GT 3.2 Cam belts

[Desmosedici]

Hi guys
Quick opinion please.
I bought a 2006 GT 8 months ago from the Alfa dealer, and last month dropped it in for a service. She's 2nd hand,and has just tipped 42,000 Ks. they told me that it'd just be a fluid change and general check-up.
Taking the day off work, I drop the car off and hand the keys to he Service Dealer. He looked at his computer, and informed me that the Cam belts should be changed too.
'How much?'
'Oh, a bit over 2 grand', he said without blinking
'Not impressed', I replied, and thanked him for informing me beforehand, and also for selling me a car with a known service due (every 4 years...80 K )
Anyway, I just had the service alone ...and am budgeting the 2 or so large.
Please guys, can you offer an opinion of how the belt condition would be after 6 years?
Is it a 'time-bomb' or is this an over-reaction, considering it only has 42K on the clock?
Thanks guys
Rags

[wankski]

time bomb... it's 3-5 yrs at absolute most...

if it goes your engine is done...

need belts, tensioner and 2x idlers... do your water pump to get the metal impeller too.

you in melbs? get it done at lance dixon....

[Evan Bottcher]

The belts have a time limit as well as a km limit, and it's not worth the risk to not change them.  The dealers are great, however you do have the option to use an independent specialist - there are a few in each state who are well known club supporters - they'll have the experience and special tools required to do the job.  If you want a recommendation, let us know which state/side of the city you live.

[Brad M]

Just had mine done. 2nd time for the 7 year old car and it has done less than 72,000 km.

It cost less than 2 G's at the independant I went to.

[bonkfrog]

Agree - do it ASAP.
The cost seems about right; the Peugeot 406 coupe I owned cost around $2K several years ago. It was a quad cam V6 and needed to have new waterpump, belt tensioner bearings (3) and the belt replaced. Best for peace of mind.

[Desmosedici]

Roger that blokes...just trying to fit it into the budget ASAP.

...kinda pissed at the dealer for laying that one on me in his office ( like I have a quick spare 2k strait off the cuff, hah)

So....anyone recomendations for good independents in Perth?

[Brad M]

I'd call the following for a chat and quote.

Cileberti Motors on 9444 9863

Autodelta on 9249 5044

[Sheldon McIntosh]

Hang on a minute.  So you bought it from an Alfa dealer, and this is the same one you've taken it back to, is that right?  Did they inform you of when the belts were changed last?  Surely they didn't sell it with original 6 year old belts?  Or is it that they're now 3 years old that they need doing?  I'd like to think that if they were that close to changing they might have done it pre-sale, but hey....

[tony8028]

I would assume that you would have had a chance to examine the books prior to purchase which would have stated when the belts were last done - and this will be the response of the dealer when you pull them up on it - ie 'we were not trying to hide anything'.

I dare say they would have had a reasonable idea that the belts were due or close to it and that would have been a major bargaining point when they bought the car themselves.

On the plus side....do the belts and you can have 3 years of stress free fun and not waiting for a bang under the bonnet....agreed, its a hell of a lot of money...and its not like you will get in the car afterwards and notice any difference !!

[trippytipo]

No way a cam belt change on an Alfa Arese V6 engine (with parts or otherwise) should be costing you two grand.

With the local mechanic or dealer supplying the parts, I'd say $1,500 MAXIMUM.

Hold on to that wallet!

[GTVeloce]

There is another guy - Tony Lucente.
Lucente motors - 9271 1355.
Smaller operation than Cileberti's and Autodelta but he knows his stuff and will probably be cheaper. Plus, if you turn up at the right time he will probably offer you a coffee!

[colcol]

Its 3 years for the 4 cylinder, 5 years for the V-6, even though you may have only done 10,000 klms, after a few years the belts dry out and crack, they usually don't break, the teeth strip off the belt and has the same [expensive] effect as a broken cam belt, nice feeling when its done, can drive the car without waiting for a bang, Colin.

[Mika]

I have a slightly different view but i am happy to be corrected. I would agree if the car is 6 years old and has done 42k they should be done, however i think the real issue is the mileage rather than the age. We have had these v6 motors for nearly 25 years in one car or another and we have never had a problem (touch wood). We focus more on the mileage than the time, i wouldn't want to go past 6 years but if i have only done 20k since they were last done and 3 years has elapsed i would leave them.

It appears there are various service intervals quoted up to 4 and 5 years and 80k.

Has anyone had a belt break after low kms (excluding issues like oil leaks that damage the belt)?

Also if i had only done 20-30k i would probably only get the belt replaced and leave the tensioner, water pump etc

Mika

[wankski]

I have a slightly different view but i am happy to be corrected. I would agree if the car is 6 years old and has done 42k they should be done, however i think the real issue is the mileage rather than the age.

Also if i had only done 20-30k i would probably only get the belt replaced and leave the tensioner, water pump etc

Mika

nope. and this is in no way should be construed as a personal attack cos it's not (interwebs can be easily misconstrued).... but this is completely, and i do mean, completely - wrong advice.

1) the belt is actually pretty robust.... two things kill it in short order: a) seized idler [high friction - causing belt to physically fail/snap/sheer teeth] or  b) failed tensioner that allows the belt to slip.

2) all water pumps which have not been replaced by a metal impellor version should be changed. this is my one, original, taken from an 04 156 v6 with 90k kms on it. I had NO issues at all but i already had signs of plastic impeller failure. The WP while it does not ride on the cam belt like the 4s, still requires full removal of the timing belt to access. No arese v6 outside those fitted to the gtvs had metal impellors... plastic has now been discontinued for this reason... get a metal one... she'll then last you at least 2 belt changes if not 3 (i.e. 9-10 years easy)..

as per my previous advice is the correct view. 1) definitely replace all idlers (2x) and the tensioner along with the belt everytime and 2) if you do not know for sure the WP has been replaced with a metal impeller version, do that as well.

the job:




cracked impellor.


costs: labour should be around $1,000. All parts locally can easily cost more than $700. If you buy the parts from the UK or Europe, you can easily get the belt kit and WP for around $350-400 landed. see ebspares/alfisti.net/alfaworkshop etc

NB: if you get the parts from OS you won't get in most cases backing from the fitter... i.e. warranty on labour alone, not for parts.. so weigh up the cost/benefit on that one yourself.... $2k for the full genuine kit, including WP, is a fair price...

[bteoh]

Cost me $2800 in Perth for my 156 GTA including metal impeller water pump- at least that's what I hoped they put in there. Damaged 2 of my intake tubes , dinged the fender and never told me till I checked it the next morning. They changed the intake pipes and fixed the ding but I can't say I was very happy with the care they took with the car.......
Might try the independant specialists next time.....