Technical Cambelt change

[Carey94]

Hi I'm looking to change the Cambelt and all other belts on my grande punto.

Recently bought it, runs perfect etc, but after giving it a service I'd like to do the belts too just for piece of mind as I do with every new car I get.

However iv never changed a belt or chain, so looking for a bit of advice and guidance.

Is it as simple as marking the pulleys before removing the belt, as well as then aligning the pulleys etc back to the same marked position before putting the belt on? I know that's a basic overview but any help I'd appreciate.

I'd post pictures etc for a guide to help others.

Cheers

 

[MrDerv]

It is straight forward to do if you have a decent toolset, patience of a saint, collection of expletives, and instructions.

While you are doing the cambelt, it is wise to replace the tensioner and water pump while you are at it, as it will save you having to do either until the next belt change interval, not to mention preventing engine damage if one of these were to fail.

Have a look in the downloads section, there is a link to eLearn, the belt replacement procedure is listed in it, and easy to follow.

Just take your time, and don't rush it. Follow the instructions to the letter and you'll be fine.

 

[DavyP]

Best way I've seen:- Cut belt in half (lengthways) . remove half. Slide new belt on half way. Remove old half belt. Slide new one fully over wheels. Adjust. Job done.But, as above ,it's wise to change tensioner and pump if you can do easily.

 

[Carey94]

Best way I've seen:- Cut belt in half (lengthways) . remove half. Slide new belt on half way. Remove old half belt. Slide new one fully over wheels. Adjust. Job done.But, as above ,it's wise to change tensioner and pump if you can do easily.

I remember seeing this on a TV show, of the top of my head I can't remember the name but I loved the idea, that was generally my easy way to do it, do the punto have a tensioner I would need to loosen first before hand? Or just cut the belt in half and slip on the new one?

 

[Zapcat]

Also replace the idler bearing if there is one as well as the tensioner, I am speaking from experience.

 

[DavyP]

Guess it's up to you ; if you can get it on without loosening adjuster , do so. but check adjust afterwards, I think that for that ,you shouldn't be able to twist the belt by more than 90 degrees, but probably others can give a definite answer for this.

 

[flisko]

Best way I've seen:- Cut belt in half (lengthways) . remove half. Slide new belt on half way. Remove old half belt. Slide new one fully over wheels. Adjust. Job done.But, as above ,it's wise to change tensioner and pump if you can do easily.

better make markings too, what if old belt slips and you lose timing

 

[Ben D]

Don't see the point of doing it without changing water pump which can't be done with the half belt method to my knowledge. Tjet needs proper locking tools which is why I put mine to a garage that had the right tools. It can obviously be done without the tools but having spoken to a few fiat techs, it is quite easy to get it a tooth out when not using them.

Cheers

 

[Carey94]

Don't see the point of doing it without changing water pump which can't be done with the half belt method to my knowledge. Tjet needs proper locking tools which is why I put mine to a garage that had the right tools. It can obviously be done without the tools but having spoken to a few fiat techs, it is quite easy to get it a tooth out when not using them.

Cheers

wouldnt it be as simple as marking the pulleys, loosening the tensioner, take of belt, replace water pump if you want to, align belt with markings back in right position and then tension up the belt, or is that too simple?

 

[Ben D]

That's what I thought but I was advised against it. I think there is a thread somewhere explaining it. Two cams, one pulley it sounded complicated and for me it was not worth the risk despite normally doing belts myself.

On the upside, pretty much anything else on a GP is fairly straightforward unless you need to change the radiator on the tjet.

Cheers

 

[Carey94]

That's what I thought but I was advised against it. I think there is a thread somewhere explaining it. Two cams, one pulley it sounded complicated and for me it was not worth the risk despite normally doing belts myself.



On the upside, pretty much anything else on a GP is fairly straightforward unless you need to change the radiator on the tjet.



Cheers

I've got the 1.9 mjet so room isn't the best, everything is just squeezed in and awkward to get too if found so far, even the oil filter was awkward in what should be a quick change, couldn't get it loose for a start haha

 

[Bernievarian]

Hi Carey,

the timing and accessories belts replacement procedure is explained in eLearn. You can buy the necessary tools on line...

Regards, Bernie

 

[Ben D]

Sorry mate, thought it was a tjet for some reason. No experience at all with the diesel engines so pleas ignore me!

Cheers

 

[jimboy]

Not really a job for the novice. As pointed out you need specialist/decent tools, ideally a camlock specific to your vehicle. Water pump/tensioner/idler bearing recommended to be changed as well. Not impossible but get it wrong & you can do damage to your engine. You've also worked out that there's not a lot of room to work with.

 

[Carey94]

Sorry mate, thought it was a tjet for some reason. No experience at all with the diesel engines so pleas ignore me!



Cheers

Haha no worries

 

[Carey94]

Hi Carey,

the timing and accessories belts replacement procedure is explained in eLearn. You can buy the necessary tools on line...

Regards, Bernie

Could you post a link, having trouble finding it

 

[varesecrazy]

Sorry mate, thought it was a tjet for some reason. No experience at all with the diesel engines so pleas ignore me!

Cheers

I was about to point out the car would need a Phonic wheel relearn..,
to get the ECU to recognise the 2 x pulley sensor signals as "one" = in sync.
common issue on the 1.2 and 1.4 - MIL at 60mph

however the diesel is NOT that fussy..

 

[Carey94]

I was about to point out the car would need a Phonic wheel relearn..,

to get the ECU to recognise the 2 x pulley sensor signals as "one" = in sync.

common issue on the 1.2 and 1.4 - MIL at 60mph



however the diesel is NOT that fussy..

I was wanting to do this myself, however for peace of mind and lack of experience I might give it to a decent mechanic near me. I mean it's better than ruining an engine for the sake of learning [emoji85]

 

[varesecrazy]

I was wanting to do this myself, however for peace of mind and lack of experience I might give it to a decent mechanic near me. I mean it's better than ruining an engine for the sake of learning [emoji85]

you can always WATCH..

after all you've paid for a "ringside seat"

 

[MrDerv]

Could you post a link, having trouble finding it

http://www.fiat-bg.com/Downloads/Books/Grande_Punto/ Click on the Grande Punto Elearn ISO link, and use a CD Burning program to write the ISO to CD.

Install it from CD and the procedure is located within.

The diesel belt change is straight-forward. Don't worry about phonic relearning etc, as its not something you need to do.