That's my cambelt gone....

[Chris155]

Originally Posted by Mr_Caine

How did the cylinder head get grooves in it?

He probably means the valve guides are cracked.

[OperationAlfa]

Originally Posted by Sig. Pesci

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 did for the twinsparks!!! Not the V6's!

[Chris155]

Is it back on the road yet?

How much will it end up costing you? Do you know yet?

[Sig. Pesci]

Thats some more good ammo if they decide to dig their heels in.

Thanks.

[Ecurie Ecosse]

Sorry to hear that Sig Pesci.

Hopefully there shouldn't be too much damage if you car was at idle, which mine was.

Was it an Alfa authorised garage who did the 60k service? Who did you buy the car from - was it a trade sale? If so you should have some come back.

The change interval on the GTA is still 5 years and 72k miles - the change was only for the four cylinder cars.

Alfa contributed 65% towards my car. Be sure to use an Alfa authorised dealer for this work as the interaction between them and Alfa UK is a lot smoother.

The only down side is that your car will be away for a while, as some of the parts to do the repair are on back order.

[Sig. Pesci]

It has always been serviced by AR dealers. I bought it through a contact in the trade, so not off a main dealer. That doesn't change things as for as I'm concerned.

72k miles means 72k miles. Anyway, ARUK have just tried to ring me, lets see what they have to offer. (Getting ready to dig my heels in now !)

[chris147GTA]

when you guys are contacting ARUK for compensation, how does it work?

Do you all have warranties? Or is it just written somewhere that AR will pay out if the cambelt doesn't last like they claim it should?

[Sig. Pesci]

I got the number of Customer Care off a contact I have at FIAT/Alfa UK (had service issues a while back and they lent me a 159 Q4 for a week as an apology), but it is on the website.

I'm using the cases they've already stumped up for as ammo, I can't really see how they can say no if they obviously know it is a problem and have paid up already.

[Ecurie Ecosse]

In my case the garage contacted Alfa UK. It is a goodwill claim as the part fails before the recommended interval.

[Sig. Pesci]

Provisional 90% goodwill offered already ! (less than 2 hours)

Just need to get it to a AR main dealer for inspection.

Car is on it's way to a main dealer, just hope they (ARUK) keep their word and get it sorted and pay 90%. Still working on a replacement car off them, but I'll not push my luck as I'm away all weekend and off on holiday on the 12th.

Hopefully should have a fixed car by the time I get back.

[Ecurie Ecosse]

Woo hoo!

That's my car ready and I am going to pick it up tonight. I have forgotten what it looks like (that's 2 months )

As they have carried out various repairs to the engine (including a new head) , will I need to carry out a running in period?

My Dad thinks I will need to take it back after a couple of months to have the head tightened?

[gwales]

Congrats!

It will be like starting all over again.

There may well be some running in issues and the head bolts tightening sounds likely - the garage should give that info though?

Did you get any extra's done while they were at it?

[corbo]

Bad luck

I haven't even collected my 147 yet and I already have cam belt paranoia (CBP?)

Better safe than sorry I guess

[Ecurie Ecosse]

Hi Gary

I had a new clutch put in too (and various bits for the MOT).

No Q2....... yet!

[Sig. Pesci]

Returned from my holiday and my GTA is fixed, also had a metal waterpump fitted while they were on (included in the 90% discount). Couldn't fault AR or the dealer, but Alfa surely should be offering anyone with a GTA and a full service history a complimentary belt change instead of paying for all these huge engine rebuilds.

It would also be nice if they admitted that the gearbox and 305mm brakes were a weak link and sort them out too.

[Ecurie Ecosse]

It is so good to have the car back - it is just superb - you forget how good it is.

However, the timing is slightly off It is slightly lumpy at idle. From looking at previous posts it looks like the garage may have used V6 cam locking tools rather than the GTA ones, but we shall see.

I hope I have it back for the weekend!

[gwales]

Don't know if the failed (or improperly connected) engine mount issue hits the 147 but that would cause a lumpy idle too.

[Ecurie Ecosse]

Thanks Gary. I have picked the car up again after they "reset the idle paramaters". The car is running slightly better but is ever so lumpy on idle.

As most of the engine has been replaced, they suggested bedding it in for about 500 miles and taking it back for a check over (and to get the heads tightened).

Such a good car! In the time it was away I drove an Alfa GT Blackline, a Mercedes CLS 320CDi, a Mercedes C240 and a BMW 535d and it is so much better than all of those (although I was quite partial to the CLS for its waftability ; )

[Chris155]

Originally Posted by Ecurie Ecosse

My Dad thinks I will need to take it back after a couple of months to have the head tightened?

No you dont.

[Pud237]

Originally Posted by Ecurie Ecosse

However, the timing is slightly off It is slightly lumpy at idle.

More bad news

Hope they sort it for you as soon as possible.

[Ecurie Ecosse]

Thanks.

I've to take it back after 500 miles to see how it is running then.

The mpg is the same as before and it is running well otherwise.

[Chris155]

what was the bill in the end?

[Ecurie Ecosse]

Originally Posted by Chris155

what was the bill in the end?

The total bill was around £1k, and it took a long time for the amount to be worked out.

However, this also included a service, an MOT, a new clutch, spark plugs, new upper wishbone and new brake hoses.

[Chris155]

That's not bad. Do you know if they replaced the hydraulic tappets?

[Ecurie Ecosse]

I'm not sure - but I will check when I take the car back.