Technical Cam Belt Change

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Technical Cam Belt Change

tiger19

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Hi, i will be changing the cambelt (kit with waterpump etc) soon and wonder if anyone has also done this themselves, tips/problems etc. The MH is 2016 Ducato 130 multijet F1AE3481D. I have a manual and have watched some video (albeit foreign language) but is always nice to get some first-hand experience/thoughts.
 
I have done many cam belts but not your particular model, the only advice would be check and double check its right and make sure the tension is right.
I always turn the engine over by hand on the bottom pulley when finished to make sure nothing is hitting.
Get it wrong and its probably going to be a new engine.

Good luck.
 
Interesting video, and shows how the designers have made life unnecessarily complicated for a routine job which is scheduled for every 5 years.

The engine shown appears to be a single overhead cam (not sure if they made a 2.3 with SOHC), and is mounted longitudinally so access is a lot better.

I have no idea how the Ducato transverse layout should be tackled, unless you have a trained monkey with small hands ! The last time I got a specialist to do just the belt change they took 4 hours, which I think is less than the Fiat book time because it is a job they do frequently.
 
Hi Anthony489
I agree completely, why make something so bloody complicated in the first place - the mind boggles, as to the SOHC, just to make it more complicated it is actually a DOHC with the second camshaft run off the first via a chain at the rear of the engine!
Which is exactly why when we decided back in 2016 to upgrade our X244 Motorhome to an X290 it was to be the 3.0 or nothing, we got 1 of the last 3.0 litre Ducatos our Motorhome manufacturer had left.
The thought of having to change that belt every 5 years put me off the 2.3 engine that they now only use for what ever reason I don't know, maybe to standardise parts. I was under the impression that timing belts were on the way out, most Japanese manufactures have gone to chains.
At first I thought it was maybe the 3.0 wouldn't pass emission levels but that is obviously not the case as Iveco have at least 3 versions of the 3.0 including a twin turbo in their latest Dailys?
Cheers
 
Why any manufactures decided to go the way of belts in preference to chains is odd. The 5 year life is equally as crazy and a pain. Some diesels are "non contact" and if the belt breaks will not destroy the engine. However, the job is not tooooo bad if you do your own maintenance and pretty decent with motors. There are a few handy videos showing the procedure with the transverse, most not English, but informative non the less. this one is quite good.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SaNY1r4wg6Q
 
And although chains are meant to last "a lifetime" (which I've never seen a vehicle manufacturer specifically define) they sometimes don't, and cost a lot more to replace than a belt, any additional engine damage not withstanding.

Look at the issues the VW group have had with timing chains.
 
And although chains are meant to last "a lifetime" (which I've never seen a vehicle manufacturer specifically define) they sometimes don't, and cost a lot more to replace than a belt, any additional engine damage not withstanding.

Look at the issues the VW group have had with timing chains.

BMW's with the diesel's as well
 
Tiger19 - did you change your timing belt? Mine is due this year and I wondered how you got on especi with the lack of access compared to the Iveco video (Fiat being a transverse engine). Did you need any special tools, I see you need a puller for the water pump gear?
 
BMW's with the diesel's as well
Mercedes have stayed with chains almost 100% and have little trouble. One or two single chain versions have created issues but double chain motors last forever.
 
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