Cambelt - do we change it or not

The difference with a car and the ducato is that fiat doesn't recommend/ stipulate a pump change.
Real data needed here. Has any one had a ducato water pump fail at any milage (and at what miles)
 
the1andonly said:
The difference with a car and the ducato is that fiat doesn't recommend/ stipulate a pump change.
Real data needed here. Has any one had a ducato water pump fail at any milage (and at what miles)
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My comments were more around being recommended - which I was and we changed the pump at the same time.
 
Do take a chance on this item.
With a camper it is usually the age that triggers it, 5 years for my 2,8 JTD
Same with tyres, I have never worn a set out but did have a bulge on one. These are changed at 7 years I think.
 
Just had fiat on the phone quoting £650 for cambelt plus to check over the pump, as I’m far from being mechanical minded does that sound ok?. Thanks in advance.
PS, it actually says replace timing belt, but I’m guessing that’s the same thing.🤣🤣

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That seems very cheap for a Fiat dealer. How they check the water pump is beyond me. They can only assess its condition on the day they look at it and then they can only check for leaks and bearing play. I would enquire exactly what they intend to do.

I had my belt and water pump changed at an independent and that was £730. Fiat wanted £1650!!!
 
when you think about it, a cambelt is just a glorified rubber band, reinforced with kevlar fibres. They dry out, age and start cracking especially if only low mileage. In fact I believe from experience that belts on low miles engines age much faster than high miles per year. Always change within the schedule. Anything over is a very expensive gamble

If only one tooth of the belt fails, catastrophic failure is inevitable if neglected

The timing and clearances on modern engines are much tighter than they used to be. Add that to the increased torque output of smaller engines, and you really do need to ensure they are kept well maintained
 
U.Toadifact said:
That seems very cheap for a Fiat dealer. How they check the water pump is beyond me. They can only assess its condition on the day they look at it and then they can only check for leaks and bearing play. I would enquire exactly what they intend to do.

I had my belt and water pump changed at an independent and that was £730. Fiat wanted £1650!!!
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Ah, maybe the shocking truth comes when they tell me the pump needs replacing at a cost of £££££. I think I’ll get back to them and ask the cost of the pump, thanks for your help.
 
the1andonly said:
The difference with a car and the ducato is that fiat doesn't recommend/ stipulate a pump change.
Real data needed here. Has any one had a ducato water pump fail at any milage (and at what miles)
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2017 build Ducato, purchased 2018 so belt changed last month (at 12,000 miles!). Water pump found to be leaking, so that was changed too :oops:
 
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From another forum and an experienced fleet manager
The water pump on the 2.3JTD is designed to last the lifetime of the vehicle and unless there are obvious signs that something is amiss, it should be left well alone. It is a much bigger job than you might think and access is extremely difficult. The fuel pump has to be removed and if any of the bolts are problematic it will require the engine to be removed to remedy. I have only ever changed one and it was because the engine was already out. No problems so far and many of our vehicles do 250,000 miles before we move them on.
It is vital that the tensioners are changed as they are much more likely to wear than the belt itself. The screw for the adjustable tensioner should also be replaced and this is not normally part of the after-market kits.

You toss a coin and take your pick.

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Had mine (2016) changed at 19K last year. A new set of boots for it before next years perambulations. Enables you to sleep at night.
 
lamyj said:
Hymer - 2016 Ducato base - 19K on the clock
Booked in for MOT / Service - is it time to change cambelt ? :cautious:
Getting opinions from friends - some say Yes due to age - others say No due to low mileage :unsure:
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Just do it…..unless you have a big bag of money 💰 just to play roulette with.
 
Mickey1 said:
Just had fiat on the phone quoting £650 for cambelt plus to check over the pump, as I’m far from being mechanical minded does that sound ok?. Thanks in advance.
PS, it actually says replace timing belt, but I’m guessing that’s the same thing.🤣🤣
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Sounds reasonable. I recall it was around that figure I was charged last November by a Fiat garage.

They said no need to change the water pump and recommended not doing it.

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Water pumps are normally changed because if they leak you need to change the cam belt ! So the line of thought is it’s cheaper to change the water pump at the same time. VW have the same recommendations
 
From 2018 Ducato handbook.
(7) Advised maximum mileage 144,000 km. Irrespective of the mileage, the timing drive belt must be changed every 4 years for heavy-duty use (cold climates, town use, long periods of idling) or at least every 5 years
 
When choosing a base vehicle, try and source a chain drive instead of a cheapskate toothed cam belt drive. Found on our 1600 cc Renault Trafic and Vivaro/Nissan equivalents. Don't know about 2 litre engines. My Honda Jazz also has a chain drive.
Chain drives can last up to 200,000 miles if engines are well maintained, saving up to £1000 every 5 years or 50,000 miles.
Alternatively, try to source a "non interference " engine designed if the belt fails, so that the pistons can't smash into the lowered valves thereby wrecking the engine.
Finally, if changing the cam belt, ALWAYS change the tensioner as if these seize, the belt will quickly be shredded or jump a tooth.
 
Lenny HB said:
Mine going in next week Fiat dealer £578, independant quoted £800.
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Sounds about right Lenny just had Adams Morey change cam belt and 4 year service cam belt £560 and service £200.😊
 
Cambelt & waterpump for me, apparently if the waterpump bearings go it could have a similar effect as the cambelt snapping. (I would have thought you would hear them screetching first though) If your moho has been in damp winter storage the belt may have degraded faster over that time as well.
My chassis was built over 1 year before the van was registered (not uncommon for mohos) I always factor that in, so 6 years becomes 7 for example :oops: I changed the engine oil & filter after the first 800 miles as I always change it every year & the engine oil & filter were already over 1 year old from new. Whish I changed the gearbox oil at the same time, rather than later, as well :sick:

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lamyj said:
Hymer - 2016 Ducato base - 19K on the clock
Booked in for MOT / Service - is it time to change cambelt ? :cautious:
Getting opinions from friends - some say Yes due to age - others say No due to low mileage :unsure:
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Many fiat engines don't have cambelts but have a chain cam drive instead. I would find out from fiat if you even have one.
 
My 2.3 2017 Ducato 19000 miles cam belt changed at Fiat Professional £519, checked water pump and declared it ok, would have been £900 if the water pump was required.
 
movan said:
Different mh, but my mileage is EXCEPTIONALLY low. I did change mine after endless advice, due to the age.
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One of my vehicles has done around 500 miles in 4 years it will be getting a cam belt this year. Just haven’t used it very much as I have too much choice ( spoilt I know) but if it snaps it would cost between 6-11k to repair or replace the engine so for a few hundred quid it’s a bargain.

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Bcollinson said:
Many fiat engines don't have cambelts but have a chain cam drive instead. I would find out from fiat if you even have one.
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I think you will find all of the newer versions have cam belts from around 2012 on🤔
 
I change mine at 5 years on the basis the vanco campers are under very high pressure, much more so than regular tyres.
 
the1andonly said:
the question is not do i change it ( age says yes) but, what do i change?
can i change the belt and tensioners and leave pump in place . no need to change pump because of miles/ fiat recommendations
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Depends what vehicle you have . On the fiat ducato 244 models the water pump is not cambelt driven so no need to change it at the same time.

But if the pump is cambelt driven then its madness not to change it.
 
Blossom said:
I don’t think I dare ask this, and there may be price differences on vans, but what sort of price range are we looking at for a cambelt change?
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Normally between £3 and 500 .

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