@Ionut M cam belt replacement. It is technically necessary so that the cam gear can realign with the new belt relative to the cam's timed/locked position so that all the slack can be where the tensioner is while the crank and cam stay fixed in exact timing. If any belt slack is left stuck between the crank and cam gears opposite the tensioner side with the timing locked with the tools, the belt tension will end up being too loose. If the crank and cam timing is left to float into position aligning with the new belt like how it has worked on every other cam belt I've ever done, I guess the relative crank/cam timing may not be exactly correct, besides the fact there are no timing marks anywhere, so the alignment tools are your timing marks. What I ultimately found in my particular case was that the cam gear was basically stuck on the cam even with the cam bolt removed, but the new belt also seemed to fit perfectly along that run without any problems with slack or having to force it too much, so I left well enough alone and did not try to free the cam gear from the cam in order to do it "properly". It is still running fine. I would still advise to have the tools and be ready to re-time the cam gear position for a belt change just in case. You could easily get completely lost on timing this engine if you try to wing it without the tools and it doesn't work out.
@Ionut M rough idle could be from a lot of things, including dirty/poor spray pattern fuel injectors, dirty MAF sensor or vacuum leak causing a lean condition, but improper cam timing could certainly do it also, especially on these engines where improper cam timing will offset the relative timing between the intake and exhaust valves. I have been messing with a Honda D series project where the crankshaft keyway is not in great shape, making it possible to install the cam belt gear with a couple degrees of error relative to the crank, and second time I put it together after swapping the oil pump it ran noticeably better and was overall more willing than before, but I think the cam timing is possibly a slight bit more retarded than before. That same engine I had it where the timing mark alignments put the belt just about perfectly between teeth of course, so had to pick one. Must have picked wrong, because it would barely run until I tried it half a tooth the other direction, so yes, engines can be quite sensitive to cam timing relative to crank position. Variable cam engines adjust cam position in closed loop control fashion, so any slight offset would be compensated by the cam position sensors as long as the position wheels are on the cam and not on the gears, but fixed cams and variable cams where the position wheel is keyed to the camshaft and doesn't have very tight tolerances could definitely run into that problem. If you can get the alignment tool and are reasonably comfortable with cam belt jobs, it was not a difficult job to deal with. The tool was like $40 USD online and worked well. I just built a cam gear holder with some flat bar steel stock and some thick carriage bolts to engage the cam gear webs to properly support the cam gear for torquing the bolt.
Todd Morrill I am genuinely impressed by your Google skills. Just from that link, I think I can track down some more on the Multi-Airs and hopefully I can get some FSM action for the Dodge/Fiat guys.
Hey@Todd Morrill and Kurtis Alix, I found this on eBay, just incase you haven't or for anyone else that might be looking for it. Laser 5934 Engine Timing Tool Kit - Alfa Romeo/Fiat Multiair.
Thanks for saving me from destroying the cam by torquing against the holding tool. Lol Just got done with this job successfully and this helped a lot.
@Ionut M cam belt replacement. It is technically necessary so that the cam gear can realign with the new belt relative to the cam's timed/locked position so that all the slack can be where the tensioner is while the crank and cam stay fixed in exact timing. If any belt slack is left stuck between the crank and cam gears opposite the tensioner side with the timing locked with the tools, the belt tension will end up being too loose. If the crank and cam timing is left to float into position aligning with the new belt like how it has worked on every other cam belt I've ever done, I guess the relative crank/cam timing may not be exactly correct, besides the fact there are no timing marks anywhere, so the alignment tools are your timing marks. What I ultimately found in my particular case was that the cam gear was basically stuck on the cam even with the cam bolt removed, but the new belt also seemed to fit perfectly along that run without any problems with slack or having to force it too much, so I left well enough alone and did not try to free the cam gear from the cam in order to do it "properly". It is still running fine. I would still advise to have the tools and be ready to re-time the cam gear position for a belt change just in case. You could easily get completely lost on timing this engine if you try to wing it without the tools and it doesn't work out.
@Ionut M rough idle could be from a lot of things, including dirty/poor spray pattern fuel injectors, dirty MAF sensor or vacuum leak causing a lean condition, but improper cam timing could certainly do it also, especially on these engines where improper cam timing will offset the relative timing between the intake and exhaust valves. I have been messing with a Honda D series project where the crankshaft keyway is not in great shape, making it possible to install the cam belt gear with a couple degrees of error relative to the crank, and second time I put it together after swapping the oil pump it ran noticeably better and was overall more willing than before, but I think the cam timing is possibly a slight bit more retarded than before. That same engine I had it where the timing mark alignments put the belt just about perfectly between teeth of course, so had to pick one. Must have picked wrong, because it would barely run until I tried it half a tooth the other direction, so yes, engines can be quite sensitive to cam timing relative to crank position. Variable cam engines adjust cam position in closed loop control fashion, so any slight offset would be compensated by the cam position sensors as long as the position wheels are on the cam and not on the gears, but fixed cams and variable cams where the position wheel is keyed to the camshaft and doesn't have very tight tolerances could definitely run into that problem. If you can get the alignment tool and are reasonably comfortable with cam belt jobs, it was not a difficult job to deal with. The tool was like $40 USD online and worked well. I just built a cam gear holder with some flat bar steel stock and some thick carriage bolts to engage the cam gear webs to properly support the cam gear for torquing the bolt.
Muchas gracias saludos de Mexicali México
Tool # is Laser 5934 Engine Timing Tool Kit - Alfa Romeo/Fiat Multiair.
does the cam alignment tool locate cylinder #1 and will it only align at one point
This video doesn't get enough recognition
Muy bueno soy de México me podrías decir a cómo va torqueado la cabeza de Fiat 500
what is the name of the tool that you hold the cam shaft gear with while tightening the bolt???
This was verry interesting! Could you also post the timing for the regular 1.4 turbo engine ( not the Multiair.. but the T-Jet)
?
good ol cecil
Hi do you know where can I get the timing tool set that you show
Is that 160 as in 160 thousand miles?
...you gotta believe.
Service manual eh? Any way a PDF might make its way to the community?
perhaps, see what I can find
found this in a google search
courses.chrysleracademy.com/MT201204/shell_popups/pdf/April%202012%20Ref-Book-4-2-12.pdf
Todd Morrill I am genuinely impressed by your Google skills. Just from that link, I think I can track down some more on the Multi-Airs and hopefully I can get some FSM action for the Dodge/Fiat guys.
where can i get that timing belt tool kit???
www.lasertools.co.uk/item.aspx?cat=1092&item=5250
this set is a better price, might want to email them and check before buying
www.forcetools-kepmar.eu/WT-2089-Engine-Timing-Tool-Set-Fiat-12-8V-14-16V
Hey@Todd Morrill and Kurtis Alix, I found this on eBay, just incase you haven't or for anyone else that might be looking for it. Laser 5934 Engine Timing Tool Kit - Alfa Romeo/Fiat Multiair.
Can this be done in the car?
YES.
thnx!