Ducato 8140.27 Cambelt

Hi All,
Anyone undertake the replacement of the timing belt?
Can it be done on the drive?
How do you tension?
I have read that the pulley can be jammed with a pin at the back to remove the bolt with a breaker bar, cover should come off easy enough and there is no need to remove the engine mount?

Any help is brilliant = thanks

I`ve been quoted £250 including the water pump on a 2.8
apparently it`s wise to do both at the same time

You never change a Ducato water pump unless it's rattley or leaking , so says FIAT tech guys . Which is unlike almost every other engine . Probably because the pump only became driven by the T/B on the newer 2.3/3.0 . I have been working on them from mid 80's models up to new ones , and in over 10 years have only had a single failed water pump .

Hessy... It's doable on a drive but awkward.
Definitely no need to remove engine mounts . However , on a pre '94 , it's easier if the forward facing suspension arm/brake reaction arm is removed .

You'll need a 35mm spanner/socket for the bottom pulley .

The tensioner is pushed out against the belt by a simple spring , and you lock the tensioner in place once you are happy the belt is taut enough , it doesn't spring against the belt in use , unlike the 2.3/3.0 .

I always use Gates/Dayco/OE kits , there's the belt and 2 plain rollers , one for the idler , one for the tensioner , different diameters IIRC on your engine . Yours should be Gates K015335XS , if it's the '91 onwards engine , I have found a different belt on some earlier engines which had shallower teeth on the belt and pulleys . I always wrap the new belt around a cam pulley to be sure it's right .
as an aside , it's 5334 XS for 2.5 non turbo and 2.8 jtd , and 5495XS for a 2.8 idTD.

I don't recall a locking pin for the crank on those , think that only came in on the '95 model . you can get into the teeth for the starter ring gear though , near the inner RHS CV joint , and wedge it there to open the bottom pulley.
There is a place for a small bolt/pin to lock into the lower timing cover , but I don't think it's stand upto the power needed to open the bolt. I think it's really as a TDC mark.

You lock the Injector pump pulley in place with a 5mm bolt , about 50mm long , through a hole in the pulley . I'm struggling to recall , I think you can lock the cam pulley too , with a similar method , using an 8mm bolt . Though there;s hardly need , as there are clear timing marks for it on the pulley and the top of the rocker cover .

make sure when the old belt is off that the tensioner isn't seized or tight on it's pivot . You shouldn't have to loosen the pivot bolt to move it , only the locking bolt .

I must have done a hundred of these......

I would tackle a lot of stuff, but never a timing belt to me that's for experts.

Depends on the model and camper, some are 5 years or so many miles, my own present one is 9 years according the manual.

Tristian - Wow -wonderful information and gives me confidence in undertaking although Jack is 100% as you know your stuff

Apologies for delay as was away from PC till now

Hessy's timing belt was replaced 30Km ago - but that was 6 years ago and i am aware of rubber degradation over time and i wouldnt want to leave to chance - I have got a "Gates" Belt to replace the otehr and will replace the Pulleys the next time around (maybe another 30Km or 6 years) - god willing she goes that long for me.

I wasnt to chance the water pump as i read it was a horror story or removing the engine nearly to get at it properly.

We got it done - 3 hours, no need for the engine mounts to be taken off, just the alternator belt and nothing too difficult according to the awesome Gormleys Garage Mechanic

The old belt was in quite good knick - no cracking and the ribs all with good depth.

We flew up the motorway with the smell of a settling in to place belt on the front.

It was a wonderful job done - and the piece of mind when driving to Cork and through France now is worth every penny spent.

As an observer of the changeover - it dosent seem too bad - but i know it would take me a day instead of 3 hours

Big Thanks Gormleys

Does anyone know if I need to get the Cam belt or timing belt changed? I'm a novice in these things are the 2 the same? My motorhome is a Renault 2.5 tdi. I got a note from Renault last year about it but was asking if it needed to be done? I've only got 13,000 miles on the clock and it's 7 years old.

Handy link indicating when you should change for your model (miles & months, whichever comes first): http://www.mytimingbelt.com/Default.aspx

Mine is coming up 48 months! if I am reading it right.

Good to know this - mine is due soon. Any recommendations for a reliable, dependable competent mechanic to do this in the North Antrim area ideally?

Reflexsean, that may be true but it's having the confidence to tackle it is my problem.

Very true John, some dealerships have dropped their prices and can be as cheap as some mechanics, I was quoted the same price for a Audi A6 belt by both, I went for the main dealer because I would have a comeback if anything went wrong.