Fiat Brava / Bravo cambelt tensioner

Honest John Back Room » Technical matters
What is life like with your car? Let us know and win £500 in John Lewis vouchers | No thanks
View Threaded
Tue 8 Oct 2002 13:25
Fiat Brava / Bravo cambelt tensioner - Adam Going (Tune-Up)
Recently called out to a customer who had noticed a "rumbly" noise from cold on his 1.6 16v Bravo, 'S' Reg with 23,000.

Noise traced to cambelt tensioner, and subsequent investigation showed that the roller was running out of true due to the locating stud moving on it's mounting plate, which in turn had led to a damaged bearing. Fiat dealer admitted thay have done two others recently, both within normal replacement mileage.

HJ's Car-by-Car Breakdown advises cambelt / tensioner / rollers on all Brava/Bravo every 36,000 / 3 years, which from the above seems about right. Autodata (the standard Trade refference, based on manufacturer's information), however, say 72k / 6 years on all 1.4 and up to 2000 1.6,1.8,+ 2.0 changing to 72k / 5 years for 2001 1.6,1.8, + 2.0 with a "check and replace if necessary @ 36k.

Looks like yet another example of a manufacturer trying to maximise service intervals with owners bearing the risks. I strongly endorse HJ's advise therefore on these engines, with emphasis on the time interval, as the example qutoed was well inside on mileage. Incidentally, on all the Brava/Bravo engines a number of special tools are listed, and around 2.0 hrs dealer time.

Regards, Adam
Reply | Report as offensive | Link

From which small car to buy at which price point to the best UK-built cars, our Top 10s have the lot. Click now for your shortlist.

Unsure of what to buy? Our Top 10s are here to help you....