Replacing cambelt on a HGT with the engine still in.................

[SCOTTY-HGT]

I contacted S&H motors in Poole and they quoted £259 plus parts and VAT to change the cambelt, the only thing is they say that they do it without removing the engine can this be done?

Thay also said that there is no need to replace the tensioner as these are checked while everything is dismanteled, if a tensioneris required to be replaced could this still be done with the engine inthe car?

Thanks in advance

Scotty

 

[SCOTTY-HGT]

Any ideas on this as I need to book it in ASAP?

Scotty

 

[gcol]

Re: Re: Replacing cambelt on a HGT with the engine still in.................

I've heard this before, I recall someone saying that you can move the engine sideways a little to change the belt. If they say they can do it let 'em try. Hold them to the price they quote though. Also get the tensioner changed as a matter of course. Although it may look fine, over time the plastic wheel on the tensioner goes harder/brittle and occassionally shatters. Better be on the safe side and change it. I think the tensioner costs about £80 +fitting.
Good luck,
Gcol

p.s. get the old tensioner back off them to prove they've done the work.

 

[SCOTTY-HGT]

Re: Re: Re: Replacing cambelt on a HGT with the engine still in.................

I dont know too much about cambelts etc, the only thing I'm worried about is if they just move the engine to one side will they have enough room to replace the tensioners along with the belt, would the tensioners be easy to get at and remove in a confined space.

All info greatfully received

Scotty

PS, how much can I expect to pay for a 48k service on a HGT?

 

[Roger Ramjet]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Replacing cambelt on a HGT with the engine still in.................

Yes, the tensioner's can be changed with the engine tilted, as can the cambelt itself.

The price you've been quoted seems extremely cheap as the bely plus tensioners are about £180, so I'm guessing they're not genuine parts.

Regarding your 48k service, it depends on whether you'r etaking it to Fiat or not.

 

[SCOTTY-HGT]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Replacing cambelt on a HGT with the engine still in.................

The price quoted is for labour only, not inclusive of vat or parts.

Thanks for the info mate, looks like I should be booking it in after xmas.

Scotty

 

[Roger Ramjet]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Replacing cambelt on a HGT with the engine still in.................

Make sure they use Fiat a belt and tensioners!

 

[JohnP]

I got my 1.6 belt done at S&H (I work down the road from them)

They did a good job, very bright guys would defiantly recommend them

 

[DUTCH HGT]

NO!

I've heard it before, and checked it with my local Fiat-Alfa-Lancia-specialist; they also say the cambelt CAN be changed without takin the engine out, BUT
the tensioners CAN'T!!!

Problem is that the thing that makes the cambelts go... is the tensioner-bearing!!!!!!

It's a crappy thing, when it jams...bye bye cambelt & engine!!!!!

So when changing the cambelt, certainly the first replacement (in your case too?! I guess so with 48k), you HAVE TO replace the tensioner too!!!!!

As far as I've heard Fiat uses better bearings for the newer tensioners. So with replacing the tensioners on your first cambelt-change, you're on the safe side!!

Peter

 

[SCOTTY-HGT]

Re: Re: Replacing cambelt on a HGT with the engine still in.................

Thanks for the advice, I've now found a Fiat/Alpha specialist who will do a cambelt/tensioner and bearing change for £500 all in, seems like a good price to me.

Also a 48k service was £175 all in!!

Scotty

 

[david firth]

alright mate that garage is talking a load of shite there is no way they can change your cambelt for that price without removing the engine or replacing the tensioner. if you send it there your a fool so to say. as the tensoners are made of upvc and they will not last another 65000 miles on the next interval. there is a place that will do it for you for 500 brick all in. i know this cos mine is sat in his garage right now he has just done a complete strip of my engine for a grand hes a top bloke. where do you live im up in bradford if your close its worth sending it to him, his garage is called Betacar which is a fiat and lancia specialist

 

[Richard]

Re: Re: Re: Replacing cambelt on a HGT with the engine still in.................

Scotty - got a name and telphone number for the guys you've booked in with?

 

[Anonymous]

Re: Re: Replacing cambelt on a HGT with the engine still in.................

CAMBELT, TENSIONER AND BEARING £500. I HAD MY 48K SERVICE DONE TODAY FOR £165

RED MOTORI LTD
High Street
Spetisbury
Blandford
DT11 9DW

01258 857737

SCOTTY

 

[Tipo16v]

.

God some of you need to take your blinkers off.

A cambelt / tensior / waterpump can all be done with the engine still in the car.

There are numerous specialists on the coupe forum who can do this and will take them about 6 hours or less to do the full change (remember they have the same engines in the same space as you)

So next time someone says they need to take your engine out to do a belt change, laugh, walk away and find a decent specialist who can do it

 

[Anonymous]

Re: .

The coupe can de done with the engine in situ but the Bravo cant. You need to remove the engine to get the tensioner out because of the room needed to withdraw it. Yes there are people out htere who can do the job for £200 on a coupe but be very wary of anyone who says they can on a Bravo, cos you cant.

 

[Tipo16v]

.

that strange as i would have thought it would be identical (same engine and engine bay etc)

do the coupe 20vt use different thinner tensiors than the HGT or something?

 

[Anonymous]

Re: .

There are significant differences in the engine bays of the two cars, where the Coupe was designed the Bravo inherited!

 

[Ribzz]

Re: Re: .

this may be a bit hard to take in lol!!!!

I know a guy who has done a few 20v Bravos and Coupes for less than that.

And yes the engine does stay in the car while the ca belt is changed.

He does it buy cutting out the inner wing out, chages the belt then welds the inner wing back in to place.

the above is not a joke either!!