Fiat timing belt time, how much should it cost for A Class

[mustangmike]

So it looks like the price depends on who is doing it. I'm getting a quote this week from my local HGV garage.

Is this full circle Norfolk? Please.

 

[airwave]

Anyone know the recommended service interval for the water pump belt and renewal of water pump. The Fiat user manual gives zero detail on what servicing is required at age/mileage intervals.

Truth is there is no set replacement date , or mileage for a water pump renewal . Normally it's done because of a leak , due to play developing in the main bearing .
Having said that , i have , just replaced the pump on my 2000 Hymer , after 22 years service .
The same goes for a fan belt , they are normally replaced due to the old one refusing to partake in it's chosen task , ie snapping . That's why it's advisable to always carry a spare . Maintenance is the key here , checking the belt for damage or cracking , and keeping it properly adjusted . I've also just replaced mine , along with an alternator , again there are no set limits for an alternator either . I removed my old one for a job i was doing , and it just seemed sensible to replace it , there and then . Again this was the original , though i seriously doubt the belt was !
A timing belt is a completely different animal , but as you have a chain , not really an issue . However , despite an engine chain being capable of very high mileages , they will eventually wear , and have also being known to snap . So it's not a fit , and forget item . The major problem here , is accessibility , making inspection very difficult . That said , the most likely issue , will be a failed adjuster system , probably followed closely behind by stretching . This will usually be preceded by an excessive rattling noise , to warn of pending problems , but care should be given not to confused this with tappets . The duke has a form of hydraulic lifters , so that should help .

I had the auxiliary belt break on my previous car at 12 years old. Should have had it replaced sooner. When it goes, you may find that you also lose power steering making it difficult to pull over and stop somewhere safe. When the water pump stops turning you risk overheating the engine too.

I've never had a fan belt snap in forty odd plus years of motoring , though i have had a motorcycle drive chain let go . It was in the days before i got into engineering , and one of the reasons i had shaft drive on my 500 . No doubt the warning signs were there , but i was young , stupid , and didn't know them , the result was it wrapped itself around the rear spocket , and locked the rear wheel solid . I'm really finicky with belts and chains now . My current bike is a quarter the engine size , and does have a chain , but it's serviced the same time , every time , the bike itself is .
I don't have a belt on my power steering , it's driven internally . However should any power steering belt let go , the steering will revert back to normal manual . It will be very heavy , though with the vehicle moving , still be relatively easy . The only vehicle i know of , that lost its steering completely was the mk1 Granada , though as it was not my vehicle , it may well have had a fault . You could turn lock to lock , without affecting the wheels .

 

[Roger20]

I've been following this and similar threads for some time because mine is due next year.

bertiebasset <Broken link removed> took some stick on this one when he put his head above the parapet to say how much (little) he paid and I have to admit I was one of the sceptics. However I'm now coming round to the view that many of the prices being quoted, particularly by main agents are just scandalous and even at half the £1100+ mentioned motorhomers are in danger of being badly exploited.

I've plenty more time yet to do a bit more research but what does seem to be the case is that for the X250/290 2.3l engine the part # 71736716 is coming up consistently, whether it's for official Fiat or Dayco/Gates/SKF etc.

OEM Fiat
£124 https://coastalmotorhomes.co.uk/fia...ming-belt-kit-genuine-oe-2-3jtd-71736716.html
£136 https://www.shop4parts.co.uk/?name=store&op=Product&ProdID=1907
£120 <Broken link removed>

The part numbers for the 3 boxes on the Coastal Motorhomes and Ebay listing are consistent so this is presumably the "kit".


Non OEM
£66-£87 SKF,Dayco, Gates etc Broken Link Removed
£71 https://www.shop4parts.co.uk/?name=store&op=Results&keywords=71736716

I was getting some tyres changed last week and noticed some vans in for repair so thought I would ask the question of the independent
garage next door. The owner had done many belt changes, the place looked very neat and tidy and he spent some time with his supplier checking for the correct part number. He originally suggested about £365 but after getting the correct part said £380 which ties in with quite a few other of the more reasonable prices which have been mentioned. Water pumps seem a bit of a red herring unless the van is quite old or high mileage, particularly as Fiat don't recommend changing in the earlier years.

Labour
This is the firm used by Mr Wilson in a previous post who attached his invoice https://www.thefiatandalfaromeospecialists.co.uk/about-us/
They are independent Fiat Alfa specialists who have excellent reviews on Google - their labour cost, including water pump change was only £312 including VAT, (although parts prices were high!) which is consistent with other low end prices we are seeing on these threads. (£70 off my quote gives £310).
One of the posters mentioned how long it had taken him to do the job himself but like any complex job this can probably be halved the next time round. The professionals who have done many of these will have this down to a fine art and you can bet that the official Fiat/Autodoc times will be the basis for some decent bonus rates!

On the basis that all information is helpful it would be good to know just how universal Part # 71736716 is for the Euro 5/6 2.3l Fiat engine. Can anyone else confirm this from invoices they received, whether Fiat Professional or other?

 

[airwave]

Personally speaking , @Wagoneer , maintenance is the key . A waterpump leak is detectable long before it becomes a problem , the same goes for a fan belt , and actually pretty much anything else can be counted along the same lines .
A service does not mean , as many people do , just changing the oil , and sometimes the filter once in a blue moon . It means a regular schedule where everything is checked . Chances are you won't find anything , but this is a pit fall , every now and again something will pop up . My car is 27 years old , french . and slated by everyone . I can say in 12 years on ownership it has let me down twice , it has never being recovered , and still does 72 to the gallon . I rarely find much wrong with it now . My own van was purchased secondhand in 2017 , and i've being playing catch up pretty much ever since . It is low mileage , less than 50k , but is 22 years old . Actually i moved into preventative maintenance a couple of years back , and recently have done some pretty major work to the cooling system , timing system , and electrical system . Various other bits have also undergone overhauled . I discovered corrosion in a typical Ducato trouble spot , not visible from below , as i always figured . The repair was quite straightforward as it had being caught early . Last year , i performed a close inspection of my power steering system . Every inch of the pipes was examined , not easy and inspection light often required . I found heavy corrosion on three of the main steel pipes , requiring replacement . This is currently in progress .
A typical service to me , includes amongst many things , a simple splashing of electrical contact cleaner into the alternator , and using a belt slip on the belts for lubrication . This brings them up like new . The last belt i replaced was intact , but beginning to shred . I've no idea how old it was , it was on the car when i brought it . And i've never replaced an alternator , due to failure .
My Hymer is a bitch to work on . Access at best can be described as poor , and being A class , the bonnet is ridiculously small . Again often needing an inspection light , plus i'm no youngster . Parts are also an issue , which is why it's taken me so long to complete my current tasks . I've spent close on 3k over the last 3 years , which you could treble if you took it to a professional . Yeah okay , im lucky , i can do it myself , but think on this . At the beginning of the year , i knew nothing about power steering . I now know the theory , it's surprisingly simple , i'm currently learning the practical .

 

[BusyBuilder]

Just had it done, garage said water pump was needing replacing. I take the Hymer to this HGV garage all the time. I find their hourly rate a bit odd. They always use Gates belts.

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[bigtwin]

and one of the reasons i had shaft drive on my 500

CX500 (aka the twisted twin, or, plastic maggot)?

Ian

 

[BusyBuilder]

CX500 (aka the twisted twin, or, plastic maggot)?

Ian

Lovely bike I had two, a 79 and an 81, went all over on it, never let me down

 

[airwave]

They always use Gates belts.

I've been using Gates , for years myself . Changed the cam belt on my Citreon many times , never had so much as a hiccup .

CX500 (aka the twisted twin, or, plastic maggot)?

Ian

Oh dear , yes mate , that's the one . i just referred to it as the magot , but it was a lovely bike , comfortable , and ultra reliable . Sailed through mots , despite its age . Even had one dealer try to get me to trade it in . When i asked him why , there's nothing wrong with it . He said that's the point , it's no good for business , you never buy anything for it .

 

[Sue and Rick]

Any trusted repairers in the West Yorkshire area Funster's can recommend for servicing and/or MOT?

I know this is an old thread but in answer to your question. We have used Bridgefield Garage on Elland bridge for MOT they have big ramps for motor homes as the owner has one. They also are doing some repairs on the missis car Wednesday and changing the fuel filter on our MH. I will take it for it’s MOT and service when due in October.
Hope this helps. They came recommended a couple of years back by our MH storage yard who uses them.