Fiat 2.3 diesel engine

What is the manufacturer's recommendation?

Probably OK mileage wise but for peace of mind I would change a six year old cam belt as the alternative could be prohibitively expensive.

Every five years,  bear in mind that the belt has been on the engine longer whilst the vehicle is being built.

Belts sit for long periods whilst not being used in one position, so can have stretch cracks around the teeth where the cam gears are in contact.  A delivery van belt has a better life because it is being flexed and used.

some local garages, although cheaper to use, may not have the specialist equipment to carry out the work. My local guys who tackle most things, said the could not afford the tools in relation to the number of x250s on their books.

Edit, advisable to renew the cam belt tensioners and water pump whilst working in that area,   

rgds

Last week 

Last year if it is the 130bhp like mine.

Check the manual and check whether it has been done if there was a former owner.

Fiat recommendation for my 2013 130bhp is 5 years. A Fiat dealer is asking just short of £900 including water pump [optional] to do mine. Two independent garages quote under £500 but without changing the water pump. All three use the Fiat kit which is available on ebay for c£120 [cannot say whether it is an original or counterfeit kit]. Labour is "a day's work" if the water pump is changed.

You may also be looking for new tyres soon!

Thks is everyone for the advice, the van is now at the dealers getting checked out,Penshaw, I will certainly keep an eye on the tyres.

I had mine serviced for the first time in January, that is 2 years old and the Fiat Pro dealer informed me that the next service in 2 years (total 4 yrs) they would do the cam belt!     That seems premature, my Volvo Cars are every 80,000 miles!

BillC

Vauxhall cam belts are/were 4yrs or 40k miles