Cambelt & Water Pump change quote from local Fiat garage today.

[Silver-Fox]

No thanks those are the ones there have been problems with.

We all value your opinion on all things Moho related.

But as someone posted before Fiat are supplied by an outside manufacturer.
I can’t remember who they are but I’d bet there are many Fiats driving around with Gates belts in them.

Did some dodgy look a like belts get into the system

One thing is for sure you will pay a premium for Fiat stamped parts they don’t actually produce.

 

[Lenny HB]

My independant with offer a full guarantee if they use the Fiat kit any other kit only the parts guaranteed so for an extra £200 not worth risking an engine going pop and costing £8k—£10k to get fixed.

 

[U.Toadifact]

There appears to be a bit of negative vibe around the Gates kits. I have just had installed a Gates kit on my PVC on the advice of my garage who assured me they are covered with the same warranty that would be supplied with a Fiat kit. That's good enough for me.

 

[Silver-Fox]

My independant with offer a full guarantee if they use the Fiat kit any other kit only the parts guaranteed so for an extra £200 not worth risking an engine going pop and costing £8k—£10k to get fixed.

That’s fair enough and I can only guess that Fiat would cover the engine rebuild if found to be fitted correctly.

It still wouldn’t stop the engine going pop in failure though.

The point I’m trying to get across is Fiat don’t manufacture their own belts and or many parts for their vehicles.
So it may well be a Gates belt in your van

 

[Sapper520]

That’s fair enough and I can only guess that Fiat would cover the engine rebuild if found to be fitted correctly.

It still wouldn’t stop the engine going pop in failure though.

The point I’m trying to get across is Fiat don’t manufacture their own belts and or many parts for their vehicles.
So it may well be a Gates belt in your van

The sceptic in me wonders if the Fiat garage would admit they fitted it incorrectly?

Mr Fiat tells me my water pump is not on the list to be done at cambelt time on my van version.

We’ve still got three years before ours is due, so I’ll revisit this subject then, I’m sure the same differences of opinion will still be going on.

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[Silver-Fox]

The sceptic in me wonders if the Fiat garage would admit they fitted it incorrectly?

Mr Fiat tells me my water pump is not on the list to be done at cambelt time on my van version.

We’ve still got three years before ours is due, so I’ll revisit this subject then, I’m sure the same differences of opinion will still be going on.

I was referring to the independent garage fitting a Fiat kit.
As you somehow I can’t see Fiat saying it was ok but who knows

 

[Roger20]

My independant with offer a full guarantee if they use the Fiat kit any other kit only the parts guaranteed so for an extra £200 not worth risking an engine going pop and costing £8k—£10k to get fixed.

Lenny HB - bit concerned that you seem to think that getting OEM is going to cost you an extra £200. Did you see my post #62 in this thread - £120 to £136? https://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/foru...t-cost-for-a-class.259891/page-3#post-4993388

As others have said there is no guarantee until you open the Fiat box that it isn't going to be a Gates part anyway.

 

[headlight]

I've got a bill in the folder that came with my 2006 Fiat Ducato 2.3 engined MH showing that at the end of 2020 mine had "full cam belt kit and water pump" parts £247.39 plus oil and filter £39.90.
Labour £180 total £467.29.

 

[Lenny HB]

Lenny HB - bit concerned that you seem to think that getting OEM is going to cost you an extra £200. Did you see my post #62 in this thread - £120 to £136? https://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/foru...t-cost-for-a-class.259891/page-3#post-4993388

As others have said there is no guarantee until you open the Fiat box that it isn't going to be a Gates part anyway.

Yes I did see your post and I will query it when I book it in. I suspect they will be charging full retail for the parts so if I want the job done by them that's the price I'll have to pay.
Years ago I would have shopped around for the absolute best price but I trust this company and have been using them for over 10 years.

 

[Fdhadi]

Generally as a rule cambelts should be changed around 5yrs on a Motorhome.
Personally although I wouldn’t fit myself, I think any cheap and nasty belt should be good for 5yrs.
Gates have been around for years and are a quality brand.

Strangely enough, I was at a local garage on Saturday am collecting my sons car. There was a 2005 Peugeot Motorhome having a belt replaced. I asked the mechanic what belts they use and he said Gates, always. He was also changing the water pump.

I’m not doubting Lenny in anyway and understand where he is coming from, but I would happily fit a Gates belt to our Motorhome.

As said earlier, Fiat don’t make Cambelts so where do Fiat get them from?

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[Abacist]

£100+vat as a minimum hourly rate of which the mechanic may get £15.
Even when I bought my brand new Toyota Hilux pickup in 2004 it never saw a Toyota dealers workshop for anything.

Whilst mainstream dealers have prime location premises this has to be reflected in the price but it does not mean the mechanic is the Dogs bollocks but will have the best equipment and facilities all of which are within the price including receptionists, training and all the other overheads.

 

[TrebleH]

That's Fiat for you, we had a front wheel bearing go mid France a few years ago, cost us over£1000and took 3 days!! We paid thinking we could take it up with Fiat on returning home, when we di they didn't want to know, no help whatsoever.

 

[BusyBuilder]

Mines in today, only 2 places that can handle an A class, either Fiat Inverness at over £1500 or my usual HGV/coach company at £750 +vat.
I salute you if you get it done at 400 or 500. But not much option where I live.

 

[MichaelT]

Mines in today, only 2 places that can handle an A class, either Fiat Inverness at over £1500 or my usual HGV/coach company at £750 +vat.
I salute you if you get it done at 400 or 500. But not much option where I live.

Perhaps you should send your mate Big Martin round to negotiate

 

[Davecrawf]

2011 2.3 l Fiat X 250. Wait for it............ £1,450.00

Stay away from dealerships! A good local independent garage if you can.

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[PhilandMena]

Stay away from dealerships! A good local independent garage if you can.

The job was done a while ago, as stated in the thread.

 

[Sapper520]

Stay away from dealerships! A good local independent garage if you can.

As I’ve said before…..try finding an local Independent.

 

[MichaelT]

As I’ve said before…..try finding an local Independent.

Why if you have a good local dealership on your doorstep?

 

[BusyBuilder]

Perhaps you should send your mate Big Martin round to negotiate

Why ? he doesn't have a motorhome.

 

[Sapper520]

Why if you have a good local dealership on your doorstep?

Because they didn’t even check my tyre pressures at the last service……but the ticked their service sheet to say they had. Simple job not done…..what will they be like doing a major job. Dirty great oily boot prints all over my cab carpets…..

£227 for what turned out to be nothing more than an oil change. However, being stuck and having no other place I can go that I know of, not much choice really.

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[MichaelT]

Because they didn’t even check my tyre pressures at the last service……but the ticked their service sheet to say they had. Simple job not done…..what will they be like doing a major job. Dirty great oily boot prints all over my cab carpets…..

£227 for what turned out to be nothing more than an oil change. However, being stuck and having no other place I can go that I know of, not much choice really.

But they are not all like that, our local Fiat garage although a bit expensive has always given us good service and advice.

 

[Sapper520]

But they are not all like that, our local Fiat garage although a bit expensive has always given us good service and advice.

I don’t mind paying if I feel confident I’ll get a good job done….

 

[gus-lopez]

I normally do auxiliary belts as well

Makes for a more contented life

I fail to understand why anyone wouldn't?

 

[Peregrinator]

No thanks those are the ones there have been problems with.

What we found, was the belt just being fitted, and nothing else checked, i.e. bearing was slightly off angle which caused belt to slip and rub, which in turn snapped belt, another one was pump wobbly, another belt snap, they blamed the belt.

 

[Peregrinator]

You have gone back to post #15 to get that quote so I hope you have read the rest of the post's and know why I gave that advice?

Fiat states that the water-pump will last the life of the engine if both are well maintained.

On the X250, it's not a simple job and if it's not leaking, by changing and disturbing it, it might?

You, of course, do what you want, my van has done 67,000mls and the pump has never been changed and will not be UNLESS it shows evidence of something untoward.
It's your money, you make the decision! (I'm only an Old Heavy Diesel Engineer, what do I know?)

I would do it for my own peace of mind, some can have luck on their side, But I am not one for chancing my luck, I have seen too many ceased or broken pumps over the counter, your right about the longer life of these pumps, but you never know when the wheel will shear off, seen a few.

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[L' Hobo]

I would do it for my own peace of mind, some can have luck on their side, But I am not one for chancing my luck, I have seen too many ceased or broken pumps over the counter, your right about the longer life of these pumps, but you never know when the wheel will shear off, seen a few.

Isn't it good that we all have choice?
I change my engine oil + filter EVERY year and my gearbox oil every 5yrs. ( Both with 'good' oil!)
Some people would also consider this unnecessary?
I also use my vehicle 12 months a year which I consider is essential!

As I said in my original post, 'you pays your money and takes your choice'! (Lets hope we are both right? )

 

[jezport]

Why does anyone even waste time getting a quote from Fiat Professional? They are always twice the price of other competent alternatives. I use PSN in West Yorkshire. They have 2 ex Fiat Professional fitters, who know Fiat vans inside out, tell the truth and charge less than half (£45/HR + VAT). You choose. I already did.

Interested in their details. My van is ready for a cambelt.

 

[richard burkinshaw]

Bridge House Station Yd, Station Yard/Halifax Rd, Halifax Rd, Liversedge WF15 6PS
2.9 mi

Broken Link Removed

 

[repairer]

I know many of the comments on this thread reference the cost of having work done at a dealer v independent, the reason in most cases regarding the hourly rate is the investment to become an authorised repairer. The investment is substantial, and cannot be avoided, your Independent garage can obtain “similar” equipment for much less investment.

I speak from experience.

 

[Nanniemate]

2011 2.3 l Fiat X 250. Wait for it............ £1,450.00

I'll get it done for you for £12,000 I'll collect and return it to you. Once the guy that did mine for £500 with a full service has finished it

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