Cambelt and waterpump replacement

[Tommymac]

I've just booked my 2012 Fiat Ducato Maxi 150 Multijet (Swift Bolero) into a main Fiat dealer to have the cambelt and waterpump replaced. They've quoted me a cost of £980. In your collective experience, does this seem reasonable or a bit on the high side?

 

[Lenny HB]

Mine is going in on Monday to a Fiat dealer it's an A Class £578, they don't recommend the water pump is changed & apparently it's a pig of a job that can cause other problems.

 

[Stealaway]

About £500 including all parts at regular garage in South Yorkshire.
If they have the head room on their ramp, it's only a Fiat van

 

[bertiebasset]

Had mine done at a total of £350 here in Nottingham. Not a Fiat garage.

 

[Falcon 269]

Big difference in prices, big temptation, possibly big risk involved.

Ducato engine/gearbox given up in France.

The other thing that I would have thought as “crucial” in this case, would be a full engineers report on the failed engine as to the root cause of the catastrophic failure. I don’t think the mechanics view would be entertained in court. Is the engine still available for evaluation? I’m not...

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

Somewhere in the midst of this recent sorry tale about catastrophic and expensive engine failure in France, someone who knows about our motor explains the full and proper procedure for cambelt replacement and the shortcuts taken by others to do the job quicker, thus saving labour costs.

If it all goes without a hitch, super, you save three hundred or so quid. However, if it doesn't - and I accept that the odds of disaster are probably low - the downside could be upwards of £11,000 and a whole mess of inconvenience.

I had our cambelt changed by a very good independent mechanic in Spain who I trusted but I am sure with hindsight that he did the job the shortcut way. In future, I will at least be asking whoever I go to for quotes exactly how they do the job, paying particular attention to their process for locking all the moving parts in place during the belt swap, and how they check alignment and timing afterwards.

Not posting to start a debate on risk/reward, right/wrong of various techniques - just to offer the OP food for thought as to why there are such big differences between quotes, not all of which can be put down to main dealer rip-off labour charges.

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[Tommymac]

Mine is going in on Monday to a Fiat dealer it's an A Class £578, they don't recommend the water pump is changed & apparently it's a pig of a job that can cause other problems.

Thanks Lenny HB. I asked for the waterpump to be changed as that was advice I had received: get both done at the same time and save in the long run, but I had heard that it's a big job. It does seem a bit pointless changing something when there's nothing wrong with it. I've spoken with the garage again and they've said that they'll check the pump and, if all's well, they'll leave it in place and just change the cambelt. They're going to re-quote for the cambelt only.

 

[Tommymac]

Thanks to all for your quick replies. The job cost certainly does seem to vary quite significantly from area to area, but it's definitely important to balance the cost against the risks of not doing it or taking short cuts. Thanks again.

 

[Taran_Las]

Mine due August. Fiat professional garage £1100.00 inc. Apparently (so I was informed) the water pump now comes as part of the timing belt kit.

 

[MisterB]

Thanks Lenny HB. I asked for the waterpump to be changed as that was advice I had received: get both done at the same time and save in the long run, but I had heard that it's a big job. It does seem a bit pointless changing something when there's nothing wrong with it. I've spoken with the garage again and they've said that they'll check the pump and, if all's well, they'll leave it in place and just change the cambelt. They're going to re-quote for the cambelt only.

let us know the 'new' cost.

mine is due next year, but will only have covered around 15k miles. i assume the water pump will not need replacing (??) but i will def get the belt done though, so i would be interested to see how much just the belt change would be, though Lenny HB's quote seems to be about the likely price from a main dealer, ive just had mine and the boss's cars done at a local independent and he said he has done a few ducato motorhomes, so i may go there ...

 

[Tommymac]

Mine due August. Fiat professional garage £1100.00 inc. Apparently (so I was informed) the water pump now comes as part of the timing belt kit.

Man, that's painful! I'm waiting to hear back from the garage. They might tell me the same thing; I'll let you know.

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[Tommymac]

let us know the 'new' cost.

mine is due next year, but will only have covered around 15k miles. i assume the water pump will not need replacing (??) but i will def get the belt done though, so i would be interested to see how much just the belt change would be, though Lenny HB's quote seems to be about the likely price from a main dealer, ive just had mine and the boss's cars done at a local independent and he said he has done a few ducato motorhomes, so i may go there ...

I'll update on the belt-only (if they do belt-only!) cost as soon as I get it, no problem.

 

[Speve]

I’ve recently had ours changed without water pump as not required according to Adams-Morey Redbridge £560

 

[Roger20]

paying particular attention to their process for locking all the moving parts in place during the belt swap, and how they check alignment and timing afterwards.

Do you have a link to the full process? I would be interested because it's helpful to have some knowledge to be confident that, as you say, the mechanic is not going to take shortcuts by not locking camshaft timing.

Sounds like, on another thread it might have been the cause of a complete engine failure.

 

[eurajohn]

For information, the water pump is normally not a problem or big job to change at same time as the belt it adds about 3/4 hour to the job, however it comes as part of a casing which is also used to house the high pressure fuel pump, the fuel pump pulley does require a special puller to remove although there is bodge way to remove which will possibly damage the pump, problems start on older high mileage engines, where because of corrosion the fuel pump is seized in the casting.
So long as there is no corrosion problem a straight forward nuts and bolts task.
For low mileage vans so long as there is no evidence of coolant leak your most likely OK to just go with the belt change.
The reason I would always change a pump at same time as belt is the bulk of time to do a water pump change is taken care of by what has to be done to change the belt (correctly).

 

[Mickey1]

I was quoted £650 by fiat garage, just the belt and check the pump, Ive decided to go with a local garage which was recommended on this forum £450. I had a service with the fiat garage 6 weeks ago, they didn’t mention anything about needing a cam belt even though my motorhome was 5 years old, had they done I would probably have had it done with the service.

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[pelican]

I’ve recently had ours changed without water pump as not required according to Adams-Morey Redbridge £560

My local garage Heards at Bishops Waltham changed my cambelt recently £480. I had asked them to do waterpump but they said not required as they had checked pump no wear in bearings.
The service alot of Fiat motorhomes regularly fitting cambelts.
I use them for my vehicles last 20 yrs plus.

 

[Speve]

My local garage Heards at Bishops Waltham changed my cambelt recently £480. I had asked them to do waterpump but they said not required as they had checked pump no wear in bearings.
The service alot of Fiat motorhomes regularly fitting cambelts.
I use them for my vehicles last 20 yrs plus.

Thanks for the info it may be slightly closer for me to travel from out on the plain?

 

[dunnah01]

You can't check a water pump to see how much life is left in it so if they say they can get a written statement or beware!

 

[Silver-Fox]

You can't check a water pump to see how much life is left in it so if they say they can get a written statement or beware!

That was my thoughts as well.

The pump let go on my Caddy Maxi van, fortunately only leaking.

There was no warning, no noise nothing just dumping fluid to its hearts content

 

[Tommymac]

I’ve recently had ours changed without water pump as not required according to Adams-Morey Redbridge £560

Thanks Speve, sounds like a more sensible price. I'm still awaiting a new quote from the garage for a cambelt only job. I'll update when I get it

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[Tommymac]

For information, the water pump is normally not a problem or big job to change at same time as the belt it adds about 3/4 hour to the job, however it comes as part of a casing which is also used to house the high pressure fuel pump, the fuel pump pulley does require a special puller to remove although there is bodge way to remove which will possibly damage the pump, problems start on older high mileage engines, where because of corrosion the fuel pump is seized in the casting.
So long as there is no corrosion problem a straight forward nuts and bolts task.
For low mileage vans so long as there is no evidence of coolant leak your most likely OK to just go with the belt change.
The reason I would always change a pump at same time as belt is the bulk of time to do a water pump change is taken care of by what has to be done to change the belt (correctly).

Thanks Eurajohn, the initial advice that I received was along these lines, i.e. the bulk of the work has already been done for the belt. I'll have a long chat with the garage on the pros and cons and see what the difference in cost is for the belt only and take it from there. Cheers.

 

[pelican]

Thanks for the info it may be slightly closer for me to travel from out on the plain?

You can't check a water pump to see how much life is left in it so if they say they can get a written statement or beware!

Thank you I will pass on your opinion but I feel sure they would not pass up the opportunity to earn more money, I gave them Carte Blanche.

 

[pelican]

You can't check a water pump to see how much life is left in it so if they say they can get a written statement or beware!

I thought it consisted of an metal impellor bearings and seals

 

[dunnah01]

If they give you a guarantee on the existing water pump to the next belt change then happy days. I'd insist on it personally as the seals harden with age and time so won't last forever. Garages tend to baulk at jobs that may cause them to break something else whilst doing the intended job so will happily fob you off just in case.

 

[RM_Marine]

Had mine done at a total of £350 here in Nottingham. Not a Fiat garage.

Where in Nottingham as I’m in ollerton near to Mansfield and need mine doing

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[pelican]

If they give you a guarantee on the existing water pump to the next belt change then happy days. I'd insist on it personally as the seals harden with age and time so won't last forever. Garages tend to baulk at jobs that may cause them to break something else whilst doing the intended job so will happily fob you off just in case.

This company regularly fit cambelts done hundreds they told me.
Interestingly I have a VW Passat that currently has covered 175,000m still on the original waterpump.

 

[Tommymac]

UPDATE! Despite several requests for a cambelt only quote, nothing was forthcoming! Took the 'van in today and within seconds was told that it would be £702. So about £280 extra to do the waterpump. The choice was mine; no mandatory "must do both". That said, the invoice does refer to a 'kit' (presumably the belt and pump) priced at £397 + VAT. The garage's advice was very clearly, 'do both together'. Having considered the pros and cons and the collective advice, I opted for both. Job took 6 hours and all went well, apart, that is, from the bit where I had to part with £981.37!! Still, better than a new engine. Thanks for all the advice and comments.

 

[RowleyBirkinQC]

Mine due August. Fiat professional garage £1100.00 inc. Apparently (so I was informed) the water pump now comes as part of the timing belt kit.

I’ve just been quoted the same by our closest Fiat Commercial dealer, who confirmed the water pump is part of the Fiat kit & included in the standard job regardless of vehicle mileage.

They also asked if it is an A Class or C Class motorhome, as the A Class allegedly incurs 3 hours additional labour before they actually start changing engine parts? Is that for real?

Mine is going in on Monday to a Fiat dealer it's an A Class £578, they don't recommend the water pump is changed & apparently it's a pig of a job that can cause other problems.

Which is why I’m puzzled by the quote / recommendation Lenny HB got from his Fiat garage.
Has yours now been done, Lenny?

 

[Lenny HB]

Which is why I’m puzzled by the quote / recommendation @Lenny HB got from his Fiat garage.
Has yours now been done, Lenny?

Yep, it was done on Monday and the Fiat kit does not include the water pump.

 

[RowleyBirkinQC]

Yep, it was done on Monday and the Fiat kit does not include the water pump.

Out of curiosity, did I see you mention elsewhere that the independent garage you normally use couldn’t do this job? If so, do you know why that is? I’m curious because I’m thinking about our independent garage, used for our cars and previous motorhome, to see what their thoughts/price are.