Timing belt and service

[marchie]

It should go without saying that any engine spares should come from a bona fide supplier near you if possible, not worth saving a tenner to spend thousands.

'What was that?'
'Dunno. It went without saying ...'

Steve

 

[Pudsey Bear]

I said nowt Steve, it must be his fault it went awry.

 

[Iandsm]

Fiat, in common with other manufacturers do not make most of the components they fit to their vehicles. They will commonly use cambelts and components from large makers of such stuff, like Ina, Goodyear, FAI, BGS, Conti, Dayco and so on. The only thing special about Fiat and other dealers is their ability to overcharge people.

Peugeot original fuel filter = £223. UFI filter (as used by Peugeot) £89

 

[wildebus]

Peugeot original fuel filter = £223. UFI filter (as used by Peugeot) £89

geeze. Either one sounds a major rip-off for a fuel filter!

 

[SimonM]

I’d expect that to be the complete UFI unit, the one that can split generally after being opened without use of the correct tool. I always carry a new unit with me just in case. I change the internal filter at home using the correct tool and torque wrench.
But yes the OE price is a rip off and UFI are the makers.

 

[marchie]

I said nowt Steve, it must be his fault it went awry.

A wry what, Kev? Smile [you're not on Candid Camera], or 'Catcher in the Rye'. Or even the Seven Seas of Rye? [belting version by Queen!]

Steve

 

[Geek]

Well the motorhome is coming up to five years old, I rung fiat professional who confirmed that the timing belt needs changing at five years old, I asked for a price from the Walton summit Fiat professional centre, it was £1,100 if it's just the timing belt and £1,500 if they also do the water pump. Bugger that I thought. I enquired at my local garage, it was a lot cheaper and they have done work for me and my family before.

I've attached the bill, this included a oil change as I don't like the idea of only having it done every two years, and a general check over, asked them to also check the brake fluid for water contamination. The old timing belt didn't look in bad condition to be fair, but the mechanic said it's hard to tell as the material goes hard over time. Hopefully this gives others an idea of the price to have the work done when you are due.

View attachment 66739

Ah but that will have been done by a trained, skilled and experienced mechanic.

At the main dealer's the work would have been done by an apprentice who needs expensive supervision, and they need to budget for fixing all the things the trainee messes up: cross-threaded nuts, stripped bolts and the like. And there's the comfy waiting area and dolled-up receptionists to pay for as well.

 

[Millie Master]

And there's the comfy waiting area and dolled-up receptionists to pay for as well.

And that is the main reason why I NEVER EVER use main dealers, most especially motorhome dealers

 

[El radge]

Ah but that will have been done by a trained, skilled and experienced mechanic.

At the main dealer's the work would have been done by an apprentice who needs expensive supervision, and they need to budget for fixing all the things the trainee messes up: cross-threaded nuts, stripped bolts and the like. And there's the comfy waiting area and dolled-up receptionists to pay for as well.

How much for one of those receptionists ?

 

[Pudsey Bear]

How much for one of those receptionists ?

More than any man can afford.

 

[marchie]

More than any man can afford.

'Thank you for calling Arnold Clark; how may I direct your call?'
'Easy; just press the button and dial the extension for the Service Department. That'll be £65 minimum charge for the technical advice ...'

Steve

 

[Jenrai]

So I just contacted my Citroen main dealer who told me the timing belt and water pump need changing at 96000 or 10 years on my Citroen Relay 2018. So I don't need to worry about it yet

 

[Mr and Mrs Tupcox]

So I just contacted my Citroen main dealer who told me the timing belt and water pump need changing at 96000 or 10 years on my Citroen Relay 2018. So I don't need to worry about it yet

I was told same with our fiat 2017 2.3 180 bhp from main agents .
But every one on different forums says 60k and 5 years.

 

[Burge]

When buying a 2nd hand vehicle (car) I have always replaced the Cambelt & Water Pump first job then it's piece of mind & you don't need to worry about it.Think ours is a Chain on the van.

 

[Pudsey Bear]

It's funny how we all do things in a different way, we've had 11 vans and only done the cambelt on one, I did the clutch too on that one, I had to fit clutch and flywheel on the self-build and a clutch slave cylinder on this van, I add that I wouldn't buy a van that didn't show a recent cam belt in the receipts.

 

[argoose]

The only caveat I would add is that of posts on another Forum reporting problems with the reliability of [non Fiat] 'Cambelt Kits' in relation to subsequent cambelt failure. It's probably one area where I would ask my garage to use only the Fiat genuine parts

Steve

Or, source the parts yourself and ask garage to fit them. You only pay labour at the garage

 

[wildebus]

Or, source the parts yourself and ask garage to fit them. You only pay labour at the garage

Many garages will not do that, especially with pattern parts. If the belt then fails, whose responsible? The person who fitted it or the person who supplied it?

Can be false economy IMO.

 

[argoose]

Many garages will not do that, especially with pattern parts. If the belt then fails, whose responsible? The person who fitted it or the person who supplied it?

Can be false economy IMO.

The Indy garage I use always asks when I book work if I am suppling parts or are they. Which means I can choose what parts are used. If I supply parts they would be OEM, I trust the garage to do the work . So I'd be saving on main dealer labour charges and run the same risk as any failure if I'd have taken it to main dealer. Might be false economy on a top end nearly new MH but on a 2005 basic MH it is a risk I'm willing to take.