That's my cambelt gone....

[Autolusso]

Yer, you done the right thing, great car go and enjoy it.

Ned

[pod]

My cambelt snapped at the turn of the year on my 03 GTA @ 48K.I contacted Alfa UK through the Arnold Clark dealer at Gorgie Edinburgh.They paid 100% of the bill due to it having a a full service history.......................hope this helps.

[Autolusso]

Originally Posted by pod

My cambelt snapped at the turn of the year on my 03 GTA @ 48K.I contacted Alfa UK through the Arnold Clark dealer at Gorgie Edinburgh.They paid 100% of the bill due to it having a a full service history.......................hope this helps.

And so they should

Ned

[Ecurie Ecosse]

UPDATE 3

The parts are in and I should have it back by the end of next week.

Yes!

[OperationAlfa]

Get in!

[garethb]

Thinking of a Q2 for my 3.2 166, has anyone on here had one fitted who has an aftermarket warranty? Did you tell them? I suppose it makes it non standard..

[gwales]

Just got my GTA back today after a belt change at 4.5 years and 25,000 miles. I asked them to look at the old belt and to be honest there were no signs of wear. All the the teeth where firmly attached to the belt, etc.

They did find that the water pump impeller had started to crack and have replaced it with a GTV metal one.

They also found that one of the bearings for the belt was making a little noise (not the one on the tensioner which was getting replaced anyway) so that's been replaced as well.

They gave me a run down on a short list of observations and things that will need addressed fairly soon. Another outstanding job by McLennans.

[Ecurie Ecosse]

Excellent Gary - you will be able to put your foot down in confidence again

I picked up my new courtesy car this morning - an Alfa GT Blackline 1.9 diesel 150bhp. It looks lush and goes quite well too. I almost had a tear in my eye driving as the interior is so similar to the GTA's.

The gearknob is really good to use, and I think I will inquire about getting it for my GTA which I should get back soon. It feels really good in the hand - slightly less chunky than the GTA one and should be a straight swap.

Here is a picture of it here:

http://www.alfa-actions.be/salon2007...otosgt/15b.jpg

The 18 inch wheels are also fantastic. But would it be sacrilege to fit them on the GTA?

http://www.motorauthority.com/wp-con...2770_a_alf.jpg

I should have my car back soon

[mudhut]

Your first pic has me wiondering whether I could fit the fron part of the GT centre console (the bit with the ash tray cover) to my GTA. The existing one looks a bit low rent.

[Pud237]

Originally Posted by Ecurie Ecosse

The 18 inch wheels are also fantastic. But would it be sacrilege to fit them on the GTA?

http://www.motorauthority.com/wp-con...2770_a_alf.jpg

I should have my car back soon

Not keen personally..

[Ecurie Ecosse]

Hmmm - it looks like it is part of the gearbox surround and sits at a different angle to the one in my 147.

Also, it just contains an ashtray. I find the 147 cubbyhole handy for storing CDs and sunglasses.

The wheels really look awesome on the car - but I am goiong to keep the GTA wheels as they are part of the package (i.e. it would probably be like fitting an Escort Cosworth with wheels from a Probe or something).

[ohwell]

I think you need to be careful when making changes to the GTA. Arguably, once you change anything on a GTA, it ceases to be a GTA. Certainly, the future buyer of your car might not be too keen if you've hacked off the original gearknob or binned the standard alloys for something from another Alfa model.
At the very least, make sure your mods are reversable otherwise you might struggle to sell on.

[Ecurie Ecosse]

Don't worry - I have now mulled it over and I intend to abide by my sworn duty of preserving my GTA for future generations.

[Ecurie Ecosse]

Going to be a little while longer as I also need one new cylinder head (as one has a couple of grooves in it - but Alfa are paying) and these are on back order.

Oh well - absence makes the heart grow fonder

[Pud237]

Bad news mate, lets hope it comes back to you soon enough

[alfaspence]

Originally Posted by Pud237

Bad news mate, lets hope it comes back to you soon enough

What he said

[Ecurie Ecosse]

Thanks guys. At least I am saving some cash on fuel with my Alfa GT BlackLine diesel courtesy car (which looks so good).

[CrispDust]

cylinder head = £500+ !

[Ecurie Ecosse]

Hi guys

Just had word that I should get the car back next week. Fingers crossed!

[Mr_Caine]

How did the cylinder head get grooves in it?

[Ecurie Ecosse]

I'm not sure - but hopefully will have the car back this week - just in time for the fuel crisis

[bazza]

Tell 'em you want it supplied with a full tank of fuel!

[Ecurie Ecosse]

Almost there now - just a couple of issue to resolve following its MOT:

- New upper arm for suspension;

- New brake hoses; and

- New spark plugs as there is a slight misfire.

[Sig. Pesci]

I've just had the same thing happen. 53k 147 GTA, FASH (done by time rather than mileage - so 60k service done at 50k, 3 months ago), sitting at a roundabout at tickover - 2k revs and it went.

AA recovered the car, called ARUK customer care who didn't put up much of a fight, other than saying they changed the time for the belts to 36k or 3 years end of 2007(?).

They are to ring me back with an offer, hopefully I will be able to quote the 90% compensation for cars of less than 72k and 5 years old.

Fingers crossed, the car has only been mine for 2 weeks and done 500 miles.

[Pud237]

Bad news mate..

All I can say is to remind anyone reading this not to go past 50k or 4 years on original belts, its almost like that's the trigger point for belt wear.