Hello/ Timing Belt Guilietta MY 13 Diesel

[simdmc]

Hello
My MY2013 Guilietta purchased 2014 and just out of warranty.
Its coming up to its 70K service.
I have been recommended to have the Timing belt changed now (due to some  early failures) not later, when its due according to handbook.
Alfa Romeo Australia were no help they just said do what the Dealer recommends and had no knowledge of any issues of early failure.
Alfa Romeo Australia say belt can belt
can be  inspected for wear Dealer says no!

Any advice appreciated as I dont want to spend money unecessarily!

[Citroënbender]

It's a generalisation but many diesels are a "failsafe" design where a broken timing belt/chain results in valve train components deforming or breaking - rather than valves themselves getting bent or impacting destructively into the piston tops. In honesty I reckon there are more problems with modern diesels resulting from oil issues - neglect or wrong spec.

Timing belts don't visibly "wear" in the sense of getting less pointy-toothed, however an experienced eye will pick any degradation of the tooth surface and nascent cracking across the roots of teeth. The polymers used in making timing belts are much better than twenty years ago, and the belt widths usually quite healthy - all this aids in extending safe belt life. In a nutshell, an experienced "all marques" mechanic should have no trouble with assessing the condition of belt if it can be viewed fully (ie, put up in the air and all relevant covers stripped away). 

70K and three years sounds young, the bad reputation earned by Twin spark petrol motors of the 147 and 156 era has probably made many workshops a bit gun-shy. My unprofessional opinion as a DIY-er (who would fix their own if it busted) is to first have a good look, then if OK to not run past five years from date of production, or 100K - whichever comes first.

[bonno]

Find attached is the recommended change interval for cam belt. Please note for the diesel engine is at 84000 miles or 4 or 5 years whichever comes first (depending on driven conditions).
cheers
bonno

[Mick A]

Hi Simdmc,

More often that not it isn't the timing belt itself that will break, it can often be a component related to the belt that can cause a failure.

The water pump is driven by the cam belt, so if the bearing fails in the pump, this can cause the belt to run off the pulley into the plastic cover and become damaged and break.

There is an idler pulley and tensioner that guide the belt and keep it at the correct tension. If one of these fail, the belt can jump or break.

The diesel pump is also driven by the cam belt, but I've never seen one of these fail in a way they would cause damage to a timing belt.

The first sign I've found on both the petrol and Diesel engines that can suggest a worn belt is a creaking from the belt when turning the engine by hand, and when they are really at the end of their useable life, a whine/squeak from the cam belt area, noticeable when the engine is idling and when the engine comes to a stop, it's very noticeable.

My suggestion is have an independent Alfa specialist take a look at the car and they will give you their informed opinion.

Mick

[simdmc]

Hi Simdmc,

More often that not it isn't the timing belt itself that will break, it can often be a component related to the belt that can cause a failure.

The water pump is driven by the cam belt, so if the bearing fails in the pump, this can cause the belt to run off the pulley into the plastic cover and become damaged and break.

There is an idler pulley and tensioner that guide the belt and keep it at the correct tension. If one of these fail, the belt can jump or break.

The diesel pump is also driven by the cam belt, but I've never seen one of these fail in a way they would cause damage to a timing belt.

The first sign I've found on both the petrol and Diesel engines that can suggest a worn belt is a creaking from the belt when turning the engine by hand, and when they are really at the end of their useable life, a whine/squeak from the cam belt area, noticeable when the engine is idling and when the engine comes to a stop, it's very noticeable.

My suggestion is have an independent Alfa specialist take a look at the car and they will give you their informed opinion.

Mick

Thanks I decided to replace as the car is nearly 4 years old now in total. A local European specialist in Woodend (Vic) did a good deal compared to Alfa dealers in Melbourne

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