CAM BELT Should I Shouldn't I (1 Viewer)

[sally47]

I've just had the van (2006 fiat 2800)serviced and mot and was going to change the cam belt as it's now five years and 20,000 miles but the garage said leave for another couple of years or 10,000 miles comments please

 

[MisterB]

If the garage are willing to accept the cost if it fails .....

I was once advised the same by a garage on a car, that bad decision ended up costing me around £1500 BUT it was my bad decision !!!

Even if advice from manufacturer is change every 7 years, I would be doing it when I felt comfortable ...

 

[Mikey RV]

I would have got it done.

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[Figaro]

Me too, not a huge cost and worth it for peace of mind

 

[JJ]

I suggest that if you are in doubt... have it done.

JJ

 

[PeteH]

The mere fact. that you posted to ask, implies your doubt. My advice? get it done. for YOUR peace of mind. And use a good quality manufactured belt, if you DIY.

I have recent experience (not of cam belts) of using "after-market" stuff and having to do the same job inside a year. A lot of it is "Knock-off" cheap Chinese Crap. Some of the better stuff, believe it or not, comes from Eastern Europe. Eg; A Fiat Fuel filter, exact same code and part numbers as the Fiat supplied ones, From a Check manufacturer, the same source as supply Fiat, was 60% cheaper. Put alongside each other, no discernable difference.

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[RustyRuss]

If you replace the belt make sure to do the water pump and cam belt tensioner too.

Cheers!

Russ

 

[Podney]

Yep,get it done. Not to do so may well prove to be a false econom.

 

[Jaws]

I've just had the van (2006 fiat 2800)serviced and mot and was going to change the cam belt as it's now five years and 20,000 miles but the garage said leave for another couple of years or 10,000 miles comments please

It depends on which engine you have fitted

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[nicholsong]

It depends on which engine you have fitted

Why?

More explanation needed about the differences in engines please.

Geoff

 

[eurajohn]

I've just had the van (2006 fiat 2800)serviced and mot and was going to change the cam belt as it's now five years and 20,000 miles but the garage said leave for another couple of years or 10,000 miles comments please

From the in brackets bit, it looks to me to be a 244 model i.e. a 2.8 so no debate, change it.

 

[Jaws]

Why?

More explanation needed about the differences in engines please.

Geoff

The service period / mileage varies an awful lot !
For instance, my 2007 2.3 has a cam belt service interval of 5 years or 40k miles..
The previous van had a 2.8 in it and that was 8 years 80k miles

Figures taken direct from the Fiat Biblioteque book of words

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[lindyloot]

If the manufacture says x number of miles or x number of years , which ever comes first change it. it will need the complete kit ( belt , tensioners and if it runs the water pump that too) the belt will deteriorate which is why they say x years

 

[Coolcats]

I've just had the van (2006 fiat 2800)serviced and mot and was going to change the cam belt as it's now five years and 20,000 miles but the garage said leave for another couple of years or 10,000 miles comments please

personally I would just do it, it’s not worth the risk and I never feel that lucky. Balance the cost of the belt against the cost of repair or a new engine !

 

[The Wino]

I think what everyone is saying is it's stick or twist or to put it another way do you feel lucky.....punk.
I would change it. Firstly because I wouldn't then worry about it. Secondly because either you expect to have it a few years more in which case you're only putting it off for a year or you think you might sell it in which case it might put buyers off knowingly it ought to have been done and wondering if the rest is poorly maintained.

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[PeteH]

I think you have the answer?. It`s almost a 100% "do it " vote on here. And there is a LOT of experience on this Forum. (And a shed load of "Jokers"! )

 

[Spriddler]

I had mine done at 5 years even though it had only covered 15,000 miles (only a couple hundred this year).
Apart from the the cost of rebuilding a possibly very damaged engine if it breaks it will obviously be whilst you are en route to somewhere with all the hassle and expense that it would involve. The belt won't break whilst conveniently parked in your drive.

 

[wiljoy]

I've just had the van (2006 fiat 2800)serviced and mot and was going to change the cam belt as it's now five years and 20,000 miles but the garage said leave for another couple of years or 10,000 miles comments please

My van was 5 years old with 23,000 miles so due a new belt. I was hesitant but my local garage advised a change as a precaution. Once they removed the best I was shown it and it was totally perished and could have snapped at any time very soon. Its not worth the risk of putting this vital replacement off.

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[SpeedyDux]

Set against the cost of a replacement engine it's not a risk worth taking.

 

[Nirvanauk]

Why?

More explanation needed about the differences in engines please.

Geoff

Well, my Fiat Ducato has a chain, no belt so no change needed.

 

[SpeedyDux]

Well, my Fiat Ducato has a chain, no belt so no change needed.

It's a shame that Fiat discontinued the 3 litre engine and didn't develop it further to meet Euro 6 emissions.

Edit - not sure if this engine lives on in the IVECO vans.

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[Coolcats]

My van was 5 years old with 23,000 miles so due a new belt. I was hesitant but my local garage advised a change as a precaution. Once they removed the best I was shown it and it was totally perished and could have snapped at any time very soon. Its not worth the risk of putting this vital replacement off.

Absolutely spot on it’s a crucial element of the engine and not with the risk.

quick look on you tube here is a video of a Fiat 500 and what happens if the belt breaks

 

[sally47]

Thanks for all your replies and yes I had doubts and yes you are all right of course it has to be done
Stay Safe everyone

 

[Tony50]

I've just had the van (2006 fiat 2800)serviced and mot and was going to change the cam belt as it's now five years and 20,000 miles but the garage said leave for another couple of years or 10,000 miles comments please

As already said get it changed , if it goes/ breaks you could be in for a Bill in excess of £1000, If and when you get it done I would have it done by a Franchise Dealer they know what associated parts need to be fitted at same time, get a price, other than a Franchise Dealer, Check your Local repairer, checking if they replace the same parts if he /she has ever done one and get a price that way you will know where you are going, I should add, most vehicle manufacturers use as original equipment " Gates Cam belt " which most Garages get and use from Motor Factors , just be careful who you use , if it's fitted incorrectly it can snap ,one check for the Non expert is if you hear a whine from Cambelt area that was not there it's because it's too tight another check is if you hear a "Slapping noise or scraping ie, it's hitting the casing it could be too loose or the guard covers are incorrectly fitted , do these checks once the engine is warm, so before you take it to a Garage listen to your engine and perhaps get some one else to listen, quite often there are other parts that are recommended and driven by the Cambelt like a Tensioner , and perhaps an Idler pulley or Waterpump or all 3 to be fitted other than that you have to trust the person who fitted it, ps. not trying to scare you . Just advice , hope I have not missed anything out !

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[Speve]

It's a shame that Fiat discontinued the 3 litre engine and didn't develop it further to meet Euro 6 emissions.

Edit - not sure if this engine lives on in the IVECO vans.

We have a Fiat Panda 4 x 4 with 1.3 diesel virtually same as ducato that has a chain so technology is there they just don’t use it.