Cambelts...Failing after replacement!

[Stuart]

I've been forced to spend a lot of dosh on my Brava lately, postponing the cam-belt change I'd planned to have done.
Checking the Search section I find that no-end of Bravo/a owners have had their cam-belt/tensioners etc replaced, only to have them fail soon after!
This suggests that the work or the parts used were sub-standard. Most of the failures seem to have been done by Garages, who then deny responsiblity!

For those of us that don't live near to this sites' recommended Garages that do cam-belts etc can anyone suggest a trustworthy/competant garage in the Nottingham area?
Also, do cam-belts need to be replaced at a Fiat Dealer (evidently the 1.6 requires special tools) or what?

I must say after reading all the stuff this site provides on cam-belts I'm damned if I know what to do for the best....seems like not many can be trusted to do a good job!
Anyone had a successful cam-belt/tensioner change in or around Nottingham? If so please let me know where.

Appreciate any help!

 

[Sabre 23]

Within about 3 weeks of having mine done I noticed some odd noises coming from under the bonnet.
Rang the garage who did the replacement the following morning, from work. They told me to bring her straight in.
The tensioner (allegedly) had failed.
Fixed it straight away, no charge.

Mark.
Council estate lad.
And proud of it!
Member of the Guild of Experienced Motorists.

 

[Stuart]

Mark,

good job you noticed the noise, and had the sense to take it back. Still at least they sorted it.
Are you anywhere near Nottingham?

 

[Anonymous]

i can recommend one in nottingham in bulwell they did mine after my dads mate fecked about with it and messed it up. Will get the number and address for you 2morrow.

 

[Tom]

All the engines really need the proper cam locking tools to ensure the cam timing is kept when replacing the belt.

I think a few of the failures are due to poor work (belt wrongly tensioned) or failure to replace all the tensioners (as there are several on some engines) or the aux belts.

 

[Ash]

best method is diy

 

[Stuart]

mysty678,

the name & number for somwhere in Bulwell would be great, thanks.

ash,

DIY out of the question for me, but I take your point, at least you know the quality of the work!

Tom,

do independants have the correct tools, or must it be a Fiat Dealer?
Also how many tensioners on a 1996P 1.6SX Brava?

Due to all the recent hassles I won't enjoy driving my Brava again until the cam-belt is replaced. Just need to know somewhere local that does a good job. A recommendation would go a long way to ease the paranoia!

 

[Sven]

Think there are 2 for the aux and the cambelt. One is a selfadjusting one and one a fix one. Change all when you do the change.

Members Site - - - - - - - My Site

 

[Tom]

There are no self adjusting tensioners. The 1.6 has an idler and a tensioner, both need replacing.

The aux belts are tensioned by the PAS pump and alternator.