Cambelt query

[Pausim]

Some years ago I asked a mechanic friend why some belts were supposed to last longer than others. He said one of the biggest differences between engines was the number and angle of bends the belt had to go through. Some have several tight bends and others have only a few gentle bends. Tight bends mean a lot more flexing when running and left sitting at tighter angles when stationary.

 

[alecturn1]

They can do. Not worth taking a chance, I would get it done.

Yes think I’ll be booking it in any ideas on cost I think it better to have water pump at same time

 

[herald_400rl]

Yes think I’ll be booking it in any ideas on cost I think it better to have water pump at same time

If the water pump is driven by the timing belt it shouldn't even be a discussion as to wether it should be done or not. If the bearings go in the water pump or it seizes it'll throw or snap the belt. On mine it's easier to take the radiator out anyway so you've already drained the coolant!

 

[Lenny HB]

If the water pump is driven by the timing belt it shouldn't even be a discussion as to wether it should be done or not. If the bearings go in the water pump or it seizes it'll throw or snap the belt. On mine it's easier to take the radiator out anyway so you've already drained the coolant!

On X290's Fiat recommend not to change the water pump they say it's designed for the life of the engine.

 

[Alan]

My Peugeot boxer camper goes in for a 6 year major service tomorrow,when I asked about cam belt they said not due until 2027 ( main Peugeot dealer)

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[Lenny HB]

My Peugeot boxer camper goes in for a 6 year major service tomorrow,when I asked about cam belt they said not due until 2027 ( main Peugeot dealer)

Which engine is it until recently a lot of the Peugeot's had the Ford engine with a chain.
You need to make sure you have been given the right info.

 

[Barchetta47]

Are you feeling lucky? With engines getting on £10k fitted it's not worth the risk.

It’s not just the cost. As I found out earlier this year the Fiat 2.8 jtd is no longer available new and there aren’t many used ones around.

 

[herald_400rl]

On X290's Fiat recommend not to change the water pump they say it's designed for the life of the engine.

I hear the same things about timing chains and yet they still stretch/wear out/snap.
But saying that some light reading says it can end up requiring an engine out if the bolts snap... engineering strikes again, no regard for the maintenance so long as it goes together cheap in the factory.

 

[alecturn1]

Went to garage today to get quote for cambelt change.
Cambelt change and water pump.Anti freeze and labour comes with 12 month warranty £550 .

 

[Bleau’s]

Had mine changed this week near Nottingham on a A class £600 + vat 5 years and 16000 miles ask why I had bothered as most fiats have 100000 miles on by 5 years and that is what they base the recommendation on.

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[Pausim]

Had mine changed this week near Nottingham on a A class £600 + vat 5 years and 16000 miles ask why I had bothered as most fiats have 100000 miles on by 5 years and that is what they base the recommendation on.

They age whether they are going round or stationary. Indeed some mechanics say sitting in one position bent round the pulleys does more harm than regular use.

 

[denisejoe]

It’s not just the cost. As I found out earlier this year the Fiat 2.8 jtd is no longer available new and there aren’t many used ones around.

I heard it was the smaller 2.3 or 2 l

 

[pappajohn]

Probably because most of them are the 2.2 Ford engine with a chain.

If the oils changed as service intervals it should NEVER need a chain.

 

[alecturn1]

Had mine changed this week near Nottingham on a A class £600 + vat 5 years and 16000 miles ask why I had bothered as most fiats have 100000 miles on by 5 years and that is what they base the recommendation on.

Well mine had a cambelt change 5 years ago and has only done 900 miles since, but do cambelt perish like tyres.

 

[Lenny HB]

If the oils changed as service intervals it should NEVER need a chain.

But chains strech and sometimes let go, a friend's Audi A3 chain went that was expensive.

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[MichaelT]

Well mine had a cambelt change 5 years ago and has only done 900 miles since, but do cambelt perish like tyres.

I think so yes but I have to ask if you only doing less than 200 miles a year why keep the van?

 

[alecturn1]

I think so yes but I have to ask if you only doing less than 200 miles a year why keep the van?

Hi
I’ve only just bought the van, the previous owner didn’t use it much.I saw the cambelt had been done in the paperwork I was given with the van.

 

[Pausim]

Well mine had a cambelt change 5 years ago and has only done 900 miles since, but do cambelt perish like tyres.

Yes. Also sitting in the same position without any movement for years is probably not good for it, I would get it changed straight away.

 

[alecturn1]

Yes think I’ll be booking it in any ideas on cost I think it better to have water pump at same time

Had quote today to change cambelt and water pump £490 inc vat Fiat ducato 1.9td (2002)Hymer Camp motorhome

 

[Lenny HB]

Had quote today to change cambelt and water pump £490 inc vat Fiat ducato 1.9td (2002)Hymer Camp motorhome

2002 the water pump is not driven by the cambelt so not much point in changing it.

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[alecturn1]

2002 the water pump is not driven by the cambelt so not much point in changing it.

Oh ok

 

[alecturn1]

Oh ok

Been into garage,he pulled up the quote and said tbh we don’t usually touch the water pump,so he beat me to it.Did advise to change Auxiliary belt as well so booked in next week

 

[scotjimland]

I do as per service schedule, and don't over think it ..

£700 or £5k + if it goes pop

 

[meanders]

It's a gamble on a horse race with a large field and no previous form. Unlike the horse race where you only every lose the value of the bet unless you get lucky, by deciding not to change it, you might defer the value of thebet for a while, but the odds against you losing many times the bet increase with every day you delay. Bearing in mind the average 5 year-old motorhome must have a minimum value of say £30k, taking any additional hit of c£5k against c£750 makes no sense whatsoever.

 

[clanjones]

scotjimland I have to get the cambelt replaced in our A class. I'd be interested to know where you get yours replaced assuming it is Scotland!

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[L' Hobo]

On X290's Fiat recommend not to change the water pump they say it's designed for the life of the engine.

They also say that on the X250's
UNLESS obvious need like leaking etc.
Mine is 16yrs old and never been changed.

 

[PP Bear]

Many a £million has been made on the paranoia of cambelts, but if they go, they bite….

 

[Coolcats]

Warranty is one reason to change the belt and use a Fiat professional, should you have a belt changed at the correct times and it happened to snap within the next period you have recourse from the Fiat dealer network to get things fixed.

Whilst it may be unlikely that a belt that has been regularly changed will snap there is a peace of mind. Also like anything if a manufacturer states 5,000 miles that belay may go double or more without issue but how lucky do you feel and is the risk worth it.

 

[Phill D]

Warranty is one reason to change the belt and use a Fiat professional, should you have a belt changed at the correct times and it happened to snap within the next period you have recourse from the Fiat dealer network to get things fixed.

While FIAT give a warranty on the work i do not believe its for the next period (5years) it is 2 years at best.
But better than nothing.

 

[Coolcats]

While FIAT give a warranty on the work i do not believe its for the next period (5years) it is 2 years at best.
But better than nothing.

Why not, if you are having your vehicle maintained by a Fiat professional workshop and have maintenance carried out as per manufacture directive a Cam belt failing within a 5 year period is not wear and tear it is material failure as a customer you are keeping your part of the bargain.

I strongly suspect that the dealer and Fiat would cove such an eventuality but I would think that this would only be done if it was the belt that had snapped which would be pretty rare, if it was a case that debris had become between the belt and the pulley causing the belt to jump or a tensioner to fail or break that would be something else not all cam belt failures are down to a belt 'just failing' So the case for paying out becomes slimmer

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