[Fraser92]

Hi, heavily debating purchasing a 2.2 brera but I've heard so many bad reports on the timing chains going? Can someone help me out I'm not sure what to do.


Thanks

 

[lussoman]

Get it bought.
It won't be the end of the world if the chain does 'stretch' - it'll be flagged up via the EML.
I had it on mine and finally got round to having the work done months after the EML came on. Sub-£400.
Nothing like as bad as the Alfa cambelts of old.

 

[dc]

I've had two 2.2 Breras and both have had the camchain changed before 50k, on my previous car it was supposedly done a short time before I bought the car (for around a grand by a main dealer) and needed doing again within a year (main dealer had gone out of business in the meantime), So it's a fair bet that the chain will either have been or will need to be changed at some time.

Prices vary. I paid around £700.00 at Autolusso a few years ago but that involved the camshaft variator being changed as well.

Don't forget the gearbox bearings problem. Again, budget for it if it hasn't already been done.

Don't let me put you off though, a well sorted example is a great car for the money...

 

[BuonGiorno]

22JTS chain issues is subject to long engine oil change interval of 30tkm ( or 18-20t miles you have ).
Last 22JTS was released ex factory mid 2009.
So, if to find used 22JTS of last generation whose owner has been already aware of chain issues at beginning that time and has reduced his oil change interval to 10-15tkm to avoid chain issue in future it would not brings a problems. Just watch for service interval mentioned in a service book.

 

[lussoman]

22JTS chain issues is subject to long engine oil change interval of 30tkm ( or 18-20t miles you have ).
Last 22JTS was released ex factory mid 2009.
So, if to find used 22JTS of last generation whose owner has been already aware of chain issues at beginning that time and has reduced his oil change interval to 10-15tkm to avoid chain issue in future it would not brings a problems. Just watch for service interval mentioned in a service book.

That isn't true, but it's usually the first thing people say's the culprit.
A forum user earlier this year who'd had the car from new and changed the oil religiously at 6k miles still had the chain issue. It's pot luck, but likely to be needed every 50k on average I'd guess.

And don't forget, ANY garage with a bit of nous should be able to do the work, it isn't specialist stuff.

Similarly with the gearbox. Very few 2.2s have suffered, it's usually the more torquey 1.9 DERV of the 159 that shares the same gearbox that has all the trouble.

 

[Fraser92]

No problem,

Cheers for the replies

 

[BuonGiorno]

I have absolutely different experience with chain issue.
Here in Russia we have no this problem for cars initially sold locally.
Reason is greedy ARRu has forced users to make service 10k each. No service no warranty.
Each car privately imported from EU has suffered with chain. est la vie...
Top oil change is also not good.
PS. I have another failure today. Plastic pipe in cooling system ( bit down to extension tank ) has broken with some coolant gone...
Ough... Already forget about similar things as from my first Lada.
:biglaugh:

 

[dc]

Both my 2.2 Breras suffered chain problems and had oil changes every year and fairly low mileage. I think it's more or less a given..