If you post a link to the car others will have opinions to share (Beard's not been on the Forum for 4 years by the look of it)
Technical Multijet timing chain failure!
- Thread starter MountainRunner
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Multijet timing chain failure!
Blueboy54123
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Thanks really appreciate
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I have a Grande Punto with the same engine, I had my chain changed as preventative maintenance at around 75,000 miles, the company I work for ran a fleet of Doblos with the same engine, all of them had some sort of chain issue before 100,000 miles, either rattling and one snapped. I would check it has reasonable service history, run a good flush through and start with fresh oil and filter.
I am just up the road in Stoke by the way
I sold my 4x4 Multijet with over 130K on it, on its original chain, and noise free. New owner was going to change it, just to be on the safe side, he said.
Blueboy54123
Member
It's got a good service history its last service was Feb 2026 along with a clear mot no advisories im picking it up from kendal and then back to Congleton obviously it could go anytimeI have a Grande Punto with the same engine, I had my chain changed as preventative maintenance at around 75,000 miles, the company I work for ran a fleet of Doblos with the same engine, all of them had some sort of chain issue before 100,000 miles, either rattling and one snapped. I would check it has reasonable service history, run a good flush through and start with fresh oil and filter.
I am just up the road in Stoke by the way
The Panda Nut
Nutty about Pandas Infected by Panda virus and OPD
Sounds good. Pay for an inspection and askspecific questions be answered. Moneywell spent!
Blueboy54123
Member
Can you inspect a timing chain
Not as far as I know, there's no way of telling if it's going to last another 100 miles or 100 000 miles
If it's been remapped the oil tends to go like gritty like sand, needs more often oil changes
When the chain stretches too much the adjuster tends to lock up and the chain starts to eats through the guides
Soon after that you will hear the chain slapping around
It's not likely to last much after that
If you drop the sump you will normally find bits of the guide
Not an expert on the multijet so will leave it to others
The only way I can think of to get an idea of the condition of a chain without dismantling is to get an oil analysis done (e.g.Millers Vision). Might be worth asking them first what the likely benefits would be though.
Has been a very helpful way of understanding the condition of various engines for me in the past.
Has been a very helpful way of understanding the condition of various engines for me in the past.
???
Both labour and kit is more expensive
Failure is also usually more catastrophic than the 1.1 and 1.2
The minimum damage is snapped and bent rockers
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The Panda Nut
Nutty about Pandas Infected by Panda virus and OPD
A good engineer can make an informed assessment based on the running of the engine and the noise. Better than an untrained ear Im sure. You may be able to purchase some form of warranty based on the report too.
Blueboy54123
Member
I've made my mind up i am going to buy it its got an almost full service history from new loads of straight mot passes only advisories were tyres and front discs and pads and that's it she's going to her local garage today to speak to the owner as to whether there is any rattling of the chain or whether he has done it in the past she can't find bits and bobs of paperwork but she's doing her best for me
Well at least here last case 500€ all inc (labour, VAT, oil change). Similar to most belt works 300-600€.
€180 in Spain for a 1.2 at an independent
€310 at the fiat main dealer
It's a half hour job
Main dealer for a 1.3 multijet €700
There's no way a garage is going to charge the same, it's nowhere near the same job
It's twice the parts cost
It's 4-5x the labour
You compare with 1.2 engine, I'm comparing with general cost for most of normal belt engines, 1.6, 2.0... petrol and diesel.
My prices are for independent shop here.
Nobody here charge half hour? 30min? for full belt timing job.
Parts cost depend on engine, many belt timing with water pump are expensivier than that chain.
At the end, it's not an expensive work vs other full belt work out there for most cars.
It's a panda section of the forum
The 1.3 chain is twice the cost of a 1 1/1.2/1.4
Yes the 1.1/1.2 can be done in half an hour did not say that what a garage would charge
Removing the sump alone doubles the job considering has to be cleaned up and resealed
engine cooling tank
Engine front mount
Engine side mount if aircon
Right front wheel
Auxbelt
crankshaft pulley
manual gearbox bracket
crank case oil sump
Timing covers
Vs
air cleaner
right front wheel
alternator drive belt
Crankshaft aux pull
timing covers
Engine mount
Blueboy54123
Member
She has agreed to drop the price to £2400 because the timing chain hasn't been changed i only had£3000so hopefully i can cover the cost with the £600 left hopefully the car is worth that much
Shop around for a quote and finger crossed
No idea how much they are worth, like I said this is the pre 2012 section, I see a dealer one 1.3 trekking at £2.6K but it all depends on condition but sound in the right ball park, if it's rough might be on the money, if it's mint a bargain is my feeling
The Panda Nut
Nutty about Pandas Infected by Panda virus and OPD
Its clearly been looked after and not messed about so I bet its a good buy. As you have a reduction you can be ready to change this is required. Trekking is a great choice. Better in slippery conditions than a standard 2wd and has the slightly higher stance of the 4x4. Good luck and do keep following on here
