[Terry M]

At what mileage should you change your timing belt?

 

[Koreanadian]

I think 150,000 miles is called for in the manual, but I've read posts on this forum with people doing it early as around 80K

 

[joejamieabarth]

It is 150K miles. Most ownes frankly never have to worry about it

 

[2012Pop500]

Hello My question is my 2012 Fiat 500 Pop was leaking oil the mechanic said I need a "crankshaft seal", which came looking like a little metal house w/circle in it. After taking off the tire he showed me where the leak was coming from. Then said I am going to need to replace the "timing belt" (no charge, because he has to go in there), take that stuff out anyway & it was saturated in oil, it may pop causing more problems most likely in the engine. Sadly, The oil spread all over the place under there. Do you agree with crank shaft seal & timing belt?

 

[smark]

Hello My question is my 2012 Fiat 500 Pop was leaking oil the mechanic said I need a "crankshaft seal", which came looking like a little metal house w/circle in it. After taking off the tire he showed me where the leak was coming from. Then said I am going to need to replace the "timing belt" (no charge, because he has to go in there), take that stuff out anyway & it was saturated in oil, it may pop causing more problems most likely in the engine. Sadly, The oil spread all over the place under there. Do you agree with crank shaft seal & timing belt?

The crankshaft seal is at one end of the engine. The timing belt is at the other. I’m not too sure how they relate. When you change the timing belt, you change the belt idler‘s to, and the water pump.

 

[Cynical]

Smark, are you saying the crankshaft is only sealed on one end? This would make me wonder, how the crankshaft pressures are sealed with only one seal.

Cynical

 

[motorking]

Sorry to dispute but your technician is correct. There are oil seals at both ends of the engine and when the one in the front leaks, it gets oil on the timing belt. If your timing belt breaks, it bends all the intake valves and results in a very $$ repair

 

[smark]

Sorry to dispute but your technician is correct. There are oil seals at both ends of the engine and when the one in the front leaks, it gets oil on the timing belt. If your timing belt breaks, it bends all the intake valves and results in a very $$ repair

When replacing the timing belt, the water pump, and the belt idlers. There is no need to replace the front seal. I’ve replaced many over the years. I’ve never run into any of front seals leaking. The rear main seal, on early 500’s. Especially manual transmission cars. The seals have been known to leak.

If a timing belt breaks on a interference engine valve train. The valves hit the pistons, bending them . I’ve only had one car that happen to. A Honda Predule. Honda at the time recommend replacing the timing belt, every 60K miles. It occurred around 50K,

I believe Fiat recommends, over 150k mile, or every 7 years. What ever come first. You’d have to look it up.

 

[ScorpioArtist]

Hello My question is my 2012 Fiat 500 Pop was leaking oil the mechanic said I need a "crankshaft seal", which came looking like a little metal house w/circle in it. After taking off the tire he showed me where the leak was coming from. Then said I am going to need to replace the "timing belt" (no charge, because he has to go in there), take that stuff out anyway & it was saturated in oil, it may pop causing more problems most likely in the engine. Sadly, The oil spread all over the place under there. Do you agree with crank shaft seal & timing belt?

I had my new 2012 rear engine seal replaced under warranty. They used a grey silicone that the mechanic said would solve the oil leak. It did so. Later models probably had this done at the factory.

 

[Cynical]

I had my new 2012 rear engine seal replaced under warranty. They used a grey silicone that the mechanic said would solve the oil leak. It did so. Later models probably had this done at the factory.

I doubt that the factory uses silicone sealant in place of an actual lipped seal. I think the mechanic fixed the problem for now but got paid for a seal replacement by the factory. I would have asked to see the factory authorization for
the use of a silicone seal instead of a factory seal.

Cynical

 

[ScorpioArtist]

I doubt that the factory uses silicone sealant in place of an actual lipped seal. I think the mechanic fixed the problem for now but got paid for a seal replacement by the factory. I would have asked to see the factory authorization for
the use of a silicone seal instead of a factory seal.

Cynical

It was maybe 60,000 miles and 7 years ago. I think I cornered him outside the dealership workshop area and he said put on a better seal. I think he said or showed me some grey silicone sealant. Well - whatever he did or used the burning oil smell stopped and it never leaked again. My problem now is 88,000 miles and nine years on a timing belt. The former dealer in Lancaster, Ca. gave me a written estimate for replacement of Timing Belt, Auxiliary Belt, Water Pump and the two belt adjusters at $3380.09. I am serious. And

Kelly Bluebook says as a trade in its maybe $4,000-ish

 

[Cynical]

It was maybe 60,000 miles and 7 years ago. I think I cornered him outside the dealership workshop area and he said put on a better seal. I think he said or showed me some grey silicone sealant. Well - whatever he did or used the burning oil smell stopped and it never leaked again. My problem now is 88,000 miles and nine years on a timing belt. The former dealer in Lancaster, Ca. gave me a written estimate for replacement of Timing Belt, Auxiliary Belt, Water Pump and the two belt adjusters at $3380.09. I am serious. And View attachment 109687 Kelly Bluebook says as a trade in its maybe $4,000-ish

I say run it until it drops. Or trade it in on something newer. I will never put money into a losing situation. If you repair the car it is still only worth $4000.00 and you can not recover any portion of your repair costs.
Let me know how this works out.

Cynical

 

[Beth Andrews]

I think 150,000 miles is called for in the manual, but I've read posts on this forum with people doing it early as around 80K

I wouldn't wait. Mine just went at 136,000. I thought I could wait till 150,000.

 

[Fabio13]

If your belt "went" and broke then valves would have hit the piston tops and your engine is pretty much totaled. This is an interference engine like most modern cars.

Or did the mechanic just say it's worn and cracked?

 

[ScorpioArtist]

I had my new 2012 rear engine seal replaced under warranty. They used a grey silicone that the mechanic said would solve the oil leak. It did so. Later models probably had this done at the factory.

I also had my 2012 leaking rear seal replaced under warranty and the mechanic showed me the grey silicon he used.

 

[ScorpioArtist]

I wouldn't wait. Mine just went at 136,000. I thought I could wait till 150,000.

I just had the timing belt/serpentine belt both tensioners and the water pump changed at 90,000 and nine years old. No cracking on either but good to have it done and not worry.

 

[Eduardos Fiat 500]

I just had the timing belt/serpentine belt both tensioners and the water pump changed at 90,000 and nine years old. No cracking on either but good to have it done and not worry.

Hello, How much did it cost your to replace belt, water pump and tensioners? parts and labor.

 

[Slow_Lane]

Wow. I only realized that my 2015 Fiat 500 had a timing belt after I purchased it earlier this week. Being 7 years old with 80,000 kms or 50,000 miles I was sure I would be faced with and immediate replacement job. I was shocked and relieved to see manual recommends replacement only after 150,000 miles or 15 years.

I wonder if running in cold Montreal winters would mean I should early up the replacement?

I see previous poster got an estimate of $3300.00. How can that be possible. What is the normal cost of timing belt replacement on these cars?

Thanks again

 

[Fabio13]

$1400 at a dealer isn’t uncommon.

 

[Slow_Lane]

I would use my independent mechanic. I was expecting $600 unless there is something unique about doing it on this car.