Cam Belt Renewal
I plan to renew the cam belt on my Fiat based motorhome before the start of next years touring and was wondering what I might have to pay before I approach local garages. Any info appreciated.
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Sorry, I can't give you any idea of cost. Main dealer, trusted independent garage, Fiat, Ford, Mercedes etc are all factors that will affect the price and Fiat tend not to be cheap to repair.
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Generally the water pump is changed at the same time. Budget for about £500 and make sure the garage uses high quality parts. Absolutely no need to use Fiat dealer.
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I had a full service and cam belt change back in March at a commercial vehicle garage and it was just shy of £800 in total. That's on an A Class with its customary "letter box" bonnet!
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About right in my experience, £500 for a cambelt/water pump and £300 for a full major service from a dealer.
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I realise that very few, if any engines are safe these days in the event of a cam belt snapping, however there are various set ups, some easier than others ... and not all water pumps are cam belt driven, some are still driven by a 'fan belt'. But even so, £800 seems to be a lot .... maybe it's because they are something I'd probably do myself.
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We have had our cam belt replaced twice on our VW T4, cam belt, water pump and labour came to around £400 each time. Quality parts as well. We use a trusted, independent garage who do all the work on our MH, so I would shop around, steer clear of dealerships if possible and if you can read feedback if it’s available. It’s not something we ignore, it’s done as recommended. No idea where you are Greylag, but that’s a garage in South Yorks. We use then for other vehicles as well.
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Whatever…
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Prices quoted for a good kit,like a Gates kit,are in the area of what I have paid -fitted and with a full service at our very reliable local garage.I know this as we kept both of our previous MHs to 6 years and swapped the cam belt and pump at 5 years.At five years you may also need to factor in approx £500 for a new set of tyres -Michelin/Continentals etc.
As a proportion of the high residual value on a MH at that age,it is not too much to lay out -IMHO.
Like TDA I know of a very trustworthy garage in SY - all our Family and friends use them; 40 years plus in our case.
Ask if you are near SY and I will supply details.
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Happy to…. CY used a ‘commercial’ garage - is that ‘local’? Who knows, it’s a garage. In any event I don’t think labour charges are much different these days between good, trusted, popular ‘local’ garages and dealers. I had the cambelt replaced on my Golf by my local trusted garage and it cost slightly more than the local VAG dealer quote. I was happy to pay more because the VAG dealer is rubbish. I’ve also had my Ducato first service at a Fiat Professional dealer and subsequently by my local, trusted garage - circa £300 in both cases. Dismantling the front of an engine and replacing water pump and belts etc is not something that would be included in any routine service schedule.
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I see what you're saying .... I've no idea of Fiat's labour rates, but I know that local garages are cheaper than Merc's £120-ish labour rates. I'd expect coolant flushes in a major service ??? If the water pump does get replaced with a cam belt change, there's some kind of cross over.
We'll wait for CY to confirm one way or the other as to whether a 'commercial garage' is a local garage or main dealer .... 😉
I know that I'd be very reluctant to pay £800 for a cam belt - I'd do it myself first ..... the last car I had with a cam belt was my V6 Omega & I know that the dealer's charge was no where that - despite it being a fairly complex set up.
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I don’t think they’ve made an Omega in 20 years? Prices have increased a bit since then🥴
I like to think I’m fairly handy with cars having owned and maintained quite a few classic cars over the years. However, I wouldn’t tackle a cambelt change - tried it in a Fiesta Zetec once, but gave up as it was a struggle without special engine timing tools - cheaper to get a mobile mechanic to do it.
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Fair point (love the V6 btw).
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If I could refresh this thread ...............
My van is now coming up to six years old, but I have done less than 15,000 miles. It is due a service and MOT. I use a commercial vehicle, main dealer workshop so I am paying top prices, but willingly. I am advised that Fiat state that the cambelt should be changed at 120,000 miles or after 5 years.
If you can just take it that the cost is very substantial, my question is, given my low mileage, would you have it changed now or leave it for another few years? The man I deal with at the workshop told me honestly that many owners of low-mileage vans do not have it done after five years. Equally he said that if it goes, and wrecks the engine, I would be "on my own". Fiat would not exactly be empathetic!
Would you have it done or not?
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"Do ya feel lucky? Well, do ya punk?". Had mine done last year at 17000.
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Did CY say that?
Anyway, I appreciate your advice and thank you for you for it; I am going to change it.
I will stick with the workshop I have always used. Yes, I am paying more, probably, but they look after me well and they are conveniently close.
Thanks again.
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GJ, definitely have it done. But shop around, independent garages are very good, dealers are just rip off merchants. Every vehicle we have owned, has gone to an independent garage once out of any warranty. The hassle from dealers is just so frustrating, not just the hugely inflated prices they charge. Find a good one, read reviews, talk to the mechanics, discuss what you want, any parts options. They are often far better mechanics because they work on a greater range of vehicles.
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I had ours changed after 5 years by our local Fiat dealer. Cam belt, new water pump and short service was about £500. They gave me the old parts, including the cam belt and they were in pristine condition but I felt it was money well spent.
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Thank you. I appreciate the advice.
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