TIMING CHAIN SERVICE - 2004 ALFA 156 JTS

[ForzaSab]

Hey guys,

Well i'm biting the bullet and plan to book my car in to get the timing chain changed, btw is it a chain or belt?

What i want to know is what needs to be changed, roughly what it will cost me and where i should go and get it done on the southside of Brisbane.

I dont want to go to Alfa (Euromarque) in the Valley as i've been stung by them before.

[hammer]

Last time I had mine done - June last year - it was by Superior Automotive at Albion. The timing belt kit was about $250, the balance belt about $200 and there was a few hour labour. Don't expect to walk away with much change out of $800.

Check out Automotive at Albion. Cameron, one of the partners in the business, is a club member and they have a good little set up servicing and repairing Alfas, Ferraris, etc.

Cheers,

Brent

[ForzaSab]

Got a quote from an Alfa mechanic on the southside for $1300+!!!!
The other was APF motors at Boondall for $800 plus an extra $180 if he needs to change the water pump, he said a car with my mileage (65000kms) he would expect to be changing it.
I also get the selespeed re-calibrated too!
I wont say the name of the mechanic so i don't incriminate him, pm me if you want to know.

[hammer]

It sounds as though you have it sorted. I hope it goes well.

Cheers,

Brent

[andrew_g271]

Just for your information:

Cost of parts are RRP from reputable spare parts dealer in Australia.

JTS Timing Belt Kit RRP $497.20
(Includes Timming Belt, Tensioner, Guide Wheel, Balance Belt, Balance Belt Tensioner)

extras

Rocker Gasket $76.00
Water Pump $116.00 Fitted
Aux Belt $55.00
Aux Belt Tensioner $143.00
Aux Belt Pulley $160.00

Approx Change time 5hrs -  + 1hr for water pump (excluding service eg oil, filt)

These prices can all be obtained by ringing the main supplier of parts in Australia.  People should be aware that there is no point just changing the belts and not the tensioners, as most the tensioners from the factory have plastic wheels and can fail anytime after 60000 kms.  The other thing that people are unaware of is that to correctly change the cam belts the rocker cover has to be removed and the special cam lock tools applied to the cams.  If this is not done, the correct tension can not be applied to the belt and can cause premature failure.

Therfore it would seem impossible to me for the job to be done to the correct standard as the price given above.

[John Hanslow]

Probably $800 - plus costs on a needs basis would be a fair comment as a few Alfa Specialists quote similar.