom up then it might restrict the oil pump pipe intake which is highly undesirable of course.
Exactly five years. Had the car 9 years now its had 10 services and 2 cambelts at 5 year intervals, 51000 miles turned over this week.
Or more likely because you are posh and they add a bit on.... LOL
Not really I paid just 280 for the belt pump and coolant on my Tipo 2 years ago
Possible I suppose, although I'm not very "posh" - have you seen my post in the "smile" thread? that isn't "posh". However most of the people who own small workshops around here are people I know from my years in the trade so, main dealer apart, I recon the quotes are valid. Anyone in London able to check prices for us? I bet they would come in more expensive?
Jock, it depends on what level your standing where the posh scale starts..... From down at my level, you are posh! I think your dress sense is first class by the way. Comfotable wins the day for me every time. On the rare occasions we go out somewhere specific and I have to tidy up its quite hard work these days. I did however find and try on a really good quality pair of strides I bought, aged about 35, the other day and they fit!!!! I have shrunk a lot on the last couple of years I think. My daughters can't remember me wearing them, which is sad as they are both around the same age as the pants.
I really agree. Even check on parts prices. Fiat stuff is often outrageously expensive, but not always. I had an EGR replaced by teh dealer on my Bravo for less than people were quotingthe eBay parts price. I got the FIAT parts warranty which is still something worth factoring in. AFter our latest cambelt troubles I intend to ensure only genuine FIAT parts are used on the vast majority of jobs in future. Dealers are mostly the worst case in terms of price, but if you ask as SB 1500 says you have a point of reference. Always ask on here as there are mugs like me who probably paid the worst possible price! LOL
By the way Panda Nut, I sorted my cambelt issues on my grandmothers 1.2 Panda. In our case it was incorrect set tension on the new tensioner which was my fault. We did refit the original part but chances are that el cheapo part we had would have also went back on and been quiet.
hanks for this. I hope so. Its easy to get thse things slightly wrong. I shall tell them what you have said. If I were not old and getting older I would buy the cam locking tools. Having all three Pandas with new belts on in the last few weeks means I shall be likely beyond doing them next time.! Im paying them to fit and aux belt so maybe we will all come out smiling.By the way Panda Nut, I sorted my cambelt issues on my grandmothers 1.2 Panda. In our case it was incorrect set tension on the new tensioner which was my fault. We did refit the original part but chances are that el cheapo part we had would have also went back on and been quiet.
Though I always use genuine parts on my own cars now and I’d say they’re worth every penny for peace of mind! I wanted to on the Panda too only it wasn’t my money to spend sadly! lol
Perhaps your mechanic can get it sorted without having to use any new parts though.
OP, as another tip, I’d casually mention something about how you read online about folks doing it or having their mechanics do it and end up with a ‘whiny engine’ - this might get them thinking ahead of time that if they change your cam belt and there’s a whine after, that you’re already aware that it’s not normal and will kick off, leading to them hopefully doing their homework before the job or making sure by the time you collect it, that it’s done right and quietly
In fairness, it seems daunting the first time. But the second time I had to strip it to check it, it was so much faster I had it stripped down in 40 mins. Didn’t have to mess with the rocker cover etc. I’m sure a professional with a good workshop should be able to do it even faster and easier again. Hopefully he doesn’t make it a problem and sorts you out so you’ll be back in the future. Keep us updated always nice to hear the outcome
I’ve been quoted £350 by a Fiat specialist.
Thats not a bad price but could be better. If its using Fiat parts its probably on the money.
