Cambelt query

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Trev45

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Are there any cambelt experts on here that can explain why Fiat recommend my Ducato cam belt be changed at 5 years whereas Volvo recommend my my daughters Volvo V40 D3 cambelt be changed at 10 years or 108,00 miles ? I know the consequences of a belt snapping are horrendous but for Volvo to expect their belts to last twice as long suggests to me Fiat are maybe too cautious. In a previous thread Wiljoy reported his cambelt was 'totally shot' after 4 1/2 years so maybe Fiats lack of confidence in their product is well justified .
 
Trev45 said:
Are there any cambelt experts on here that can explain why Fiat recommend my Ducato cam belt be changed at 5 years whereas Volvo recommend my my daughters Volvo V40 D3 cambelt be changed at 10 years or 108,00 miles ? I know the consequences of a belt snapping are horrendous but for Volvo to expect their belts to last twice as long suggests to me Fiat are maybe too cautious. In a previous thread Wiljoy reported his cambelt was 'totally shot' after 4 1/2 years so maybe Fiats lack of confidence in their product is well justified .
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I have also wondered about this, considering how little milage a motorhome will do in 5 years.
 
SpeedyDux said:
Ours not to reason why ... report back in (say) 2027 and let us know how long your FIAT cambelt lasted.

Not a risk I am willing to take.
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You weren't one of the Government advisors on lockdown during Covid were you by any chance ?

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Simply different engines and expected usage dictate their schedule replacement, remember they are commercial vehicles, so often their usage is very hard on the rubber components,
if a vehicle is left standing for a long time you are likely to get corrosion on the timing belt pulleys ( rust) that is extremely abrasive to the rubber belt,
I do my own so happy to replace every three years for my own peace of mind,
 
pelican said:
Just had the 5 yr replacement on my Ducato and out of interest asked to see the old belt and tensioners/pulley
Absolutely no discernable wear of components or degradation of belt/ wear 21000miles
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If you don’t mind me asking, how much did that cost? Fiat Commercial/Professional or independent garage?
 
RowleyBirkinQC said:
I also wonder why the equivalent Citroen/Peugeot vans are 10 years / 96k miles for the cambelt change?
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Probably because most of them are the 2.2 Ford engine with a chain.

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Someone on another post today say in their Fiat manual 130-150 engine it states the recommended interval is 96 months or 120,000 miles for the cambelt so that’s 8 years.

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CazPaul said:
Someone on another post today say in their Fiat manual 130-150 engine it states the recommended interval is 96 months or 120,000 miles for the cambelt so that’s 8 years.
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Always been 5 years unless a lot of town driving or in dusty climates then its 4 years.
 
Many a million squiddlies to be made on the fear of cam belt failure.

I do my own and it’s on third and I waited a number of years longer to do it than the recommended 5 years.

On each occasion the belt coming off, looked same as the new one going on.

Mind you, if they fail gulp ☠️

74C3255E-BFC5-4B8A-AD76-44E5511542FC.jpeg

Not my engine by the way

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Volvo state that the v40 cam belt change is between 6 years and 10 years depending on the model.
So clearly there are differences in construction on the various engines used.
You certainly want to avoid a break that’s for sure 😱
Likewise fiat state change water pump with cam belt or NOT depending upon the model.
 
Phill D said:
Volvo state that the v40 cam belt change is between 6 years and 10 years depending on the model.
So clearly there are differences in construction on the various engines used.

Likewise fiat state change water pump with cam belt or NOT depending upon the model.
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As mines the 2.8JTD, it timing belt, pulleys and aux belt only. Checked the water pump on each change and it’s in good condition so leave well alone.

Now my SAAB has to have it changed as it’s part of the drive chain.

I’ve mentioned to my neighbour before, just get the belt done on his, but he’s adamant that the garage says it’ll need the water pump as well. Same when he came back with a bill that included a pollen filter.

Necky naughty unscrupulous garages. Bet they don’t even touch the water pump.
 
PP Bear said:
As mines the 2.8JTD, it timing belt, pulleys and aux belt only. Checked the water pump on each change and it’s in good condition so leave well alone.

Now my SAAB has to have it changed as it’s part of the drive chain.

I’ve mentioned to my neighbour before, just get the belt done on his, but he’s adamant that the garage says it’ll need the water pump as well. Same when he came back with a bill that included a pollen filter.

Necky naughty unscrupulous garages. Bet they don’t even touch the water pump.
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I always temper what the recommendations ( as that’s what they are) with what I feel comfortable with using my knowledge and common sense.

It really is do whatever let’s you sleep at night! 🫣
 
Mine done at 8 1/2 years old water pump included.
No idea what the old one looked like.
So good to but, but to my paranoid mind, it seems a tad sluggish.
Done 100’s in my time, but at 57 !!
Ok, 75 !! I don’t want the agro..
Mitch.
 
Stealaway said:
I have also wondered about this, considering how little milage a motorhome will do in 5 years.
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Just bought a Hymer swing 544,paperwork says cambelt and water pump change was done in 2018.Although it has been 5 years motorhome has only done about 900 miles since then.Question is do the belts perish over time
 
alecturn1 said:
Just bought a Hymer swing 544,paperwork says cambelt and water pump change was done in 2018.Although it has been 5 years motorhome has only done about 900 miles since then.Question is do the belts perish over time
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They can do. Not worth taking a chance, I would get it done.
 
Are you feeling lucky? With engines getting on £10k fitted it's not worth the risk.

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