Technical Cambelt change Fiat 500 1.2

[coolbumble]

Hi
An old chestnut I know.
I have just purchased a Fiat 500 1.2 sport first reg October 2010 it has only completed 17,000 miles. I have checked MOT's on DVLA site and mileage is confirmed and has two services stamps in the book plus the first dealer check. The dealer is going to do a oil and filter change before I collect it.( they are not a Fiat franchise) Should I be cautious and get the cambelt changed immediately as it is over 4 years old or wait until 36000 miles all be it I am an older gent and probably only do 6000 miles a year !
Your opinions and experience appreciated.
My regards
Ian

 

[PuntoHowTo]

Get it done for piece of mind.

Even if it's a late model 2010 it's still 5 years old now and they generally say to get the belt replaced at 5 years regardless of the mileage

 

[jrkitching]

If it breaks it will likely wreck your engine.

Based on age, it should be changed now. Based on mileage, it will likely not break in the immediate future.

The big question is, how long are you planning on keeping the car?

If you're keeping it more than a year or two, you'll definitely need to change it at some point. Once changed, you'll be good for another five years on the kind of mileage you're doing (after all, it hasn't broken yet and the car is 5 1/2 yrs old). So my advice would be to get it done in the next few months; you're probably going to have to do it anyway at some point, and although the risk of an imminent breakage is probably only small, once it's done, you can relax and stop thinking about it.

Make sure you get the water pump changed at the same time - water pump seizure is probably more likely than belt failure, particularly on a low mileage car that quite possibly has never had a coolant change. Either failure will lead to serious engine damage.

 

[frupi]

Concur with all above.

And to make another point, just because the car was registered in 2010, doesn't mean it was built in 2010, may well have been built the year before, so the car may well already be a full six years old by build date.

At only 17k miles done from new, I'd love to know the history of this car and what its primary use has been. Many years ago, I knew a gentleman in Bermuda who bought a brand new Ford Fiesta. No word of a lie, he drove to work each day, less than a 1/4 mile each way from his home with the occasional trip into the Capital, Hamilton. The car barely ever had a chance to reach operating temperature. I think it took him about 5 years just to put 3,000 miles on it. Would I have bought this car off him? No chance, it's a bloody long drive back from Bermuda

 

[ronmanager]

I too have a 2010 1.2 with only 24000 miles on it but I had the cam belt done on the 5 year service to be safe. Too big a gamble to risk was my thinking.

 

[coolbumble]

Many thanks gentleman,
I have taken your thoughts on board and will have it changed this coming week. Would you advise to use genuine Fiat parts or is there a retro make you would advise is as good ?
My Regards
Ian

 

[frupi]

Personally, I'm a big fan of using genuine manufacturer replacement parts. Indeed, when I had the cambelt, waterpump and tensioner replaced in my Saab 9-3 1.9 diesel, I used genuine Fiat parts sourced from a Fiat dealer selling on the well known auction site for low ££££ and my trusted local Fiat specialist did the job.

There are good reliable aftermarket alternative parts but the problem is, they are definitely not all equal, bit of a minefield so you have to be careful.

Also, bear in mind, if you buy the parts yourself and ask a garage to fit them, some won't because they fear if the parts fail, you'll try and hold them liable. I don't usually have this issue because the garages I use know me and they know I will only ever supply genuine parts so they just charge me on the labour which they also guarantee, but obviously they can't provide any warranty on the parts.

My advice is, find yourself a good independent VAT registered garage you trust, let them source the parts and fit, that way you'll get the guarantee on all the work.

This kit could be an absolute bargain for someone, but of course, the purchaser is solely responsible for checking any part numbers. It's the exact sort of thing I look for all the time on 'the bay' and I've had some excellent low price purchases:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FIAT-500-PANDA-PUNTO-TIMING-BELT-KIT-WATER-PUMP-GENUINE-FIAT-RRP-131-00-/231858813214?hash=item35fbdcb91e:g:cggAAOSwUuFW0XPf

By the way, if you're wondering exactly where that kit above is being sold from, it's coming from a Fiat dealership, I've googled their address in the contact details, so worth 'phoning them with your VIN number to check if it is suitable for your car.

Also, don't discount completely your local Fiat dealership. If you do your research, some dealerships offer a fixed price on jobs such as cambelt/waterpump changes and sometimes this can turn out to be the best place you can get the job done. I've known plenty of Vauxhall owners who use their local Vauxhall dealership to get this exact type of job done because it's pointless taking it elsewhere as the job price is fixed and they get a full two year warranty on parts and labour.

 

[frupi]

Wow! That link to the cambelt kit clearly caught someone's eye, it's sold. Hope whoever bought it has done all the right checks on the part numbers.......

 

[ahmett]

Concur with all above.

And to make another point, just because the car was registered in 2010, doesn't mean it was built in 2010, may well have been built the year before, so the car may well already be a full six years old by build date.

At only 17k miles done from new, I'd love to know the history of this car and what its primary use has been. Many years ago, I knew a gentleman in Bermuda who bought a brand new Ford Fiesta. No word of a lie, he drove to work each day, less than a 1/4 mile each way from his home with the occasional trip into the Capital, Hamilton. The car barely ever had a chance to reach operating temperature. I think it took him about 5 years just to put 3,000 miles on it. Would I have bought this car off him? No chance, it's a bloody long drive back from Bermuda

i actually prefer those 2 year old bulletproof BMW's that they sell on autotrader with 100,000 miles! as long as the car was maintained that's fine by me. On for another 100,000 miles! = )

 

[ahmett]

Personally, I'm a big fan of using genuine manufacturer replacement parts. Indeed, when I had the cambelt, waterpump and tensioner replaced in my Saab 9-3 1.9 diesel, I used genuine Fiat parts sourced from a Fiat dealer selling on the well known auction site for low ££££ and my trusted local Fiat specialist did the job.

There are good reliable aftermarket alternative parts but the problem is, they are definitely not all equal, bit of a minefield so you have to be careful.

Also, bear in mind, if you buy the parts yourself and ask a garage to fit them, some won't because they fear if the parts fail, you'll try and hold them liable. I don't usually have this issue because the garages I use know me and they know I will only ever supply genuine parts so they just charge me on the labour which they also guarantee, but obviously they can't provide any warranty on the parts.

My advice is, find yourself a good independent VAT registered garage you trust, let them source the parts and fit, that way you'll get the guarantee on all the work.

This kit could be an absolute bargain for someone, but of course, the purchaser is solely responsible for checking any part numbers. It's the exact sort of thing I look for all the time on 'the bay' and I've had some excellent low price purchases:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FIAT-500-PANDA-PUNTO-TIMING-BELT-KIT-WATER-PUMP-GENUINE-FIAT-RRP-131-00-/231858813214?hash=item35fbdcb91e:g:cggAAOSwUuFW0XPf

By the way, if you're wondering exactly where that kit above is being sold from, it's coming from a Fiat dealership, I've googled their address in the contact details, so worth 'phoning them with your VIN number to check if it is suitable for your car.

Also, don't discount completely your local Fiat dealership. If you do your research, some dealerships offer a fixed price on jobs such as cambelt/waterpump changes and sometimes this can turn out to be the best place you can get the job done. I've known plenty of Vauxhall owners who use their local Vauxhall dealership to get this exact type of job done because it's pointless taking it elsewhere as the job price is fixed and they get a full two year warranty on parts and labour.

i got a Bosch cambelt kit. They didn't have a Fiat waterpump though so I sourced that from Fiat.

 

[ahmett]

Personally, I'm a big fan of using genuine manufacturer replacement parts. Indeed, when I had the cambelt, waterpump and tensioner replaced in my Saab 9-3 1.9 diesel, I used genuine Fiat parts sourced from a Fiat dealer selling on the well known auction site for low ££££ and my trusted local Fiat specialist did the job.

There are good reliable aftermarket alternative parts but the problem is, they are definitely not all equal, bit of a minefield so you have to be careful.

Also, bear in mind, if you buy the parts yourself and ask a garage to fit them, some won't because they fear if the parts fail, you'll try and hold them liable. I don't usually have this issue because the garages I use know me and they know I will only ever supply genuine parts so they just charge me on the labour which they also guarantee, but obviously they can't provide any warranty on the parts.

My advice is, find yourself a good independent VAT registered garage you trust, let them source the parts and fit, that way you'll get the guarantee on all the work.

This kit could be an absolute bargain for someone, but of course, the purchaser is solely responsible for checking any part numbers. It's the exact sort of thing I look for all the time on 'the bay' and I've had some excellent low price purchases:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FIAT-500-PANDA-PUNTO-TIMING-BELT-KIT-WATER-PUMP-GENUINE-FIAT-RRP-131-00-/231858813214?hash=item35fbdcb91e:g:cggAAOSwUuFW0XPf

By the way, if you're wondering exactly where that kit above is being sold from, it's coming from a Fiat dealership, I've googled their address in the contact details, so worth 'phoning them with your VIN number to check if it is suitable for your car.

Also, don't discount completely your local Fiat dealership. If you do your research, some dealerships offer a fixed price on jobs such as cambelt/waterpump changes and sometimes this can turn out to be the best place you can get the job done. I've known plenty of Vauxhall owners who use their local Vauxhall dealership to get this exact type of job done because it's pointless taking it elsewhere as the job price is fixed and they get a full two year warranty on parts and labour.

i think Fiat gives a 1 year warranty on parts and labor and to be honest, at least in Greece, they are twice as expensive for a cambelt change as an indie. So unless they do like 50% off offers or free labor which they do sometimes, I stay VERY FAR away from Fiat unless it's something to do with my lovely Dualogic Gearbox =)

 

[John202020]

I'm in the same boat, in needing the belt changed, another poster recommended https://www.clickmechanic.com/?utm_...Cj6zOEVc8c8Mfsi5uUnzTPkTKk-X5uGcV0aAswL8P8HAQ
They came back at £215 fully fitted including the water pump, have not got an accurate price from Fiat but may try again.

 

[frupi]

I have a local Fiat specialist near me who charges £195 + vat just for the cambelt, so £215 fully fitted seems a good price.

 

[coolbumble]

Wow! That link to the cambelt kit clearly caught someone's eye, it's sold. Hope whoever bought it has done all the right checks on the part numbers.......

Yes I bought it as I confirmed the part numbers which could be seen on the items via Google etc I sent my chassis number with the purchase and received conformation this morning from seller the parts are correct for my vehicle and have been sent. What service and a brilliant price for genuine FiAT parts.
Many thanks for your info
My Regards
Ian

 

[frupi]

Well, you truly did get a bargain then.

Worth getting a VAT registered garage to fit the parts because you should by rights, then maintain any warranty Fiat normally give on the parts. If you fit them yourself or get a mate to do it, they'll likely be no warranty on the parts as it could be argued they weren't fitted by a qualified/competent person. A good local independent garage should be able to do this job with ease, unless of course you are a competent home mechanic and can do the job yourself.

You're covered by distance selling laws buying the way you did, so there shouldn't be any problems.

Glad to have been of help.

 

[coolbumble]

Well, you truly did get a bargain then.

Worth getting a VAT registered garage to fit the parts because you should by rights, then maintain any warranty Fiat normally give on the parts. If you fit them yourself or get a mate to do it, they'll likely be no warranty on the parts as it could be argued they weren't fitted by a qualified/competent person. A good local independent garage should be able to do this job with ease, unless of course you are a competent home mechanic and can do the job yourself.

You're covered by distance selling laws buying the way you did, so there shouldn't be any problems.

Glad to have been of help.

I see no problems I use a good friend of mine who is a registered alfa/fiat master engineer.

 

[coolbumble]

Well, you truly did get a bargain then.

Worth getting a VAT registered garage to fit the parts because you should by rights, then maintain any warranty Fiat normally give on the parts. If you fit them yourself or get a mate to do it, they'll likely be no warranty on the parts as it could be argued they weren't fitted by a qualified/competent person. A good local independent garage should be able to do this job with ease, unless of course you are a competent home mechanic and can do the job yourself.

You're covered by distance selling laws buying the way you did, so there shouldn't be any problems.

Glad to have been of help.

Had it fitted today cambelt and water pump genuine Fiat parts via eBay and mate who is a Alfa /Fiat master engineer total cost £130 and no worry for 4/5 years. Worth every penny for peace of mind !
Thanks all