How risky is it to delay cam belt change on a Fiat Ducato?

[Sixty-nine Chevy]

Hi. I understand that the cam belt on a Fiat Ducato should be replaced every five years. This means that we should have had it done last June, but we didn't because a medical issue greatly limited the use of our campervan last year. As a result even now we have done less than 3,000 miles since last June. Ideally we would like to get the cam belt replaced this coming June when a normal service is also due. Does anyone know how risky it would be to have such a delay of one year? Are we asking for trouble? If an old cam belt does die, is it a catastrophic thing that goes with a bang? Or would we first see some kind of performance drop off? Thanks for any comments.

 

[Lenny HB]

Always on all my Vehicles when having the C/Belt replaced have had the Water Pump done whilst it's all stripped down

Fiat do not recommend changing the water pump supposed to be good for the live of the engine.

 

[Lenny HB]

I dread to think what a replacement Ducato engine would cost these days… I recently heard of somebody with a 9 speed autobox failure costing £11k ,

9 speed box, torque converter and ECU £13k plus £2k to fit, happened to a friend.
I think an engine is about £8k plus £2k to fit.

 

[Markman]

Got ours done on the van last year, at about 55,000 miles after 6 years (2018 to 2024) cost £660 at my local independent compared to £570 done 2 months after my Seat Leon from 2015 and 85,000 miles.

I had a belt go on a Toyota Camry in the 1990s in Belgium. Power just disappeared while in the fast lane. Luckily able to coast to edge of motorway. Taken to a local garage with B&B next door. No damage, just the £650 equivalent for new belt. and loss of a vacation day or two . . . with not enough to read (and no internet).

So I guess I have been one of the lucky ones.

 

[Googlebot]

Mate had one go in an A class.

Cost a fortune and couldn’t find a garage to take the size, or then they didn’t want to touch an a class. New engine.

I always change mine on time after that.

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

 

[IRHP]

I'd say your first one should be done at 5 years or less as the van could be over a year old before it leaves the converter. I'd say 5 years should have a good bit of safety margin built in. A belt should last a lot longer than 5 years so if it's the second time I wouldn't be so concerned

 

[Coolcats]

Hi. I understand that the cam belt on a Fiat Ducato should be replaced every five years. This means that we should have had it done last June, but we didn't because a medical issue greatly limited the use of our campervan last year. As a result even now we have done less than 3,000 miles since last June. Ideally we would like to get the cam belt replaced this coming June when a normal service is also due. Does anyone know how risky it would be to have such a delay of one year? Are we asking for trouble? If an old cam belt does die, is it a catastrophic thing that goes with a bang? Or would we first see some kind of performance drop off? Thanks for any comments.

When a belt fails it fails valves and pistons kiss each other and you will have an engine rebuild…..so as they say JFDI as soon as possible don’t delay….

 

[h1ghway1]

Check out my thread last October/November... I'm now a former moho owner

 

[Downsie]

Interestingly, after an earlier thread on the same topic I checked with my local garage & their PC said 10 years !
Didn't quite believe them some emailed Citroën and they [via Peugeot] that it is indeed a ten year replacement.
And I've since seen it printed on my service schedule.

So what sort of rubber band do I have if Citroën/Peugeot have the confidence of double the industry standard?

Citroën Relay 2.0 BlueHDi (130ps), 2017

Thanks for this. Like you I’ve got a Wildax on a Citroen, mine is 4 years old.
I had a conversation with my garage yesterday regarding timing belt replacement next year and he said definitely not needed until 10years and, as you say, it is printed on the service schedule. I’m glad someone else is agreeing with that.

 

[robnchris]

Ours was replaced at 30,000miles it looked like new, no sign of fatigue or wear just the luck of the draw.