Technical timing belt interval with low mileage?
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Technical timing belt interval with low mileage?
Fiat say 5 years is the time interval to change the belt. Personally I would not change the water pump as well at that mileage.
Look at the service schedule in the manual.
UK has no interval inspection of the belt like some countries so 5 year replacement.
The service history should help alongside how long the vehicle has been static.
UK has no interval inspection of the belt like some countries so 5 year replacement.
The service history should help alongside how long the vehicle has been static.
Communicator
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On my x244 2.8jtd, which is a low mileage vehicle, I had the belt changed at 6 years. I have subsequently changed it myself at 12 years, and 18 years. No problems so far. At each of the latter two changes, I could not see any trace of wear on the rollers, but as they were in the kit, i changed them. I am not sure that I will still be using the vehicle when it is 24 years old. If I remember correctly current mileage is about 35,000.
thanks for info, is it easy to change by yourself? good access?
theoneandonly
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I changed mine at 5 years with only 8,000 miles the age of the rubber is more important than milage. Anybody who has had a belt go would never exceed the limmit, the probability of failure increases with age. I had a passat belt go 2 months before 5 yrs were up and 2 days before it was booked in. Dont change the water pump unless its leaking they can last 300,000miles.
Yes change it as a kit it's a lot cheaper than a blown up engine .
Changing the belt is not difficult - the problem is access
For an idea of what is involved check out these you tube vids
bear in mind that if your motorhome was registered in 2019 the belt could have been on 7 years already
I wouldn't risk it any longer - but you might be lucky.
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I'm also looking to have my 2013 Fiat Ducato 130 timing belt changed. Since owning new, i've never had it done and assumed that like Japanese car makes, timing belt to change at 60,000 miles. It's done nearly that. This change every 5 years in my opinion depends on the environment. Where I live in New Zealand the weather temperatures are not so extreme.
Since it's not a straight forward belt replacement, i'm siding on only taking my Ducato to the Fiat dealer.
Since it's not a straight forward belt replacement, i'm siding on only taking my Ducato to the Fiat dealer.
Yep, I like to play the odds and stats. There's a reason for saying the timing belt should be changed every 5 years. It's all to do with statistics and probability of failure. They want to capture so that no engine timing belt fails so in the entire population of Ducato engines going around, they want to ensure nearly 100% does not fail.so you have original belt since 2013? 12 years??? wow, good belt then
The reality is i'm certain well over 95% of those belts removed, could have easily done another 2 or 4 years. So many varying factors on the life of the part, hence why I say the environment (extreme temperatures, humidity, etc.) do have an impact or longevity of the belt.
Then there's the collateral damage aspect. How can you be certain the garage mechanic will be so careful and thorough in doing the timing belt and water pump swap??? Can the task be done as well as how these engines are assembled off the production line? Your mileage will vary.
Yes going to 12 years. But time is time. It's the mileage or use of the timing belt that matters more.
I replaced cambelt ( did job myself with help of YouTube videos) in our MH (2018 model - 43,000 km) after five years, looked as good as new, didnt replace water pump. Also only locked crankshaft and cam wheel ( didnt bother locking cams) runs fine. Makes me wonder why I can buy a DAYCO cambelt kit for our Toyota Landcrusier and replace at 80,000 - 100,000 km any yet same DAYCO brand kit for Fiat should be / recommended change at 5 years.
Also seems to be a lot of mis-conception re water pump change, had Fiat agent say "water pump must be replaced every 5 years, same as can belt'. Why ? apart from earning money for dealer.
I can understand from cost point of view, water pump replacement at same time as cam belt may make economic sense, but no mention of it in Fiat Maintenance Schedule. Would hate to think how much money has been (for want of a better word) wasted on replacing cam belts and water pumps when not really needed.
Live in NZ, so dont really have cold weather issues.
Also seems to be a lot of mis-conception re water pump change, had Fiat agent say "water pump must be replaced every 5 years, same as can belt'. Why ? apart from earning money for dealer.
I can understand from cost point of view, water pump replacement at same time as cam belt may make economic sense, but no mention of it in Fiat Maintenance Schedule. Would hate to think how much money has been (for want of a better word) wasted on replacing cam belts and water pumps when not really needed.
Live in NZ, so dont really have cold weather issues.
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theoneandonly
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Reccomendations for changing semi consumables seems to vary with Supplier and teritory. eg in UK it used to be the case that Fiat didnt supply a kit with water pump included, this has only been available in last couple of years. for cambelt change Fiat dealers ask what do you want pump or no pump. It is almost universal in the european car world to replace both because the pumps are not of commercial vehicle quality. My only other experiance of a new vehicle is a VW UP! a 3cylidar 1000cc. There may be a difference between VW and its dealers in europe and in UK but cambelt replacement in uk 5yr 50,000 miles europe 100,000 life. Is it a differrent cambelt ? doubt it what life do i give it??
I can only guess Dayco Cambelt in Ducato may be under more stress than Dayco cambelt in Landcruiser? More tension / shock / Going round tighter bends or whatever.
Incidentally does anyone know how to tell whether Dayco Cambelt is old or counterfeit? UK seems to have become a dumping ground for counterfeit goods as Councils do away with trading standards to save money https://www.theguardian.com/comment...ng-standards-uk-consumer-goods-britain-europe
Incidentally does anyone know how to tell whether Dayco Cambelt is old or counterfeit? UK seems to have become a dumping ground for counterfeit goods as Councils do away with trading standards to save money https://www.theguardian.com/comment...ng-standards-uk-consumer-goods-britain-europe
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Fiat timing belt kits with the waterpump are probably driven by customer demand. Witness the owners on motorhome forums who all want their waterpumps changed as a matter of course with the timing belt. Nick Fisher, who used to run a fleet of Ducato hire vehicles and posted on one of the motorhome forums, once said that in his experience the OEM water pumps were good for 250K miles, and he had only ever had to replace one prematurely.
To avoid counterfeit parts, buy from reputable suppliers and avoid extreme penny pinching. Coastal Motorhomes sell Dayco belts, but they also stock Fiat OEM kits at very good prices compared to the dealer network. Probably because they can bulk buy at trade prices and have a lower profit margin. I've just bought my second Fiat belt and pulley kit from them, about £160. The first will have done 5 years service this summer. I bought the Dayco aircon and alternator belts though.
To avoid counterfeit parts, buy from reputable suppliers and avoid extreme penny pinching. Coastal Motorhomes sell Dayco belts, but they also stock Fiat OEM kits at very good prices compared to the dealer network. Probably because they can bulk buy at trade prices and have a lower profit margin. I've just bought my second Fiat belt and pulley kit from them, about £160. The first will have done 5 years service this summer. I bought the Dayco aircon and alternator belts though.
The Panda Nut
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The factor that is not always considered is the belt routing. SOme are simple and not to many bends around idlers etc, ans some complex and tightly turned. If the belt is not looped round a load of stuff, and if the engine has been run at least a little so its not sat in one position I would have a look nad if its in good condition go for 6 years or 72000 miles which has been a figure Ive seen in books for Fiat cars. Belts can snap at any time, but the normal change window errs on the side of caution. I don't disagree with the 5 years a good time thoughts expressed here, but would consider these thoughts about running to 6 years. My delaer said if the cam belt broke before 6 /72 and the car was serviced by Fiat they would dela with any issues. I am pretty sure this was my Bravo Multijet diesel.
