Fiat Bravo Quiz
Engine

Remove, install and tension the timing belt

In this manual: Engine
Dear Reader — 1Engine — 35Engine lubrication — 3Engine cooling — 10Ignition/spark plugs — 14Fuel system — 10Petrol fuel injection — 13Diesel injection system — 13Exhaust system — 7Clutch — 7Transmission / Gearshift / Automatic Transmission — 5Front Axle — 11Rear axle — 4Steering — 9Wheel alignment — 1Brake system — 22Wheels and tyres — 10Body — 34Heating — 6Electrical system — 39Lighting system — 14Instruments — 7Windscreen wiper system — 8Vehicle care / tools — 6Jump Starting / Towing the Vehicle — 3Jacking up the vehicle — 1Fiat Bravo / Brava Maintenance Schedule — 1Maintenance — 38Wiring diagrams — 5
3steps
~18min
2/5difficulty
Done 0 of 3

General notes

  • On all engines, the timing belt tension is kept constant by automatic belt tensioners. Therefore, only a basic adjustment is required after the timing belt has been installed.

  • With the timing belt removed, do not turn the crankshaft or camshaft, otherwise open valves may strike the pistons and be damaged. If the camshaft must be turned through a large angle, make sure that no piston is at top dead centre (TDC), otherwise valves or pistons may be damaged. If necessary, set the crankshaft approx. 90° (1/4 turn) before or after TDC. However, do not turn the pulley more than 90° in total.

  • A Fiat tool is required to tension the timing belt tensioner roller on the 1.6 L engine. Depending on the engine, Fiat tools are also required to lock the camshaft(s) in the TDC position. If these tools are not available, before removing the timing belt, with the engine at TDC, make a mark across the camshaft gear and cylinder head and another mark across the crankshaft pulley and engine block. On petrol engines from 1.6 i displacement, there are 2 camshafts, so both camshaft gears must be marked.

    After the timing belt has been tensioned, all TDC marks must be checked again for simultaneous alignment. If this is not the case, the engine must not be started. Otherwise, severe engine damage may result as open valves strike the pistons. If one or more marks do not align, remove the timing belt again and repeat the complete installation and tensioning procedure.

  • If the timing belt is to be reused, mark the direction of rotation with an arrow, as it must be reinstalled with the same direction of rotation. Arrows are usually already applied as standard. Viewed from the right side of the vehicle, the engines rotate clockwise.

    Caution: do not kink the timing belt sharply, otherwise it will tear later, resulting in severe engine damage.

  • Before removing the timing belt, the engine must be turned to TDC. The engine (crankshaft) can be turned in several ways:

  1. Raise the front of the vehicle on the side. Engage fifth gear and apply the parking brake. Turn the raised front wheel. This also turns the engine crankshaft.

    An assistant is required to turn the wheel.

  2. Park the vehicle on a level surface. Engage fifth gear.

    Push the vehicle forward, or have it pushed forward.

  3. Turn the crankshaft at the centre bolt of the crankshaft pulley. Beforehand, place the transmission in neutral and apply the parking brake.

Caution: do not turn the engine at the camshaft gear fastening bolt. This overloads the timing belt.

Caution: on the 2.0 L engine, the timing belt cannot be removed and installed in the vehicle because there is not enough space between the belt cover and the body. The entire engine must therefore be removed first. It is recommended that this extensive work be carried out by a specialist workshop.

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