I’m over 60k miles & 9 years old… time for a timing belt change?
I want this car to last forever. It’s a 2017 Abarth 500 USA with about 62,000 miles on it now, and based on all the research I’ve been doing, it seems like I’m getting close to timing belt service territory.
The timing belt itself doesn’t seem expensive, but the actual job looks very complicated from the videos I’ve watched. Compared to other cars, it seems like on the Abarth they have to take apart half the engine bay just to access it.
Is this something a normal mechanic can realistically handle, or should I specifically look for a Fiat/Euro specialist?
I’d prefer to have a Fiat dealership do it, but I’m worried they might give me issues because I have aftermarket parts installed like:
- MADNESS cold air intake
- Blow off valve adapter
Has anyone here gotten their timing belt changed yet?
How expensive was it?
Was the process complicated?
Can an average mechanic handle it properly on the 500 Abarth?
One thing I’ve noticed with my car is that a lot of mechanics who’ve worked on it clearly don’t have much actual Abarth experience. They usually spend time figuring out where parts are located or how to access things, and it feels more like they’re relying on general mechanic knowledge rather than knowing these cars specifically.
Summary:
- 2017 Abarth with 62k miles and approaching timing belt service
- Timing belt looks inexpensive, but labor appears complicated
- Concerned about whether regular mechanics can properly do the job
- Unsure if dealership will work on modified car
- Looking for real owner experiences on cost, difficulty, and mechanic recommendations