Punto Timing belt

Hi, The timing belt on my punto MK1 SX55 has gone (or so i'm told). The garage want £300 to supply and fit a new one. This seems expensive, is it a hard job to do?

TIA.

Danny

Reply to
Danny Jones
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When you say "gone" do you mean broken? A broken camshaft timing belt usually mean a wrecked engine and the car simply won't go. If it is merely due for replacement, £300 seems excessive. It can cost £150 if the tensioner and other bits and pieces are replaced at the same time.

Reply to
Another Dave

It makes a squeaking noise when the enigne speed reaches 2.5-3k revs, so I assume its on its way out. The car has done 54k miles. I was quouted about £120 from another garage, I'll take it there! Thanks for the advice!

Reply to
Danny Jones

I have heard that there wil be no damage on a punto 55 when it brakes...

Reply to
Draak

Sounds more like a problem with the tensioner pulley. Make sure that they replace that as well.

Dominic.

Reply to
Dominic Cioccarelli

I will second this. Most newer models of Fiats and Alfas (possibly even Ferarris?) use non metal tensioners and static belt stretchers/pulleys. This is certainly true post 2000. Pre 1993 was all steel. 93 to 99 one could have either.

It is the plastic components that become noisy and fail prematurely. This is definitely true of the toothed wheels (excluding crank and cams which I believe are all still steel).

Reply to
Nick Bailey /////

Thanks to all who replied, got it sorted now!

Danny.

Reply to
Danny Jones

The tensioner on the 55S is metal and contains a bearing in the centre that is protected using side seals. Eventually, the lubication dries out. The tensioner makes a whirring, high pitched squeal that can occur on and off. It does not always make the sound on a continuous basis. There are no other guide wheels. Replacement is about £10 from a motor factors.

If the belt does break, it does no engine damage in the 55S. When fully open, the valves only reach the level of the cylinder head gasket. Furthermore, they open directly above cylinder and not in at an angle, so even if they do hit the piston, it will push them up and not bend the valve shaft. The gap in the valve shims will take up any additional upward push.

Belt replacement is very easy - just follow the manual. Twist the tensioned belt and it will rotate moderately easily through 90o only - but remember you do not do it at the longest part of the belt (as I have seen in several places) - this makes no sense as the crank pully is pulling down on the belt as it goes over the cam wheel. So this part is always under full tension. You should test it as it leaves the crank on its way up to the tensioner.

Reply to
Paul

Think yourself lucky mate. £130 for a timing belt change is superb. I've got a 20v Turbo Fiat Coupe and Fiat want £1200 to change it!! Specialists can do it for £400 though.

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Reply to
Stuart Watson

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