Scudo Cam Belt Advice

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Vehicle - Fiat Scudo 2.0JTD 2004 van

It's time for a cambelt change, and I'm not sure who the best people are to go for this sort of thing on this van. Should I trust my small back street garage who does all my general servicing, but seem to struggle on complicated technical things sometimes especially electronic diagnosis.

Or, should I go to someone who specialise in cam belts, like Mr Clutch (who I know nothing about) or a main dealer.

I phoned my main dealer for a quote for the belt, tensioner and water pump (ie. a cam belt kit) and came back at £646. This was a bit of a shock. Is this the going rate?

I'm just not sure how tricky it is to change cam belts on these vehicles and whether I should only trust someone who does lots of them on this model, or if I'm worrying unnecessaily and should let my local garage do it.

Any advice appreciated.
 
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Sorry but I can't recommend Mr. Clutch :eek:
Your local garage should be fine - in many ways you can't blame them for not investing in £10k's worth of diagnostic gear.....depends on how big they are - or want to be.
However, I'd ask them if they wanted the job first, and I wouldn't be huffed if they declined it.
I haven't done one, but the book time is 3.35 hours (working at the speed of light) and it looks an awkward one, requiring locking tools for the flywheel. I'd recommend a new water pump at the same time, together with a tensioner. (A timing belt kit usually has all the bits that's recommended as there's a guide wheel too - but no water pump).
John :)
 
Thanks John, good advice.

Yes, have to be realistic with the small, two man band that are great for servicing and mechanical work. Being a bit older, they know their stuff, but as you said, can't justify the latest computer equipment.

I'm a bit jittery with cam belts. If it was a clutch repair or new turbo, that sort of thing, and they got it wrong, not a real disaster. However, with belts it's bye bye engine.

I'm assuming that the main dealer price is may off the mark? They must be charging £150p.h. labour - even being very generous for parts and sundries, overheads, etc.

Only other sensible option may be an independent Fiat specialist in Bristol or the South West. Will see what my garage has to say first though.
 
It has to be said, the main dealer mark up on parts is huge - even down to the coolant you'll be charged top whack.
An independant garage - a good one that is - will use a Gates timing belt kit or similar, and Comma coolant......you won't get better products than that!
If you have an independant Fiat specialist near you, then use them I think - but even main dealer prices will vary so it could be worth ringing around.
John :)
 
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Just had a look at the Gates full timing kit, inc. pump is £100. Could save a fortune if I could do it myself, but no time and these modern diesels are so damn complicated. Used to do all my own mechanics when things were simpler. :(

Thanks again.
 
Not familiar with Fiats but if the cams "float" on the sprockets when replacing the belt or the high pressure fuel pump is driven off the cambelt then you NEED to go to a someone who has the correct tools, usually a FIAT specialist, franchise dealer or possibly a Bosc service centre.

It's not possible anymore (unfortunately) to simply mark things with a dod of paint before you start and then line the marks up when you finish. Even minuscule variations in cam / HP fuel pump timing will make it run like a 3 legged dog- if it runs at all.

Hope this helps

F.
 
Scudo 2.0 JTD uses Peugeot PSA group DW10 engine. Familiar to any peugeot/ citroen garage and many independants. Had mine done at a local place last year no problem at a cost of £280 all in! :D
 
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