Age or Mileage to replace running gear belts

[Abacist]

I have a 2014 Fiat 3 litre Ducato so its in its 11th year and has done about 30k miles so not a lot of mileage in the scheme of things! It only did 1800 miles in the first 4 years of its life before we bought it!

Anyway, whilst the engine has chain driven cams I am beginning to worry about the age of any rubber belts like Fan, Alternator, Water Pump, Power Steering etc

As you can tell I'm not even sure what I've got!

What does the collective think? We are likely to do a UK trip for about a month from mid June to mid July and then Spain & Portugal for a month from mid September. I don't fancy breaking down in a tag axle abroad!

 

[herald_400rl]

If you have no evidence of them being changed I'd have them done at that age. Rubber perishes and if one snaps it'll be an annoying wait for breakdown cover.

 

[Abacist]

No I have no evidence of any being changed which is why I am starting to worry!

 

[Figaro]

No I have no evidence of any being changed which is why I am starting to worry!

Get the auxiliary belts changed before you go, no brainer imv.

 

[Bessy765]

Price of changing belts verses one snaps wraps it self round the alternator breakdown service inflated labour costs especially if abroad will far outway changing them when home. Whilst mileage effects belts so does one particular section compressed in the pulley, and oil or debris sticking to the belt. We have an Audi bought new in 2016 has only covered 24,000 miles but follow recommended service intervals etc for piece of mind, same applies to out van 2019 Burstner Fiat 2.3 150. Coming up to 6 years old had the cam and all service belts changed at 4 years although fiat state 5 for the cam but horses for courses.

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[herald_400rl]

Price of changing belts verses one snaps wraps it self round the alternator breakdown service inflated labour costs especially if abroad will far outway changing them when home. Whilst mileage effects belts so does one particular section compressed in the pulley, and oil or debris sticking to the belt. We have an Audi bought new in 2016 has only covered 24,000 miles but follow recommended service intervals etc for piece of mind, same applies to out van 2019 Burstner Fiat 2.3 150. Coming up to 6 years old had the cam and all service belts changed at 4 years although fiat state 5 for the cam but horses for courses.

To add to this had an old beemer where a belt snapped that fed the water pump (on the motorway). Temp shot straight into the red before I got stopped on the shoulder. Belt wrapped itself around the crank pulley and was a tw*t to cut off, 4 hour wait for breakdown cover. Could easily have taken out a pulley or slapped through a pipe somewhere.

 

[Flairy]

My German dealer says every 5 years so that’s what I do whatever the mileage,they service and repair an average of 10 Fiat motorhomes a day so I don’t doubt what they say I’ve been going there for over 20 years

 

[Flairy]

I hope this helps.

 

[bobnick]

My VW Caddy is booked in for belts/chain and water pump at end of the month.
2017, less than 25k miles.