Just traded my BMW 520 for a 156 TS sportwagon

Hi, I am new to Alfa ownership having hankered after one for some time I finally gave away my beemer and took the plunge. Are things really as scary as everyone is telling me? My car has 64k on it and no evidence of a cam belt change.

I am in Sussex and the local specialist has quoted £720 for the 72k service, is this normal? thats 25% of the cars value!

Is it wise to let any garage do the belt or does it need to be a specialist Alfa garage?

Thanks

Derek

Hi and welcome to AO. Lots of great info on belts on here, do a search enjoy your 156

Hello and welcome


Jamie Porter (Royston) will do it far cheper as will Autolusso (Nr Leighton Buzzard)

Both have websites with their charges....

If the car has not had the cambelt changed do it PDQ



Chris

Things aren’t scary at all, get that belt changed and keep an eye on the oil and you will be fine.

Don’t let any garage do the belt unless they are using cam locking tools, ask them the question if you are not sure.

Hello and welcome to AO

Ned

Hi Derek, welcome to AO

Welcome to AO..

What the other guys said really, get belt/tensioner changed ASAP and keep an eye on the oil and you should be fine.

£720 sounds a lot, but then I never "serviced" my JTD, I just took it in for the jobs it needed doing when they needed doing. Oil & Filter change every 7k, fuel filter after 20K, cambelt & tensioner because it would have needed it at some point so I thought I may as well do it now, auxbelt and tensioner because it got squealy, wishbones because they were knackered (to put it bluntly! ), radiator because it was overheating, thermostat because it then didn't get up to temperature etc etc.. I spent a lot of money but never more than about £300 at a time so it didn't ever seem so bad!

Best of luck with it, they really are cracking cars

Thanks to all, I will shop around and get the belt done in the next week or so.

Cheers

Derek

Hello and Welcome !!

Hello and welcome

Hello and welcome to AO Derek

hi and welcome

Thanks to all,
I have had the belts tensioners and water pump replaced but it now makes a little whine! the garage says this is normal and it will go in a day or two.
Looking on the forum i see I am not the only person to experience this!
Love driving the car, so much more a drivers car than my 520i tourer.
Cant believe the rev counter goes up to 7k, it seems quick enough just using 0-4k. Will it be happy revving to 6-7k?

Cheers

Derek

Oh it'll love revving to 6-7K.. Just make sure its warm first

A few guys on here have had the rev limiter raised to 7250, just to wring that bit extra power out of it. Alfa engines love to rev, even my old JTD would pull right up to 5K rpm

Good choice

Yep check the oil every week as they do drink it, i checked mine every friday night.

I take mine to Alfa specialists only now as its not worth letting your local mechanic attempt to understand these beasts. May cost you a bit more but is worth it in the long run.

I can't wait to get mine back on the road, getting a new engine fitted on Monday - hasn't put me off the Alfa at all though, if anything i understand it more!