Ducato engine/gearbox given up in France.

[Phill D]

Changing an 8 year old belt is the right thing to do.

Hope you get sorted.

I would certainly agree, 3 years past its recommended time and still good is fortunate.
I hope the current problem is cheap and an easy quick fix for the op.
But it does sound as if the cam belt area is the likely source of the problem.

 

[Mixyblob]

I

Further to my last, if it does indeed prove to be a failed cambelt, I would ask the garage to take pictures when they strip down the engine and give the cambelt a thourough examination to confirm it is a new one.
Cam belt change on Fiat is every 5 years so I can't get my head round why yours was only just changed. We're you advised to have it changed by the garage that did your service? As you say, you have done a few thousand Ks since it was changed so perhaps its not the cambelt at all.It will be interesting to know what the actual cause of failure is and perhaps this is dsonething you would consider posting on here as all too often members do not follow through with information leaving interested members in the dark. I do hope it's not a catastrophic failure.

I had it changed as the chap I bought the van from and the paperwork that came with it could not verify if, or when it had ever been changed in the past.
I'll try and update this post, as and when things happen.

 

[BILL 875]

My advice get on a breakdown truck and get it back to blighty asap all least you can argue in english and have more options.

 

[Phill D]

I

I had it changed as the chap I bought the van from and the paperwork that came with it could not verify if, or when it had ever been changed in the past.
I'll try and update this post, as and when things happen.

That was good sense
It would be a real shame if that is mow the problem.
Good luck with the fix.

 

[denisejoe]

That’s why after every service or any major works are carried out on either a car or in this case a Moho we always flit about for a weekend Local . For three days or more at a time before any trips . Just in case.

local help if something does go wrong ….…

We had cam belt tensioner bolts snap after 6 weeks and 3 weeks into a long tour of France.

it depends on when you are booked to return wether your breakdown will repatriate you for repair or leave the garage in France to do repair

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Catpirate]

Hi Mixyblob, (do you play Uckers)

Does sound cam belt related, you did the right thing in having it changed, my advice is to take lots of pics and get in writing the cause of failure. Does your insurance cover breakdowns (parts or labour or both) Wish you well and hope you manage to get it repaired

 

[PhilandMena]

I

I had it changed as the chap I bought the van from and the paperwork that came with it could not verify if, or when it had ever been changed in the past.
I'll try and update this post, as and when things happen.

Thanks! For what its worth, I did read that a cam belt should last around 10 years if correctly fitted, regardless of recommendations in service manual. Logic dictates the factory fitted cam belt will last longer than those fitted afterwards. Lets hope its nothing major.

 

[Guigsy]

Thanks! For what its worth, I did read that a cam belt should last around 10 years if correctly fitted, regardless of recommendations in service manual. Logic dictates the factory fitted cam belt will last longer than those fitted afterwards. Lets hope its nothing major.

Engineering failure curve. You've probably got a 50% chance that'll not fail by the time it gets to 10 years. But it wouldn't be acceptable for half of engines to seize up before the service item is due. I'd guess that at the 5 year mark, the chance of premature failure is still less than 1%.

 

[Dorwyn]

It always worries me when a good vehicle goes in for something like that. One sloppy mechanic and it's all in jeopardy. Plus it's never going to be as good as the original. I know there is more risk as things get older, but 4 years or 40k, or whatever, is too much of a risk, and smacks more of profiteering. Added to which, how do you know it's been done?

 

[Phill D]

It always worries me when a good vehicle goes in for something like that. One sloppy mechanic and it's all in jeopardy. Plus it's never going to be as good as the original. I know there is more risk as things get older, but 4 years or 40k, or whatever, is too much of a risk, and smacks more of profiteering. Added to which, how do you know it's been done?

If the water pump was charged you can see a bright shiny new alloy casting stuck on the side of the engine. You have to remove the cambelt to fit it.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[gloworm]

Sadly i too suspect cam belt,
But i had a turbo split in a diesel engine car and that made allsorts of noises and the oil filled the cylinders and caused it to hydro lock,
So it was a case of drain oil from bores & intercooler, fit new turbo and away it went,
Good luck with yours.
Eric

 

[Spriddler]

I had a petrol car engine that was fail-safe as there was clearance between an open valve and a piston if the belt broke. I doubt that is possible with diesel engines that have a higher comp ratio and therefore less valve to piston clearance.

 

[sonar]

I

I had it changed as the chap I bought the van from and the paperwork that came with it could not verify if, or when it had ever been changed in the past.
I'll try and update this post, as and when things happen.

Exactly the same reason we have just done ours. Now we have to paper work for later included in the Moho file.

 

[Mixyblob]

Hi Mixyblob, (do you play Uckers)

Yes, well I used to when I was in the RAF many years ago and many times since.
Constantly get "its a hairy arsed matelots game, what are you doing playing it"
We used bomb release cartridges as bits, non of your sawn off broom handle malarkey.
Great game, spent many hours playing in the crewroom between sorties.
Always remember, if in doubt, the rules are written on the base of the board.

 

[Catpirate]

Yes, well I used to when I was in the RAF many years ago and many times since.
Constantly get "its a hairy arsed matelots game, what are you doing playing it"
We used bomb release cartridges as bits, non of your sawn off broom handle malarkey.
Great game, spent many hours playing in the crewroom between sorties.
Always remember, if in doubt, the rules are written on the base of the board.

LOL ex navy here

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Spriddler]

Constantly get "its a hairy arsed matelots game, what are you doing playing it"

How did he come to know that you weren't hairy-arsed?

 

[gloworm]

Any news on your motorhome yet ?.

 

[IRHP]

At least we might have some redress against the garage who did the work, assuming, of course, it is cambelt related.

Could be a struggle if you’ve done a few 1000km since the work. The garage will wriggle out of responsibility any way they can.

 

[Mixyblob]

Any news on your motorhome yet ?.

En route to Toulouse on the back of a low loader as I type. The driver has 2 phones and a hand held sat nav and using all 3.
Ive never been to Alton Towers but I bet they dont have a ride as scary as this.
Will update, as and when.

 

[MisterB]

(That's one for your van and one for your journey !!)

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[yodeli]

En route to Toulouse on the back of a low loader as I type. The driver has 2 phones and a hand held sat nav and using all 3.
Ive never been to Alton Towers but I bet they dont have a ride as scary as this.
Will update, as and when.

Toulouse? Where to exactly?
OI !!!! You're not going to go to Toulouse without paying me a visit!
Just you try.... I bet I'll forget my French with any mechanic around if you don't
Kiding only, but of course you're welcome if you want to come and stay for a stop over or more!
BALMA 31130 is my location!

 

[clanjones]

It never ceases to amaze me how helpful and support this forum is.

 

[Geo]

Clutch and flywheel collapsed ????

 

[Mixyblob]

Toulouse? Where to exactly?
OI !!!! You're not going to go to Toulouse without paying me a visit!
Just you try.... I bet I'll forget my French with any mechanic around if you don't
Kiding only, but of course you're welcome if you want to come and stay for a stop over or more!
BALMA 31130 is my location!

Thanks for the very kind offer yodeli but we're uanable to drive our camping car. Its currently waiting for the mechanics in Muret to try to diagnose the problem, some time this afternoon

 

[yodeli]

It seems it's going to be Dougnac garage as the other Fiat one doesn't do Mohos
...... Hummmm 5 kms away from me lol!
Edit
You were typing at the same time , Blagnac is not as near but not that far either (15 to 20 mns when there's no traffic).
I was hoping your visit once the job is done by all means!

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[L' Hobo]

It always surprises me that when one has a cambelt change, one never insists on a NEW tensioner stud.
Many mechanics fit new cambelt, new tensioner but, because it's not part of the kit, they do not replace the old stud?

I ALWAYS renew the stud, after all, it has taken a hell of a lot of side pressure and vibration!
(might be worth thinking about in future, just make certain it's the correct one?)

 

[Mixyblob]

Clutch and flywheel collapsed ????

Certainly a possibility, and probably just as expensive.

 

[yodeli]

Thanks for the very kind offer yodeli but we're uanable to drive our camping car. Its currently waiting for the mechanics in Muret to try to diagnose the problem, some time this afternoon

Is your insurance taking hotel invoice in charge?

 

[Mixyblob]

It seems it's going to be Dougnac garage as the other Fiat one doesn't do Mohos
...... Hummmm 5 kms away from me lol!
Edit
You were typing at the same time , Blagnac is not as near but not that far either (15 to 20 mns when there's no traffic).
I was hoping your visit once the job is done by all means!

We'll certainly try to visit, will definitely keep in touch.

 

[Mixyblob]

Is your insurance taking hotel invoice in charge?

Yes but only up to €300. We're concidering flying back home if its going to take a while to repair.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}