bob b Posted February 5, 2009 Share Posted February 5, 2009 I've been quoted just under £500.00 to replace the cambelt on the motorhome. The price includes the fitment of the genuine Fiat kit, which includes the pulley and guides. The price of the kit is £166.83. Does this figure seem excessive or am I out of touch with garage prices these days ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rowan Lee Posted February 5, 2009 Share Posted February 5, 2009 We have a 2002 Ducato and had the cambelt done at the last service. The total bill was £623.00. Labour was £233.75 and parts £296.63. The service included new fuel and air filters, front brake pads, front cross member and fan belt as well as all the oil and stuff. The timing belt kit is shown at £74.33. The description of the work done: carry out service to include strip and overhaul front and rear brakes. Clean lubricate and adjust rear brakes. Supply and fit new front brake pads. Strip as necessary to gain access to timing belt. Turn over engine. Recheck timing mark alignment. Refit all parts to include new fan belt and air con belt. Dismantle as necessary to remove excessively corroded front cross member. Supply and fit new cross member. This was not done at a Fiat dealership and I don't know if the parts used were Fiat parts. All I know is that I have used this garage since purchasing the van and they have always done a good job at a reasonable price. So the answer to your question seems to me to be yes, it does seem a bit over the top. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rowan Lee Posted February 5, 2009 Share Posted February 5, 2009 Just on the subject of Fiat dealer servicing, in 2005 we lost fifth gear, a common problem I have now discovered. Because the vehicle had only done 20,000 kms, we took it to a Fiat dealer hoping to get a contribution from Fiat. This exercise cost us £662. Having then discovered this forum and read up on Fiat 5th gears, it seems on this occasion we paid well over the top. Never again will I go to a main dealer, unless of course we were to get a new vehicle, then it will go to a main dealer or whatever is required to maintain the warranty, until such times as the warranty expires. Sorry, this is off the point a bit, but maybe still relevant to your original question. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia Posted February 5, 2009 Share Posted February 5, 2009 Last Feb or March I was charged £111.12 (full cambelt kit) + labour £87.50. Full service inc front brake pads: parts £96.34 oil £27.23 + labour £122.50. All plus VAT £522.51. He also did some electrical wire re-routing in this price for the electrical step. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob b Posted February 5, 2009 Author Share Posted February 5, 2009 You got an excellent deal Rowan. The quote I got was from a small garage, not a dealership. If I can't get a sensible quote, I'll do it myself. A pattern is beginning to emerge !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyishuk Posted February 5, 2009 Share Posted February 5, 2009 Bob, Seems a little more than I paid, but mine was done about a year ago. Your post seems to jog my memory in that the air conditioning pipes have to moved and recharged to get to the Cambelt cover, Probably Dave Newall can confirm / deny this ? (Edited, my post seems as if it is Dave N quoting for the job, I was suggesting that Dave would know th ins and outs of the job) Rgds Tony Ish Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derek500 Posted February 5, 2009 Share Posted February 5, 2009 I believe the official time for the job, if the cab has aircon is 1.5 hours. The big factor is going to be the garage's labour charge. Here in Spain my official Fiat dealer charges 31€ per hour plus 16% IVA (spanish VAT). The price of parts here is cheaper as well. I lost part of my wing mirror in a knock in the UK, I was quoted £63 for a replacement at a Fiat garage. I waited until I returned home and got it for 23€ from my Fiat dealer. I've read on the forums before about UK motorhomers having their services done in France or Spain. I can understand why. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob b Posted February 5, 2009 Author Share Posted February 5, 2009 I've just ordered a CD workshop manual off the net. I'll see whats involved and probably do it myself. I've done a couple of cambelts on previous vehicles, but as my longjohns are in the wash, I thought I'd get a quote from a garage.It would be interesting to see what Dave would charge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted February 5, 2009 Share Posted February 5, 2009 bob b For the sake of comparison, you might try asking for a quote from the following http://www.motorcaravans-motorhomes.co.uk/Service%20Centre.htm as they change cam-belts on Fiat-based motorhomes very frequently. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob b Posted February 5, 2009 Author Share Posted February 5, 2009 Thanks Derek. Done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davenewellhome Posted February 5, 2009 Share Posted February 5, 2009 Sorry guys but Dave doesn't do cam belts. Simple reasons are: 1/ If I start doing cam belts I'll have to do them on all models and I don't fancy tackling some of the A class models with letterbox sized bonnet openings. 2/ The potential for expensive repairs if a belt fails subsequent to my changing the belt just don't bear thinking about. 3/ The large garage next door (Nationwide Autocentre) will do belt changes, I recently got a quote off them for a customer with a 2.8 Ducato and it was around £325 which includes the belt kit and redesigned tensioner kit. Cheers, D. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
euroserv Posted February 5, 2009 Share Posted February 5, 2009 Hello Bob, Tony made a good point, you do indeed have to remove the air con pipes and therefore remove and re-fill the air-con gas. This would probably add about £50 to a normal cam belt price. We do these every day and would charge about £275 inc vat for the 2.8JTD and use genuine parts, but there is nothing wrong with using a high quality after market kit from the likes of 'Gates' who in fact make most OE parts anyway. I agree with Dave in that we would charge more for a difficult access job as found on some Hymers! Nick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob b Posted February 5, 2009 Author Share Posted February 5, 2009 Hi Nick,At £275 I would have booked it in without a second thought. £500 just seems too much money. I take the point about the air con pipes. The previous cam belts I had done were straightforward enough and I have all the tools and equipment.It's just too cold !!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyishuk Posted February 6, 2009 Share Posted February 6, 2009 Bob The cost was £440 included air con regassing ,recalibating and some tIdYing up of either Fiat's or Rapido's wiring which was dangling about! Rgds Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob b Posted February 6, 2009 Author Share Posted February 6, 2009 Thanks Tony. I know a friend of a friend who has regassed the air con on a previous vehicle I had. So if I do decide to do the cambelt change myself he'll sort the air con for a 'drink'.I will get some more quotes locally though. I'll try Kevin Griffin Cars Nightingale road, Horsham. The motorhome is MOT'd there every year & they're very good. You may like to use them yourself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minstrel Posted February 10, 2009 Share Posted February 10, 2009 We've had our cambelt replaced today at a cost of £295. It's a fiat garage but not the main dealer. They look after our cars and another four belonging to our children and spouses. They give us good service and I would recommend them to anyone. They are Tancocks, based on the Sowton trading estate in Exeter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minstrel Posted February 10, 2009 Share Posted February 10, 2009 I should have said also that this amount included a service, which is £80 - £90. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JudgeMental Posted February 11, 2009 Share Posted February 11, 2009 Minstrel - 2009-02-10 10:26 PM I should have said also that this amount included a service, which is £80 - £90. I really need to move out of London........ *-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davenewellhome Posted February 11, 2009 Share Posted February 11, 2009 I'm intrigued as to what level of service you get for this price, oil, filter, air filter and fuel filter for many modern motorhome base vehicles can easily cost up to £70 these days. D. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spartan3956 Posted February 11, 2009 Share Posted February 11, 2009 what does it cost ? I work at a Honda Main dealer they charge for all Honda cars £200.00 inc parts. plus vat. 5yrs or 80,000 miles. I had my last cambelt change done for £100 plus parts by a mechanic he did it on my drive in an hour. Re gassing of air con at quick fit they quote £45,dealer £89 all prices plus vat its a portable unit so it doesnt have to enter the garage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Kirby Posted February 11, 2009 Share Posted February 11, 2009 BobNot on your doorstep, I know, but you might find this firm a help http://tinyurl.com/bmch6g (G F Shaw Ltd)G F Shaw were official Fiat repairers, although I think they are no longer authorised for warranty work. I have used them, and they were always reasonably priced and very pleasant and straightforward to deal with. However, they are at Cowbeech, just North from Hailsham, so not handy from Horsham. Cherry on the cake though, is that they are also refrigeration specialists, so can deal with any aircon problems/work on the spot.May be worth giving them a ring, if you fancy the trek. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ROND Posted February 11, 2009 Share Posted February 11, 2009 bob b - 2009-02-05 4:18 PM I've been quoted just under £500.00 to replace the cambelt on the motorhome. The price includes the fitment of the genuine Fiat kit, which includes the pulley and guides. The price of the kit is £166.83. Does this figure seem excessive or am I out of touch with garage prices these days ? Far far too expensive, had mine done 6 months ago by a local Fiat main dealer and it came to £321.00 including VAT. Fiat main dealers have set times for normal service jobs so it doesnt work out too expensive despite £75 an hour labour charges. RD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob b Posted February 11, 2009 Author Share Posted February 11, 2009 Thanks Brian. I'll ring them tomorrow for a quote....I don't mind the journey. The firm Derek gave me haven't replied to my e mailed enquiry...obviously they're doing quite well !I received the Ducato CD today. Having skimmed through the relevant section I see that I need some locking tools for the camshaft that I haven't got...the ones I have got won't do.On another matter, I want to change the brake & clutch fluid. I've got to do it single handed and surfed the net last night for something suitable. I found a Sealey vacuum type bleeder to run off my compressor for £25.84 incl VAT. Sealey wanted £56 ! Just need some decent weather now !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davenewellhome Posted February 11, 2009 Share Posted February 11, 2009 Minstrel, I'm still intrigued as to what level of service you get for £90. Priced the service parts today for a 2.3 Ducato (08 reg) oil filter, air filter, fuel filter, engine oil (6 litres) and it came to £75 which only leaves £15 for labour. Can you elaborate on what level of service you had done and what exactly was covered please? D. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Archiesgrandad Posted February 12, 2009 Share Posted February 12, 2009 Hi We are in the process of having a new engine fitted to one of our Chrysler Grand Voyager, which is a derivative of that dreadful Fiat devise. Cambelt broke ofter 50,000 miles. This is the third one. Cost around £3500 plus. You do not have to take a vehicle to a manufacturers agent for servicing in order to defend the warranty. You simply have to ensure that all the service points are covered in accordance with the maker's specification. I have my cars serviced by my local man, and when I had a problem with my V8 Jaguar I took it to the main agent, and after investigation I had a new engine fitted under warranty. The car was four years old and had covered 105,000 miles, honest. AGD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.