500 Paraflu Coolant

[frupi]

p6baseunit,

I think you're confusing the thermostat with the waterpump, two completely different parts......

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Genuine-F...753068&hash=item3f833cb787:g:~wUAAMXQBwlRJMAT

 

[John202020]

What I will never understand are mechanics who don't recommend a water pump/tensioner change when the cambelt is done

I got Fiat to do my cam belt, it was the cheapest around, didn't ask, but after collection I noted they did not replace the water pump, they said they don't replace it unless there's signs of failure?

 

[p6baseunit]

p6baseunit,

I think you're confusing the thermostat with the waterpump, two completely different parts......

Nope, I am not confusing anything. The water pump and cambelt should be changed at this mileage ASAP. The plastic thermostat should be replaced for the metal type (on the 1.2) while the mechanic is working on the car. I suggested that the OP buy the thermostat and give it to the mechanic, otherwise they may not bother! Replacing the thermostat was discussed on the previous page.

 

[p6baseunit]

I got Fiat to do my cam belt, it was the cheapest around, didn't ask, but after collection I noted they did not replace the water pump, they said they don't replace it unless there's signs of failure?

This is a good reason not to ask Fiat to do the job!
You end up paying Fiat twice when the water pump needs doing in 18months or worse a small leak rots the cambelt and trashes the engine...
Either way its not a course of action to recommend to anyone!

Change the water pump at the same time you change the cambelt, there is hardly any extra labour to pay to get this done... no wonder Fiat were competitive!

 

[frupi]

Nope, I am not confusing anything. The water pump and cambelt should be changed at this mileage ASAP. The plastic thermostat should be replaced for the metal type (on the 1.2) while the mechanic is working on the car. I suggested that the OP buy the thermostat and give it to the mechanic, otherwise they may not bother! Replacing the thermostat was discussed on the previous page.

Oh, ok, it's just I've never known a thermostat to be changed as a matter of routine or preference, but if a replacement metal one over plastic is better, then yes of course, I understand why one would want to change it.

 

[p6baseunit]

Oh, ok, it's just I've never known a thermostat to be changed as a matter of routine or preference, but if a replacement metal one over plastic is better, then yes of course, I understand why one would want to change it.

The plastic thermostats on the 1.2 are a weak area. They fail regularly once the car is past 4 or 5 years old.. Its an issue with the plastic housing, not the actually thermostat, but they come as one piece. It would be wise to replace it (the once) for the metal type to save you being stranded somewhere. It's not routine, but will save you a lot of hassle!

 

[frupi]

I got Fiat to do my cam belt, it was the cheapest around, didn't ask, but after collection I noted they did not replace the water pump, they said they don't replace it unless there's signs of failure?

I have to admit John, when you had your cambelt done, I thought you'd had the waterpump replaced at the same time. I truly hope it lasts the test of time during your tenure of ownership. For me, it's just something I would have had done. I know too many people who've had snapped cambelts purely as a consequence of waterpump failure. Indeed, on my Saab 9-3, which is fitted with the Fiat 1.9 engine, all Saab, Croma, Vectra and Alfa owners sharing the same engine variant, have the waterpump and tensioner swapped out during cambelt change.

To me, it's just the sign of a poor or inexperienced mechanic who doesn't advise a waterpump replacement at cambelt change, but of course, if it fails and wrecks the engine 12 or 18 months down the line, there's potentially money in it for them should you take the car to them for repairs. If you don't take it back to them, they don't care anyway because if asked, all they'll say is, 'He didn't ask us to do the job!'.

I'm assuming in your case, that the mechanic took the time to unbolt the waterpump and physically check it, including the bearing in the pump?.....I possibly think not!

 

[John202020]

I have to admit John, when you had your cambelt done, I thought you'd had the waterpump replaced at the same time. I truly hope it lasts the test of time during your tenure of ownership. For me, it's just something I would have had done. I know too many people who've had snapped cambelts purely as a consequence of waterpump failure. Indeed, on my Saab 9-3, which is fitted with the Fiat 1.9 engine, all Saab, Croma, Vectra and Alfa owners sharing the same engine variant, have the waterpump and tensioner swapped out during cambelt change.

To me, it's just the sign of a poor or inexperienced mechanic who doesn't advise a waterpump replacement at cambelt change, but of course, if it fails and wrecks the engine 12 or 18 months down the line, there's potentially money in it for them should you take the car to them for repairs. If you don't take it back to them, they don't care anyway because if asked, all they'll say is, 'He didn't ask us to do the job!'.

I'm assuming in your case, that the mechanic took the time to unbolt the waterpump and physically check it, including the bearing in the pump?.....I possibly think not!

I had wrongly assumed it was a routine replacement whilst getting the belt done so didn't mention it until I picked it up when it was too late, time will tell?

 

[frupi]

I had wrongly assumed it was a routine replacement whilst getting the belt done so didn't mention it until I picked it up when it was too late, time will tell?

Sadly John, it is not. Unfortunately, there are Service Managers out there who haven't got a scooby about much mechanical, if they did, they'd have said something at the time. However, any decent technician would have gone to the effort of speaking to the Service Manager at the time and double checking that the customer didn't want the waterpump changing.

I can only stress to those people who have yet to have a cambelt replacement, don't forego the opportunity to have a waterpump replacement at the same time, it's only a few quid extra to get it done. Almost all cambelt failures resulting in a wrecked engine, are entirely down to the failure of other components or more rarely, an incompetent mechanic not doing the job properly. The cambelt itself is an extremely strong bit of kit.