tonyg3nwl Posted August 18, 2015 Share Posted August 18, 2015 Perhaps Nick might care to offer comment.. I have been told that belt should be changed at x miles or 2 years on fiat x250.. since motorhomes are usually very low mileage compared to white van man, why 2 years, is this just to boost Fiat income, or is that too cynical.. what is a reasonable cost for the job, and is 2 years stupidly short. I know it is a disaster if it breaks, but how likely is that bearing in mind relatively low mileage. any comments, advice please. tonyg3nwl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bounty hunter Posted August 18, 2015 Share Posted August 18, 2015 My friend has a 12 year old Frankia with a 2.8JT with approx 70000 miles on clock. 3 weeks ago his timing belt/tensioner broke and absolutely ruined engine. Garage has located a re-built engine which is being installed. 4 years ago belt etc was changed and he has travelled 10000 miles since.. In February his garage notified him van was due MOT so he put it in and then due to work left country for 2 weeks. Garage contacted him with apologies but MOT not due so he got them to service vehicle. On his return he was going throuigh all his post etc and only scanned first page and filed documentation. On second page was an advisory warning that cam belt was due replacement. Estimated cost is £7k. The choice is yours. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nowtelse2do Posted August 18, 2015 Share Posted August 18, 2015 Tony, I would think Nick's van's would be in the region of 100k over 2yr. Can't really compared them with a motorhome. I change mine MK5 Transit which ever comes first, 6yr or 60k miles. I would think that would be the same for yours. Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nowtelse2do Posted August 18, 2015 Share Posted August 18, 2015 On Irish internet at the mo....nearly as slow as my van...?? Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tracker Posted August 18, 2015 Share Posted August 18, 2015 What does the handbook say - and why not follow it's recommendations - it's what most of us do! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrianBW Posted August 18, 2015 Share Posted August 18, 2015 I was advised every 5 years what ever the mileage. Have done this to my 'P' reg. ever since purchase. I have a 1.9 turbo diesel Peugeot boxer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles Posted August 19, 2015 Share Posted August 19, 2015 My MINI and Berlingo (same 1.6 engine) were changed at 100k miles according to the service schedule. The MINI dealership thought the mini engine had a cam chain and advised me it never needed changing... Luckily I found out the mini had a belt on the Berlingo forum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maggyd Posted August 19, 2015 Share Posted August 19, 2015 On our KonTiki we sold a couple of years ago we changed it at 5 years , they was only 32k Miles on clock when we sold it, you don't want to risk waiting until it goes itself the damage is very costly as our Son found out on a car he had just bought two weeks previously. We had a mechanic that used to come out and do our service it was a lot cheaper than a garage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billggski Posted August 19, 2015 Share Posted August 19, 2015 The service booklet says 5 years whatever mileage, I have just changed it after six, having had a belt go in the past I take no chances now, Change the tensioners as well, and some say do the water pump while you are at it. But that makes it expensive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StuartO Posted August 19, 2015 Share Posted August 19, 2015 Long periods of idleness in storage cause particular sections of the timing belt to rest on the tensioners, which stresses them. Best not to exceed the recommended time intervals between belt changes, regardless of how low the mileage might have been. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
euroserv Posted August 19, 2015 Share Posted August 19, 2015 tonyg3nwl - 2015-08-18 8:01 PM Perhaps Nick might care to offer comment.. I have been told that belt should be changed at x miles or 2 years on fiat x250.. since motorhomes are usually very low mileage compared to white van man, why 2 years, is this just to boost Fiat income, or is that too cynical.. what is a reasonable cost for the job, and is 2 years stupidly short. I know it is a disaster if it breaks, but how likely is that bearing in mind relatively low mileage. any comments, advice please. tonyg3nwl Where, oh where did you hear such nonsense? 2 years?? On 2002 to 2006 Ducato's the 2.8JTD engine required a belt every 72,000 miles or 4 years; whichever came first. The 2.3JTD was 144,000 miles or 5 years. On all 2.3 engines since 2006 the stipulation has been 120,000 miles or 5 years. The belt must be changed along with a tensioner and an idler. The water pump should be checked at the same time and if found not to be leaking and the pump pulley moves freely it can be left alone. For the basic job without water pump I would say that around £350 plus VAT is reasonable. It is not a DIY job. You should negotiate a reasonable price for a franchised dealer to do it and enjoy the guarantee that this comes with. You will find that dealers that are also truck agents will offer the best prices. We do ours at 150,000 miles which is what they have normally done after 3 years. That is my choice; not a recommendation. Don't believe everything that you are told. There are a lot of 'experts' around but the wisest one is the booklet that came with your vehicle. N Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyg3nwl Posted August 19, 2015 Author Share Posted August 19, 2015 Thanks Nick, it was local fiat man that suggested the short time period, but maybe he was short of a bit of work. my van is on 09 plate and service record is obviously not complete, gaps in the book. (Prior to purchase) No record on fiat records show belt changed, and 26k on clock, so guess based on 5 year figure I should bite the bullet to be safe. tonyg3nwl. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billggski Posted August 19, 2015 Share Posted August 19, 2015 Although on an 09 plate, the base vehicle could be up to two years older, as Moho builders buy in stock and then work on them at their own pace. The build date will be in your blue Fiat folder with the service booklet. It will also be on a plate under the bonnet, but using a code. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia Posted August 21, 2015 Share Posted August 21, 2015 You have managed to panic me now. I am in France and for some reason I can''t find the paperwork so phoned bloke who did it last time for me and he says 5 years. Seems a long time since it was done so hope I get home ok!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia Posted August 21, 2015 Share Posted August 21, 2015 Sorry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyg3nwl Posted August 21, 2015 Author Share Posted August 21, 2015 Hi folks, dont panic, mine is now booked in for 2 weeks time, and am now confirmed that correct duration for my vehicle is indeed 5 years or 70000 miles. Cost quoted 325 include vat and tensioner bits if required..can easily be done in a day, get it there by 0830.. Tonyg3nwl. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest mikethe bike Posted August 21, 2015 Share Posted August 21, 2015 You should ALWAYS change the tensioner bearings along with the belt, as they are probably more likely to fail than the belt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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