cam belt failure

Mitch166 · 18-07-2003

The cam belt has gone on my 166 2.5 V6 after 68K. It has full service history and is pampered to extreams and I'm repaid like this! (The bill is up to £1500 and they haven't started fixing it yet!!) Is this still a common problem with the V6?? I thought Alfa had sorted it!! (i.e. brought the belt change interval forward. Any one been through this nightmare? I'm off to find solice in the bottom of a beer glass or 10!

RicksAlfas · 18-07-2003

Oh what a ******er.
Sorry to hear that Mitch.
eek!
Hope you get it back soon.
frown

VeloceMitch · 18-07-2003

Hi Mitch,, (No relation)
Thats bad news, have AR offered anything in compensation, if it's got a full service history etc, they have been known to contribute. Press hard for it. God luck anyway.
BTW welcome to AO, hope you stick with us.

Mitch166 · 20-07-2003

Thanks chaps for your sympathetic ear. I will find out Monday the full extent of the damage and the bill! Great site this, nice to know there are fellow suckers of the Alfa mark. i can't help it I just love my Alfa's!

Stori · 20-07-2003

Personally I would prefer to have the noise of a cam chain than the noise of a motor destroying itself due to a crappy cam belt.
Commiserations on your disaster.
Hopefully with the new GM-FIAT V6 which will use a cam chain, these extremely costly and totaly unnecessary engine failures, will be a thing of the not very pleasant past

speedy · 20-07-2003

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Stori:

Hopefully with the new GM-FIAT V6 which will use a cam chain, these extremely costly and totaly unnecessary engine failures, will be a thing of the not very pleasant past<hr /></blockquote>Dont bank on it as GM are having problems with CAM CHAINS Snapping eek! eek! on there 2.2 engines and Chain Guides wearing on there smaller engines too

Stori · 21-07-2003

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by speedy:
 <blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Stori:

Hopefully with the new GM-FIAT V6 which will use a cam chain, these extremely costly and totaly unnecessary engine failures, will be a thing of the not very pleasant past<hr /></blockquote>Dont bank on it as GM are having problems with CAM CHAINS Snapping eek! eek! on there 2.2 engines and Chain Guides wearing on there smaller engines too<hr /></blockquote>Where are these GM engines manufactured?

"Holden Powertrain Engineering (Australia) was responsible for the design and development of a 1.8 litre ECOTEC 4 cylinder engine which powers GM's top-selling Astra model in global markets such as Europe, Asia, South Africa and Latin America." (2001)

http://www.autoweb.com.au/start_80/s...wsarticle.html

"Holden Powertrain Engineering's new 1.8L 4-cyl. powers GM's Opel Astra in Europe, South America and Latin America. " (2002)

http://waw.wardsauto.com/ar/auto_holden_pattern/

Mike M · 21-07-2003

When was it last changed? When the 164's started breaking belts all over the place the interval was I think reduced from 72k to 50k then to 36k. Same engine, same belts. Also did they change the tensioner when they last did the belt?

Good luck with Alfa "customer service".

You have my sympathies. Hope you get back on the road soon.

21-07-2003

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Stori:

Hopefully with the new GM-FIAT V6 which will use a cam chain, these extremely costly and totaly unnecessary engine failures, will be a thing of the not very pleasant past<hr /></blockquote>I've worked on Audi's before and many a time I've seen the timing chain on the A4 go. Not a pretty sight.

Oooh and Hi every one! I'm new here!

Alfa 156 2.0L Driver

Love driving her every single time I get in.

Stori · 21-07-2003

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by SiWhy:
 <blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Stori:

Hopefully with the new GM-FIAT V6 which will use a cam chain, these extremely costly and totaly unnecessary engine failures, will be a thing of the not very pleasant past<hr /></blockquote>I've worked on Audi's before and many a time I've seen the timing chain on the A4 go. Not a pretty sight.

Oooh and Hi every one! I'm new here!

Alfa 156 2.0L Driver

Love driving her every single time I get in.<hr /></blockquote>Timing chains will break but should never be as unreliable as Belts.

and by-the-way welcome and i hope you enjoy your stay

speedy · 21-07-2003

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Stori:
 <blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by speedy:
 <blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Stori:

Hopefully with the new GM-FIAT V6 which will use a cam chain, these extremely costly and totaly unnecessary engine failures, will be a thing of the not very pleasant past<hr /></blockquote>Dont bank on it as GM are having problems with CAM CHAINS Snapping eek! eek! on there 2.2 engines and Chain Guides wearing on there smaller engines too<hr /></blockquote>Where are these GM engines manufactured?
[/url]<hr /></blockquote>They are made in either Germany or Mexico

The main fault is that the journals supplying oil to the chains and guides are very small and block easily

which is`nt helped by the 20,000 miles service intervals on them eek!

Stori · 22-07-2003

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by speedy:
 <blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Stori:
 <blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by speedy:
 <blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Stori:

Hopefully with the new GM-FIAT V6 which will use a cam chain, these extremely costly and totaly unnecessary engine failures, will be a thing of the not very pleasant past<hr /></blockquote>Dont bank on it as GM are having problems with CAM CHAINS Snapping eek! eek! on there 2.2 engines and Chain Guides wearing on there smaller engines too<hr /></blockquote>Where are these GM engines manufactured?
[/url]<hr /></blockquote>They are made in either Germany or Mexico

The main fault is that the journals supplying oil to the chains and guides are very small and block easily

which is`nt helped by the 20,000 miles service intervals on them eek! <hr /></blockquote>I like a car which ends up with grinding paste for oil which is basically what you would get after 20,000 miles. eek! laughing

In Australia the Holden service interval for the imported Vectra 2.2 is 1500km (at no cost) inspection, then every 15,000km( about 9300 miles) or 12 months, whichever comes first.

Mitch166 · 25-07-2003

Just a quick update, Alfa have agreed to pay 50% parts and labour which I think is fair. It was due to be changed at 72,000, the dealer never mentioned getting it done earlier. Still you live and learn! (P.S total bill £3,000)