[Jaaps]

My German manual states the same service interval as the British. I have two older Fiats (1998 and 1999) with interference engines also, though they are DOHC and have some more power. For these cars the service interval for all the belts is 5 years only. These cars are well documented with a lot of enthousiast clubs. One of the two main reasons for engine failure on these cars is that one of the auxiliary belts snaps and then hits the timing belt. As a result the timing belt snaps or skips a few teeth and the valves smash the pistons. So most owners change every 5 years even though it's costly / time consuming, the engine has to be partly removed. What I don't know if the design of the 124 is better so an issue with the aux belt won't damage the cambelt. And a reason for the aux belt to snap is oil dripping on it for a long time, chances for a 5 year old car that this happens is much smaller than for a 25-30 year old car. So concluding for the 124: I will replace every 6 to 7 years.

I found this by the way:
Timing Belt Failure! | Dodge Dart Forum (dodge-dart.org)
My 124 is not at home at the moment so can't check if it's exactly the same engine. The engine has been in lots of cars I would expect (Fiat Bravo, Lancia Delta, Alfa Guiliette, Fiat 500), some googling doesn't lead to horror stories.

 

[Kentsmudger]

Conditions must be better in the UK....LOL....Weird.

Or worse, considering they do the belt change sooner here ...

 

[napastar]

.... No worries. And don't forget you can buy a 3 year service package for £499 in the UK at your local Fiat dealer. I had year 2, 3 and 4 service pack completed without issues. I've now purchased the next service pack for services at year 5, year 6 and year 7.
Years 5 and 7 are basically oil and filter.
Year 6 is..... Spark Plugs, oil, oil filter, brake fluid, transmission oil, timing and auxiliary belts. Cost wise it's an absolute no-brainer.

Thanks Arthur. That sounds like a great deal. I've got similar package for my wife's Polo GTI but its not as comprehensive. Although I've already changed the Transmission oil and got the spark plugs I would still e a on the right side of the deal. To be fair I'm not an advocate of Fiat dealerships as I've had a number pf poor experiences - after 2 attempts they failed to fix my sagging roof lining, had not heard of FL22 coolant, tried to charge me twice the Mazda price for a window regulator ( with a 2 week parts delivery - the list goes on) but I'd hope they wouldn't screw up routine servicing. I'll contact them on Monday to confirm a price

 

[SpagWagonsScot]

Just checked my owner's manual as my car will be 6 years old this year and has done 45k miles. It recommends the timing belt be replaced at 150000 miles (seems high in my experience of other manufacturers replacement schedule) or 15 years (seems completely unbelievable when you consider its principally made of perishable rubber or is it made of some high tech material such as Kevlar?)

I'd appreciate the opinions of other 124 enthusiasts as I don't want to take unnecessary risks with what I believe is an inference engine? but contrary to this, I don't want to spend money unnecessarily when it could be spent on upgrades etc

I have a Timing Belt and Water Pump change due in November when the A124 will be 6 years old. My friend's indie garage will do the labour, and I'll buy the parts from TMC Motorsport in Belfast. Arthur's Service Plan is a great idea if you have a competent Dealer.... Unfortunately mine could not even get spark plugs ordered on time for my 3rd year service. The last two have been at my friend's garage, I know what they've done, the parts are genuine, the price is reasonable.

 

[Arthur]

As in all things in life, results can be varied !!! I just happen to have a decent family run Fiat franchised dealer 20 miles from home. I've been using them for 12+ years on both my 124 and my wife's 500. Never had an issue with that dealer. The same cannot be said about a national main dealer I once used..... NEVER again !!!!

 

[Nordamericano]

Given the current rate of annual miles added to my Abarth it's going take 16 to 18 years just to reach to reach the 70k mark on the clock. So I'm thinking the 5 - 6 year interval is a good target date for replacing the timing belt.

 

[patchelect]

Wimps all. My 1972 Fiat 124 Spider needed belt replacement every 30K miles IIRC. In 100K miles it would have been replaced 3 times!

As a comparo, my 2002 Miata calls for every 100K for replacement I believe, but not being an interference engine one can live on the wild side!

 

[Augerhandle]

Yeah, I sold my 2003 MX-5 at 120,000 miles, and the buyer asked if I changed the belt. I told him it didn't break, so I didn't change it.

 

[LawsonGibbles]

Just checked my owner's manual as my car will be 6 years old this year and has done 45k miles. It recommends the timing belt be replaced at 150000 miles (seems high in my experience of other manufacturers replacement schedule) or 15 years (seems completely unbelievable when you consider its principally made of perishable rubber or is it made of some high tech material such as Kevlar?)

I'd appreciate the opinions of other 124 enthusiasts as I don't want to take unnecessary risks with what I believe is an inference engine? but contrary to this, I don't want to spend money unnecessarily when it could be spent on upgrades etc

Funny you should mention it because I’ve just booked my 4th year service and the timing belt/water pump/engine coolant are getting done as part of that. What the UK manual actually sais is that for dusty areas or demanding use replacement at 4 years or 60,000 km whichever comes sooner is recommended. Things are quite harsh up here in the frozen wastelands of northern Scotland so don’t want to take any chances on a snapped belt.

Getting transmission fluid and new plugs done on top of standard 4 year service stuff because I want to keep things tip top.

All in with MOT I’ve been quoted £800 (incl. VAT).

 

[LawsonGibbles]

.... No worries. And don't forget you can buy a 3 year service package for £499 in the UK at your local Fiat dealer. I had year 2, 3 and 4 service pack completed without issues. I've now purchased the next service pack for services at year 5, year 6 and year 7.
Years 5 and 7 are basically oil and filter.
Year 6 is..... Spark Plugs, oil, oil filter, brake fluid, transmission oil, timing and auxiliary belts. Cost wise it's an absolute no-brainer.

Really? How do you go about it Arthur just ring up the dealer…

 

[Arthur]

Really? How do you go about it Arthur just ring up the dealer…

Go in person is best. Next 3 services, regardless of what they are. All inclusive as per the schedule for £499. Car must be less than 100,000 miles and less than 5 years old.

 

[napastar]

Blimey Arthur! you must know how to bargain. Granted I did call Stoneacre rather than go in person and was put through to the nearest local Dealer and was quoted £1629 for 3 services - year 6 ,7 and 8. Essentially the cam and aux belts, spark plugs, air filter, brake fluid etc and 2 oil and filter services. I know my car is coming up for 6 years old, but they must be charging £130 an hour if not more. Certainly an offer I can and will be refusing. LOL

 

[Arthur]

I did not have to haggle or bargain...... this is Fiat/Mopar product supplied to the dealer for Fiat owners whose cars are under 5 years old. I guess Stoneacre don't want to provide the product ?...... perhaps try another dealer ?

 

[Home built camper Dave]

Modern EDPM belts are pretty amazing. But I’m going to change mine closer to 100k. I spotted that 150k in the USA book. Yeah that’s too long for me.

 

[rieg1]

I have a 1985 Pininfarina Azzurra (Fiat 124) replaced the timing belt last year at 75,000 miles. The belt looked great no cracks or missing parts. Who knows if belts were made better back then or now. I also have a 2017 Abarth 124 guess which one I drive the most.

 

[LawsonGibbles]

I did not have to haggle or bargain...... this is Fiat/Mopar product supplied to the dealer for Fiat owners whose cars are under 5 years old. I guess Stoneacre don't want to provide the product ?...... perhaps try another dealer ?
View attachment 91752

😂 bloody hellfire I’ve got an office in Newport. If I buy it from LC motors I can go to any fiat dealer with it right Arthur?

 

[Arthur]

Not sure if the deal covers Abarth ? (It's a seperate brand in the UK). I use LC Motors Fiat, Newport. Ask for Gianni, tell him Mr Rowlands sent you (Silver 124). Your car must be under 5 years old. I don't think it's transferrable so you'll need to LC Motors to do the work. Let me know how it goes 👍

 

[SteveP.]

I have a 1985 Pininfarina Azzurra (Fiat 124) replaced the timing belt last year at 75,000 miles. The belt looked great no cracks or missing parts. Who knows if belts were made better back then or now. I also have a 2017 Abarth 124 guess which one I drive the most.

Hi @rieg1 , I'm thinking that, yes, the belts are made of better material today - but . . . I had a '71 124 Spider, and went to work as a mechanic with the local Fiat dealer in '72. We were recommending replacing the timing belt in all Fiats at 24 months or 25k miles, whichever comes first, for good reason. As I remember, by 30k miles cars were coming in with bent valves or worse. If the belt failed on startup - usually teeth were ripped of at the crank gear - the repair wasn't usually too bad. We replaced valves, guides and seals. Pistons were usually ok. But if the belt failed at speed, well . . . it was what we call "a catastrophic failure". s

 

[rieg1]

Hey Steve I bought the car when it was five years old and 50,000 miles on the clock a caved in oil pan and a broken off oil pump. I fixed all that and put new bearings in just in case. Turns out it was a great buy at 2500 bucks it's worth ten times that now and I've enjoyed every mile. As for the timing belt I am glad I changed it. As for the 2017 I would like to trade it for one with less miles and more options so no worries about the timing belt on that one.

 

[SteveP.]

Hey Steve I bought the car when it was five years old and 50,000 miles on the clock a caved in oil pan and a broken off oil pump. I fixed all that and put new bearings in just in case. Turns out it was a great buy at 2500 bucks it's worth ten times that now and I've enjoyed every mile. As for the timing belt I am glad I changed it. As for the 2017 I would like to trade it for one with less miles and more options so no worries about the timing belt on that one.

Hi @rieg1 , very familiar with the "caved in oil pan and broken off oil pump" scenario! At about 22 years old, my interests were not limited to English and Italian sports cars. I was driving my '71 across a parking lot when a really beautiful young woman in a short skirt and tight blouse caught my eye. No, wasn't watching where I was going, my eyes were fixed on a pair of exquisite legs. Crash, hit a curb head on, and collapsed that low slung oil pan. I had my car towed back to the shop, epoxied the broken off piece of engine block, managed to get a new oil pump screwed on with some slightly longer bolts as I recall, and a new oil pan also helped secure things. I drove the car another couple of years before I traded it in on a new 124 Sport Coupe. 😀 Best, s. P.S.: Very nice that you have a Classic 124 Spider that is serving you well, as well as a modern 124 Spider. 👍 Happy Spidering!