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3.2 timing belt service

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timing
2K views 26 replies 13 participants last post by  Il Diavolo 
#1 ·
Hi I am about to get the annual service done on my gt and looking at history the timing belt was changed in in 2011 so it's just coming up to 3years
During the 3years it has done 9000 miles
Do I change it or not some say 3 years some say 4years.
Not sure what to do expect service to be approx £350 cam belt approx £450
Car runs perfectly no issues what so ever
Honest appraisal appreciated
Cheers
Jeff
 
#5 ·
You should be ok cos of low mileage but it should really be done. V6 are a lot better on belts than TS's. If it was my GTA I'd be changing it.

Belt service is £800 from a specialist. Not £350-£450. If it is I'd question what they aren't changing and also suspect thy aren't using 3.2 timing blocks or worse tipex. :tut:
 
G
#6 ·
The base price for a 3.2 cambelt change is £400. That gets the belt, tensioner, fitting and VAT from Alfaworkshop.
Water pump, plugs etc is extra.

All in price, with everything and a full service is about. £850.
 
#7 ·
The 3.2's intake cams put more strain on the tensioner. You can see it sometimes if the engine stops in the right position; the backlash on the cams can be such that the belt is loose around the idler pulley in the middle of the V. So much so, you can actually remove and refit it with the cam belt in place.

For the reason outlined above, I wouldn't leave it any longer than 3 years, regardless of mileage. In this particular instance I wouldn't bother replacing the idler pulleys though. Just the belt and the tensioner.

But, you could have a look here and make your own mind up...

http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/alfa-gta/118471-gta-cam-belt-when-did-yours-snap.html
 
#9 ·
This is interesting to read. I was always lead to believe that the V6's were fine for 4 years or 48,000 miles. Seems I was pushing my luck before I got mine changed along with the engine rebuild recently :eek:
 
#12 ·
From what i,ve read only ... this is how i will treat mine..

mileage can make the biggest difference on them as seen a few do five years with low mileage in between
myself I would do 36,000 or four years .. more so if you know the pump idlers tensioner's etc where all replaced with quality parts on the last change by a good garage using the correct camshaft locking tools ...

though I might inspect it every year just in case
 
G
#18 ·
Suppose it's down to owner.

Thing is, my parents are strong believers in peace of mind, they have everything in their house insured like their freezer contents, their sofa, their carpets! They say peace of mind is worth the cash, I say waste of money.

If I still have my GTA in 4 years it'll get done again, not before.
 
#24 ·
Very interesting reading all the posts.
The 3years comes up in 2.5 months time and to heck with it I'm going to get it changed.
I know water pump etc was done originally so the car has been looked after correctly and serviced correctly. I might only use at weekends but I tend to have a heavy right foot and use the whole range of revs available.
Service and cam belt it will be. These engines are getting very rare and I really want to keep this car completely original.
Thanks again really appreciate the feed back

Jeff
 
#27 ·
Get mine done every 5 years, like the book says, about 36k on both the GT and the 156. The Tipex had only just faded from 5 years previously when I had them done again this year. I never buy additional cover insurance for white goods, the risks outweighed by the savings. if the belts go on the cars then so be it, I'll take it on the chin and scrap the cars. I'll let you know in 5 years time when they're due for the next change.
By the way, as a marker, about 10 years ago the belt snapped on my previous V6 156 at 55k, 5 years old. That was a company car with a poor service record and often driven by heavy footed youngsters in the office.
 
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