Technical Cambelts, variators and my new stilo 1.8

[emwmarine]

I pick up my 1.8 stilo estate on Thursday. Only 1 owner, 50k miles and full history. Bought for a bargain price from a cal dealer friend who bought it from a fiat dealer where it was traded in.

I haven't looked through the history in detail but normally change the cam belt on any new car as a pre-caution.

I have read threads on here and will also change the water pump as it seems daft not too.

I have also read about the weakness in the variators. Is it worth spending another 100 quid and replacing this as a precaution or is that complete over kill? It is not making any noise at the moment.

 

[Yellow Peril]

You'll know if the variator is gone by the 'diesel' noise on start up. If you use a good quality synthetic and change the oil and filter regularly, you shouldn't have an issue. I'd leave alone.

 

[Sweex]

If you have the cambelt off you may as well change the variator as if there isnt a lot of history about the car you wont know when it will fail...
If you dont change it and it does fail then the cambelt needs to come back off again.... thus having to get another new cambelt.
Save yourself the hassle and change it whilst the belt is off.

 

[Davren]

I pick up my 1.8 stilo estate on Thursday. Only 1 owner, 50k miles and full history.

if there isnt a lot of history about the car you wont know when it will fail...

Doesn't anyone read posts before replying to them any more?
.

 

[Sweex]

I read, but he also said he hasn't read through it all properly which is why i said if.
It was just worded incorrectly.
Im going to use the excuse that I have man flu and haven't long finished work!

Cheeky begger

 

[emwmarine]

Picked the car up yesterday. It really is very nice. Everything works and the 1.8 engine is pretty smooth and free revving.

Checked all the history and full Fiat services but they haven't changed the cambelt so I have ordered from ebay - cambelt kit, alternator belt, cam locking kit and water pump. Also have ordered the elearning manual. Have a dial gauge.

Assume it is just a question of :

- getting to close to tdc on the right cycle
- fitting the cam locking caps on both cams
- undoing the cam pulleys
- putting the new water pump in
- putting new idler pulleys in
- putting new belt on
- doing up the tensioner
- double checking on TDC with the dial gauge
- doing up the cam pulleys
- checking it all goes round ok.

????

Are all the fasteners torx type?

 

[Sweex]

I'd still be changing the variator if the cambelt hasn't been done.
As like i said before, if it goes in a few weeks or even a year, you'll have to do it all again.