Fiat Punto Cambelt

[erimus1]

Hi, Bought a little Fiat Punto 55 for my nephew. It had a couple of things that needed doing to it. Got a garage to fit new CV joint, rear backbox, and a water pump.

They replaced the timing belt for a new one I drove it about 100 miles and the engine cut out. When I looked I could see that the cambelt cover was not secure and that the cambelt had not snapped, but had come off.

Can anyone please tell me what the damage to the engine is likely to be - I know that some are usually completely knackered, some can be fine, and others, its just a chance either way.

Many thanks,
Steve

[Toureman]

HI,

It depends on whether your engine is 8 valve or 16 valve or whether the valves "overlap" when operating what amount of damage could have been done.

Surely the garage that did the faulty repairs should be liable to repair your car anyway.

[erimus1]

Hi, believe it is the 8v engine 1100.

Gave the garage owner a coupld of calls about it but he failed to call me back. Wrote a letter telling him that I wanted money for the whole car by return - funny how writing "Without Prejudice" at the top of the letter gets an imediate resonse. He has another two days before I issue court proceedings - that's my preferable option as I have bought my nephew another car now.
Cheers,
Steve

[Toureman]

Well done Steve, As the engine is 8 Valve there is probably no damage but it is a skilled job to put the belt back on, needs timing.

[erimus1]

Thanks very much toureman - Might get a different mechanic to put it back on.
Cheers,
Steve

[Her Bruce]

Hi Eremus,

There won't be any damage, these cambelts are a piece of cake to put on, less than 30mins ! just put the crank and cam pulley at TDC slacken the tensioner, fit the belt, re- tension up and 'way to go'.

[adam1986uk]

Hey, iv recently done the head gasket on a N reg punto 55 1.1.... i put a new cambelt on it while i was at it lining both the marks up on the bottom end crank and the crank on the cams.. sounds healthy enough when turning over but just doesnt seem to want to fire?!? maybe its plugs or fuel but there was nothing wrong with the leads before :S