Technical Should I attempt timing belt change - 1242 8v FIRE engine

[mattjohndavies]

I have a Punto with a 1242cc 8v FIRE engine, which is due a timing belt, tensioner and water pump replacement.

I am considering buying the parts and doing the work myself but would like some advice as to how hard the job is. I know its a non-interference engine so it won't destroy the engine if I get it wrong but how hard it is to get the timing marks correct and the engine running well?

Thanks

Matt

 

[Eklipze3k]

There's a guide for that https://www.fiatforum.com/punto-guides/145691-how-replace-timing-belt-tensioner.html

 

[fingers99]

It's pretty easy as such things go.

The big mistake some folk make (and by far the most common) is not to line up the pip on the crank pulley with the hole in the alternator pulley. This just puts the ignition timing out and stops the car starting.



Pics are for Sei, but the timing marks are the same.

 

[Karletto]

Water pump needs to be replaced, the oil and coolant need to be changed, maybe also spark plugs...

If you have a place and some tools, if you know what's what, i say do it.
Check you PM.

 

[ChrisUK]

Id say good for it. One if the easiest engines to do a timing belt on.

Lots of space in the bay too

 

[JLenno]

Yea go for it. No interference engine, so no damage will be done if the timing is out. Just make sure the bottom pully is on correct, there is a little mark on it to line it up.

Just one thing to note aswell, don't over-tighten the tensioner when putting it back on as the threads will be damaged on the inside.

 

[Rosso187]

Matt,
Its quite straight forward job to do. I always mark the Cam pulley and Crankshaft pulley at top dead centre before I take the old belt off. Keep them in this position then you know exactly where they should line up when the new belt is put on.

Rosso187

 

[Ziggy122]

Matt,
Its quite straight forward job to do. I always mark the Cam pulley and Crankshaft pulley at top dead centre before I take the old belt off. Keep them in this position then you know exactly where they should line up when the new belt is put on.

Rosso187

Why mark TDC on the pulleys

if you align the timing marks that are provided on the 8v - and you dont touch them - your sorted

My advice - Hell yes!
Just remember
A - Support engine via sump on blocks of wood with the jack
DONT put the jack on the sump - you risk puncturing it = Oil everywhere

B - Take your time

C - Replace tensioner - and water pump

d - Remember to drain coolant first - otherwise where your working becomes very wet - very quick

Ziggy

 

[mattjohndavies]

Thanks for the advice everyone, made me much more confident about the job Based on everyone's thoughts, I'm gonna go for it (in a couple of weeks after I've paid the insurance).

Matt

 

[s and b]

bare in mind you have to jack the engine up a bit to remove the mounting once undone so leave the jack under on the wood and make sure wood doesnt foul anything else in the process
on reinstall make sure bolt holes are lined up to engine before tightening as someone this week somehow managed to strip 2

 

[Rosso187]

Why mark TDC on the pulleys

if you align the timing marks that are provided on the 8v - and you dont touch them - your sorted

My advice - Hell yes!
Just remember
A - Support engine via sump on blocks of wood with the jack
DONT put the jack on the sump - you risk puncturing it = Oil everywhere

B - Take your time

C - Replace tensioner - and water pump

d - Remember to drain coolant first - otherwise where your working becomes very wet - very quick

Ziggy

As I recall their wasnt any timing marks on the cam pulleys? That's why I marked them up before removing the belt.

 

[DoctorDeath]

As I recall their wasnt any timing marks on the cam pulleys? That's why I marked them up before removing the belt.

2007 Brazilian built Uno 1.2 8V FIRE.

No marks on the cam pulley, because it fits on a tapered shaft.
I lined up the in/ex cams on #1 cylinder with lobes pointing upward and outward equally on a horizontal plane, which is the cam position TDC on power stroke.

The crank pulley has a "V" which should line up with the TDC mark on the sump.

Don't forget a blob of siclicone on each of the four corners of the cam bearings when re-fitting the cam cover. Will save a lot of time finding the oil leak around the top later...

 

[DoctorDeath]

Edit: Forget about the "V" notch on the crank pulley. It has absolutely bugger-all to do with the TDC.
This "toothed" pulley has a spot that looks like there are a few teeth missing. This is actually the TDC mark that can be lined up with the little mark on the sump. (About 130 degrees difference between the "V" and the "flat spot").
Did the straw in the plug hole test to find the correct TDC on cylinder 1.
With cam lobes set as in the picture, I re-assembled and she purred like a kitten again!

 

[inthe]

Hi, can I just ask where you bought the timing belt, tensioner and water pump from? Can't seem to find them ANYWHERE!

 

[bigbrava]

easier way for the timing marks is to use a small mirror and a small torch and look for timing marks on the outer gearbox casing, remove plastic bung top left of bell housing, place a mirror and a small torch so you cam see the marks and hands free. turn the crank pully slowly untill you see the notch in the flywheel line up with the mark in your mirror that says ' 0 ' double check the crank pully mark is near to its mark. also check piston no 1 is on tdc.

finally double check that mark on the gearbox bellhousing is still at the zero lock em all up so they cant move ( i made my lock tools). put the belt on make sure its the right way around and then tension it up to the right tension spec. if you have not got a tension gauge then its about right if you can only twist the belt just about 90 degree or slightly less, too tight and your new belt tensioner will squeel like a good un.

if you need more help just ask.

very easy job though and as everyone else said deffo do it

belt
tensioner (usually comes with the belt)
waterpump
and while your at it new alternator belt

happy days

 

[Ziggy122]

Hi, can I just ask where you bought the timing belt, tensioner and water pump from? Can't seem to find them ANYWHERE!

really haven't looked hard tbh?

Shop4parts have them

Euro Car Parts - Will need to insert your reg number and they'll come up

Ebay is littered with them

www.eurocarcare.net/

Take Note tho
The punto has 2 types of cambelt
Some have more teeth the others
So make sure you match the teeth numbers
And same for the water pumps, they need to be the same number of teeth / Pitch

Otherwise it'll end badly

Ziggy

 

[Jedidrivesafiat]

I ts not hard . . . I to it just 3 hours . . .all the timing and parts replacement . . . And nothing cant go wrong . . . Be cause its 8v . . . If everything went wrong when you do timing it doesnt start anyway ?

 

[Southsea]

Don' rely on euro parts to give you the right parts they are useless in Coventry. If you have any sense go for a reputable brand like Contitech. The job is very easy provided you work methodically and take some reference photos. I did it in far less than three hours.