Technical How old is this timing belt?

[AnthonyH]

I've been watching some YouTube vids about changing the timing belt on Grande Puntos and some of them are saying that it is an easy job that can even be stuffed up without major repercussions, is this true?

How old is my belt? Pictures below.

 

[vexorg]

If the engine is non-interference then yes, it means worst that happens is that it runs bad or wont start.

 

[AnthonyH]

If the engine is non-interference then yes, it means worst that happens is that it runs bad or wont start.

It is non-interference, yes.

The engine is 1.2 Litre 8 Valve. Common one. 2010 reg.

 

[AnthonyH]

So how old is this belt do you think?

The car has 102,000 miles on the clock. So is it original? I'm not so sure because the cover was a bit battered up, so the top cover has certainly been off in the past.

 

[lunchbeers]

No idea on age, but that looks pretty shot.

The only way to know for sure is any history or invoices, or as I found on the last belt I did, was a manufacturing date mark on the tensioner, but that's no definite proof of fitting date.

 

[AnthonyH]

The Fiat manual says change every 72,000 miles but Haynes reckons do this at 48,000 miles. So i'm going to have to guess its the original belt even though some of the writing is still on it.

I got the car at 92,000 miles so has someone changed this between 50,000 miles at 92,000. Seems unlikely. No invoices when I bought it.

Anyway, shot like you say. The engine is gently misfiring, nothing terrible, no sterring wheel shaking...yet

 

[jackwhoo]

I wouldn't be surprised if that is the original belt

 

[AnthonyH]

If the timing belt covers have been off but its the original belt then either someone inspected the belt, or the water pump went.

 

[PuntoHowTo]

it is unlikely to be the original but looking at that, its well passed its best.

I would check that the 8v on the grande is non interferance as the 1.4 8v isnt and the later engines had variable valve timing.

 

[AnthonyH]

it is unlikely to be the original but looking at that, its well passed its best.

Interesting.

I would check that the 8v on the grande is non interferance as the 1.4 8v isnt and the later engines had variable valve timing.

I will check this with urgency. I don't want to be slap dash changing the belt while thinking it'll be easily fixable should I make a mistake, then total the engine...

 

[AnthonyH]

Timing belt - which engines are non interference?

Is anyone aware of a definitive list of non interference and interference engines across the Fiat range? I'm mainly asking about petrol engines but maybe diesels will help others as well. Thanks

www.fiatforum.com

If the above thread is to be believed then the 2008 1.2L 8V is non inteference but the later 1.4L isn't. So i'd be OK to change my 2008 GP's timing belt but would need more care with my 1.4L EVO.

 

[vexorg]

Interesting.

You can see cracks on the surface, so that's why most are saying the belt is done. There should be no cracks.

 

[AnthonyH]

You can see cracks on the surface, so that's why most are saying the belt is done. There should be no cracks.

Any idea of how much better fuel economy changing it would bring? Or what performance gains there'd be? It doesn't look like its going to break any time soon.

 

[vexorg]

Zero differrence in performance assuming it's timed correctly now.

That really shouldn't be your deciding factor.....

(.... and a rather worrying approach to car maintenance)

 

[AnthonyH]

Zero differrence in performance assuming it's timed correctly now.

That really should be your deciding factor.....

(.... and a rather worrying approach to car maintenance)

LOL.

The car is a cheapo banger, if it went to the scrapyard i wouldn't miss it. Indeed i'd go buy another cheapo banger

 

[jackwhoo]

change the belt.....
You would likely find a worse cheap car with more problems and have a bigger headache.
Besides you would enjoy learning how to change belt first hand.

 

[AnthonyH]

change the belt.....
You would likely find a worse cheap car with more problems and have a bigger headache.
Besides you would enjoy learning how to change belt first hand.

I'm sure i would enjoy changing it, assuming everything went right. The weather is good too

I've not changed a timing belt before. I've been watching enough youtube vids to be able to change it without too much difficulty (probably).

 

[PuntoHowTo]

cracks in the rubber look like they're almost fully thickness of the belt in places this belt is probably not long for this world now.

its not just about the belt snapping and you putting another one on.

you could end up stranded or worse, broken down in a dangerous position or situation. you could find the belt letting go could still cause damage to other components as a result, someone in the 500x section showed a prime example of an AUX belt breaking and taking out the oil pressure sensor. there is also the potential that if the belt is old, so it is likely, the water pump is old, that can seize and cause over heating potentially before the belt snaps. There are many more issues that can arise from a broken belt so its pretty stupid to take the approach of just changing it, if or when it snaps.

 

[jackwhoo]

There are really good photo walk throughs on forum for your engine....punto , panda, 500

 

[AnthonyH]

cracks in the rubber look like they're almost fully thickness of the belt in places this belt is probably not long for this world now.

its not just about the belt snapping and you putting another one on.

you could end up stranded or worse, broken down in a dangerous position or situation. you could find the belt letting go could still cause damage to other components as a result, someone in the 500x section showed a prime example of an AUX belt breaking and taking out the oil pressure sensor. there is also the potential that if the belt is old, so it is likely, the water pump is old, that can seize and cause over heating potentially before the belt snaps. There are many more issues that can arise from a broken belt so its pretty stupid to take the approach of just changing it, if or when it snaps.

I wasn't going to wait until it snapped no, its more like i'm building up the motivation to learn what would be a new skill for me, with the associated risk of failure and frustration and financial cost.