Abarth Timing Belt and Water Pump in my garage. How hard is it?

Watch me change a timing belt and water pump on my fiat 500 Abarth. I have no formal mechanic training but I like to figure things out. With the tech data from Alldatadiy.com I was able to do a proper job.
Below is a list of parts and tools you will need to buy. Please use these links so I can keep making these videos.
Required Tools and Parts
Timing Tool: amzn.to/3a2UfN5
Sprocket wrench: amzn.to/3cUbW2Q
Timing belt and water pump kit: amzn.to/31PGHA0
Water pump RTV (Gasket Maker): amzn.to/3cSRdNa
Fiat 500 Abarth Vacuum Pump Seal: MOPAR PN# 68140726AC
3-Ton Low Profile Floor Jack: amzn.to/31Qf0H2
Jack Stands: amzn.to/3cPPpnU
Torx Sockets: amzn.to/2Re7ZxX
2012 Fiat 500 Abarth Coolant: amzn.to/3fJTAUn
Recommended Tools and Parts
Airlift coolant filling tool: amzn.to/3mqfZHE
Air compressor: amzn.to/3dHj8yR
Rhino Ramps (2 Sets are helpful): amzn.to/3dBi8vR

[@AngelaJohnson-dv8fj]

I own two Abarth. This video was well done. Thanks for the detailed instructions.

[@wheelsthings1756]

Thanks for watching. Glad you like the car enough to own two.

[@johnkeyser5127]

Thanks for sharing your experience! Nicely done!

[@mr2981]

I really like your Abarth videos.

[@planetchain]

Wow! Brother, you put in some work. Great job :)

[@wheelsthings1756]

Thanks.

[@stevenraeburn8178]

Brilliant video

[@qfx125]

Looks easy that I think I’ll take mine to a mechanic

[@yumoyackwcheese]

Thank you so much for making this video. its almost time for a new belt on my abarth. your video was very informative. i feel more confident about taking on this job now.

[@ericpohlman5131]

Yes. When I removed the front end of my Abarth, I ripped the right side fog light wires.

[@drack6981]

one heck of a weekend project

[@wheelsthings1756]

Yep, that's why it took longer than a weekend. I should have known better.

[@bligo2387]

Mime came with a gasket for the pump too. Any leaks with just the rtv? I've read everywhere to ditch the gasket too.

[@williamhawkins3766]

Were you required to remove the engine flex mount from under the vehicle or just the passenger side motor mount?

[@snapshot8006]

I am about to start this procedure on a 2012 fiat 500 1.4 na and notice the a/c pipe is directly above the timing belt cover ..my question is Can this timing belt / water pump procedure be done without disconnecting the a/c ?

[@FoundAGarage]

Nice video! I don’t own one but am considering. I DIY so want to know what I’d be getting myself into. An alternator replacement looks like a bear too… lower passenger side corner inside frame rail. Eek. I wonder how difficult full engine removal is? Like to the point you could’ve done this + everything else all at once. But always easier said than done lol

[@wheelsthings1756]

Yea. I know that a clutch replacement requires the ac system to be drained and recharged so at some level I think to tools required would be pretty expensive for diy. It’s a pretty tightly packed engine bay so having lots of sockets and wrenches is a must.

[@FoundAGarage]

@@wheelsthings1756 That’s wild to me that an AC line or the compressor itself would be in the way for clutch replacement. Jeez. But hey new projects are always an excuse to grow the tool collection! Haha. Hope you keep the car going - best of luck on the next project

[@Iowa599]

Once the tensioner is loose you should have been able to turn the camshaft directly, from above the engine.

[@gabrielbaum9660]

thank you for the great video im about to do this on my Jeep Renegade 1.4 multiair, why do you have to undo the bolt of the camshaft pully? if you mark it before you remove the belt then it shouldn't be necessary... the plate on the otherside should be enough to keep it in place, you lock the crankshaft and fit the belt then you tension the tensioner and turn the engine twice clockwise and double check that the tension is in place and the camshaft aligns with the mark you did prior to removal....

[@wheelsthings1756]

So there’s some discussion on whether you need to loosen the camshaft bolt. I did it because the repair manual says to. However others have done it successfully without doing so. I think its better to do it just to compensate for variations in the belt and tensioner.

[@jledonne8n8f]

I see this is an old post, but I'm looking for any insight. As I understand it, the old belt may be stretched and if you don't loosen the cam pulley, the new belt, when tensioned, will place a pre-load on the cam. When you remove the locking tools, the cam will rotate ever so slightly relative to the crank and the timing will be off. Someone on the Jeep Renegade forum did his and the engine set a code and went into limp mode (it did not do damage). Need to do mine soon and interested in hearing how it went for others.

[@stoneytony8844]

Are the tools the same for the 2015 500 sport procedure?

[@eviltango]

thank goodness! I thought the engine has to come out for that lol

[@Waltkat]

Some great info here, thanks. So if one is replacing the timing belt only and not the water pump, then draining the coolant would not be necessary. Is this correct?

[@wheelsthings1756]

Correct. However I’m pretty sure it’s always considered best practice to change out the water pump while you’re in there.

[@lawrenceleible3670]

Its so you can pull the slack out of your timing belt.

[@eduardoduarte232]

Great info. I have a 2012 Fiat 500 Sport with 72K miles, should I replace the timing belt and of course water pump? Do you think is as difficult to replace it? thank you.

[@wheelsthings1756]

If you have the proper tools it’s not too hard. But be prepared for it to take at least 2 or 3 times longer than what a shop would quote you. I always forget that it takes a long time to figure out how things come apart and go back together the first time. I could probably do it twice as fast now that I know how. Also. I wouldn’t recommend it if this is your primary mode of transport. Only if it’s a hobby car in case something goes wrong or you get stuck waiting for parts.

[@hersachin]

Great

[@wheelsthings1756]

Thanks!

[@robertcastoro2012]

Hi! Love your video! I have a 2012 non-turbo Fiat 500 Sport. I am thinking about having the timing belt and water pump service e done. The car is 11 years old with 113000 miles. How many miles were on your Abarth when you did your service. Based on another one of your videos I believe it was 165,000? The manual calls for the service at 150,000 or 15 years. Based on your experience, would you advise me to do the service at 113,000? I drive about 6,000 miles a year. Thanks!

[@joshuamckinney2687]

Hey Robert. I’m obviously not a mechanic but timing belt and water pump is definitely preventative maintenance. They could last for the life of the car but replacement is recommended because the consequence for failure is a ruined engine. You are correct the car had about 165000 miles. I didn’t know if the service had ever been done so I decided to do it.

[@divergentone]

did you have instructions for removing the accessory belt? I purchased the AllData manual and it just states remove and install, even on the specific link to instructions to remove and install.

[@wheelsthings1756]

The accessory belt is simple but it’s a pain. Get the longest box wrench you can find, put it on the tensioner and twist in the direction that backs the tensioner away from the belt. It’ll be tough but it’s doable.

[@snapshot8006]

How did you get the second motor mount out? I have all the bolts out and it is loose but no matter how high or low I jack up the motor..no clearance...did you have to remove the very bottom mount as well? My 1.4 does not want to jack up high enough..???

[@wheelsthings1756]

I assume you’re talking about the passenger side mount? There are slots in the frame opposite the mount that allow the bolts to be completely removed.

[@FabioKastro]

What's the point in loosening the cam shaft gear, that can only be done with the engine locked and most mechanics do not do that, they mark a few spots and make sure everything lines up at the end.

[@wheelsthings1756]

It seems that some folks do it and others don’t. The repair manual said to do it so I did.

[@icebreaka1969]

fuel tank has vacuum instead of pressure, so it is not necessary to release "pressure", if your fuel tank has pressure, that means something wrong with your EVAP system.

[@easyrider788]

How did you get the bracket out for the motor mount? You say you struggled with it and I too am struggling. I can't jack up or down enough to get every bolt out. But either way, it wont come out because of the stud on the bottom. The frame is in the way and the stud seems way too long to actually get it out at all.

[@1amPain]

I've got the same problem. Everybody says they struggled with it but nobody says how they got it out. I was able to get all the bolts out, I even got the mount off the stud. Now it just wiggles around but WILL NOT come out.

[@renzocarrion1698]

Lift the engine a bit

[@toolsonabudget7763]

dam too bad im not your neighbor haha i can do these in like 2 hours off and on

[@3xl382]

It seems like a time-consuming project! Maybe I should just pay a mechanic to do it for me.

[@wheelsthings1756]

Yep, if you’re time is valuable it’s probably worth having a shop do it. Especially if you don’t have a good set of tools already. The coolant flush takes some time as well even with the airlift tool. You could probably do it in a day if you have all the tools and parts handy.

[@josephbingham1255]

And tricky to do. I had mine done by the Alfa Romeo/Maserati dealer. Timing and serpentine belts both tensioners and the water pump. Nine year old belts at 90,000 were fine. But worth it to have piece of mind. Note: original timing belt had Chrysler logos and said made in Argentina. Gates has a factory listed there on their website.

[@josephbingham1255]

My 2012 Fiat 500c just had Timing Belt/Serpentine Belt/both tensioners and the Water Pump changed. Mileage was 90,000 at nine years. No cracking on either belt. The slightest wobble on the water pump bearing. The work was done professionally at an Alfa Romeo/Maserati Dealer in the San Fernando Valley. The cost was 1/2 what a defunct dealer in the Antelope Valley quoted me. Note: original timing belt had Chrysler logos and said made in Argentina. Gates has a factory listed there on their website.

[@wheelsthings1756]

Yep. It doesn’t sound like people have had issues with either the water pump or timing belt going bad. But you don’t know until you check. Edit: And since this is my DD, I really don’t want to get stranded on my way to work.

[@Iowa599]

You should remove all rings (on your fingers) when working on cars, for safety. Not only smashing, but shorting (electrically)!

[@wheelsthings1756]

Good advice. My ring is silicon so probably less dangerous than metal but it probably would be best to take it off anyway. It would keep it from getting greasy too.

[@isaillis]

seems a lot of know how and work to change a timing belt not sure if any mechanic unless those who had done one can tackle that easily???

[@hestonpfheffer1299]

That's why you go to a specialist

[@mikeriv60]

Seems like a lot of work, what would the dealer charge for this. ?

[@wheelsthings1756]

I got quoted $800 at an independent shop. I'm sure the dealer would cost more $$$.

[@mikeriv60]

@@wheelsthings1756 Thanks

[@adriannewman1322]

I did this on my sister in laws abarth this is a pain in the ass cause there's hardly any room. Her water pump was leaking real bad

[@wheelsthings1756]

Yep. Certainly hard to work on this car with the tight packaging.

[@ExorcistRecords]

Pain in the A$$. But it's possible 😅

[@jamesd.9955]

Thinking about buying a used Abarth. If the timing belt has been done, awesome. If not, maybe ill buy a Civic 😊

[@quintontim]

you need to get soem better tools my man. so much struggle could have be easily avoided.

[@barronmortvedt5584]

The worst brand available GMB