Cam Belt Relacement

[SalcombeRegis]

Morning all.

Thought I would share my recent experience with you all.

My 2021 Adria on a Fiat Ducato base now 5 years old is up for a belt change. 11,500 miles so hardly done anything.

As most of you probably know - just short of £1k to get it done. A lot of money but should I shouldn’t I does cross your mind. If it snaps it would be a new engine and the inconvenience of recovery from wherever it happens.

Common sense prevails so I take it to a recommended garage in Taunton - who incidentally were competitive and very customer focussed and efficient.

Completed the job including the water pump as it comes as a package and when they returned the vehicle they brought the old belt to show me.

The belt firstly is huge and looks strong but upon inspection he showed me that it was split along a large section of the belt running central and inline with the belt. How long it would have lasted who knows but I was heading for a disaster!

The moral of the story is that time is just as critical as miles so don’t put off the inevitable just to save a few quid today - it could be a costly mistake.

 

[Lenny HB]

That is unusual most people find the belt in perfect condition after 5 years.

Worth noting if you get it done by a Fiat Professional garage they give a 2 year warranty.
Another thread on here where cam & auxiliary belts change and after a few months aux belt went & took the cam belt with causing extensive engine damage, it was all covered under the Fiat warranty.

 

[Simon Meadwell]

I thought water pump was stand alone and not replaced on ducato cam belt change?

 

[SalcombeRegis]

I thought water pump was stand alone and not replaced on ducato cam belt change?

Comes in a kit - belt and pump. A case of whilst you are there change it as the pumps are not that expensive but fitting is. It could save you money in the long term.

 

[Ernesto]

There are many many competing threads on this. I'll take a risk and try and summarize what I've read on various threads ......

You can buy it as a kit for sure, but you can also not buy the cambelt and pump as a kit. Fiat do not specify the water pump be changed every 5 years, but many people choose to do it. Many garages recommend this - I cannot tell whether this is due to a lot of pumps failing in the years after a cambelt change, or because it is extra work for them.

Depending on the garage, some charge extra for changing the pump, some charge very little extra, some probably include it in the overall price of the cambelt.

You pays your money, you takes your chances as they say...personally, I would always ask the garage to inspect the pump, and change if any signs of an issue. I went to Adams Morey in Portsmouth for ours - they didn't change our pump at 5 years - no visible issues. I will take another view next time.

 

[Emmit]

Is the Iveco 3Lt. different in any way with regard to the water pump.

It has a chain driven camshaft and therefore does not need changing as
frequently as a fabric belt.

However, how is the water pump driven?

In our case, if its driven by the chain, the water pump has lasted a darn sight
longer than the 5yrs.
Asking for the wifes best mate. (I hope?)

 

[EuroTrotters]

I thought water pump was stand alone and not replaced on ducato cam belt change?

older Fiats with the Iveco TDi 2.8 Engine code 8140.43 is belt change only. The water pump is a big robust thing thats not easy to change

 

[buzz1]

That is unusual most people find the belt in perfect condition after 5 years.

Worth noting if you get it done by a Fiat Professional garage they give a 2 year warranty.
Another thread on here where cam & auxiliary belts change and after a few months aux belt went & took the cam belt with causing extensive engine damage, it was all covered under the Fiat warranty.

Thats good ,
but if Fiat professionals recommend 5yearly change then they should be giving at least 4 yrs warranty.
I’ve used a particular Fiat professionals in past but I think they are crap the one I’ve used is in wellington area Somerset . Obviously what name .
To me it doesn’t show confidence in there maintenance schedule or workmanship ,
But then I know nothing.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Tanya_and_Mick]

Morning all.

Thought I would share my recent experience with you all.

My 2021 Adria on a Fiat Ducato base now 5 years old is up for a belt change. 11,500 miles so hardly done anything.

As most of you probably know - just short of £1k to get it done. A lot of money but should I shouldn’t I does cross your mind. If it snaps it would be a new engine and the inconvenience of recovery from wherever it happens.

Common sense prevails so I take it to a recommended garage in Taunton - who incidentally were competitive and very customer focussed and efficient.

Completed the job including the water pump as it comes as a package and when they returned the vehicle they brought the old belt to show me.

The belt firstly is huge and looks strong but upon inspection he showed me that it was split along a large section of the belt running central and inline with the belt. How long it would have lasted who knows but I was heading for a disaster!

The moral of the story is that time is just as critical as miles so don’t put off the inevitable just to save a few quid today - it could be a costly mistake.

Interesting read, as we have ours booked in, for two weeks time, for the same service.

 

[Ernesto]

This is a view from a poster in 2022 that supposedly runs a large fleet of (admittedly high mileage) Ducatos.... sounds like good advice on the ancillaries...

"The water pump on the 2.3JTD is designed to last the lifetime of the vehicle and unless there are obvious signs that something is amiss, it should be left well alone. It is a much bigger job than you might think and access is extremely difficult. The fuel pump has to be removed and if any of the bolts are problematic it will require the engine to be removed to remedy. I have only ever changed one and it was because the engine was already out. No problems so far and many of our vehicles do 250,000 miles before we move them on.
It is vital that the tensioners are changed as they are much more likely to wear than the belt itself. The screw for the adjustable tensioner should also be replaced and this is not normally part of the after-market kits"

 

[Ernesto]

Thats good, but if Fiat professionals recommend 5yearly change ....

I've not read that anywhere ... has anyone got a link to that ? Edit - On re-read I think you meant the belt not the pump - agreed.

 

[EuroTrotters]

That is unusual most people find the belt in perfect condition after 5 years.

Worth noting if you get it done by a Fiat Professional garage they give a 2 year warranty.
Another thread on here where cam & auxiliary belts change and after a few months aux belt went & took the cam belt with causing extensive engine damage, it was all covered under the Fiat warranty.

My Audi sits in the Sun at Alicante Airport for months without being run.

I change it every 5 years, even though it does low km's

Had it changed two years ago and it was cracked and deteriorated

 

[MandP]

We have just done 41000 miles, now 5 yrs old , and have recently replaced the cam belt Adam Morey's, Portsmouth. Apparently it was perfectly fine on removal but we couldn't take that chance.Fiat Ducato 2.3, ZF 9 speed 160bhp automatic.