Cambelt change on the Diesel 1.6

"Regardless of the number of kilometres covered, the timing belt should be replaced every 4 years for particularly demanding use (cold climates,
driving in the city, idling for a long time) or in any case every 5 years"

From the manual... or 140000Km approx 87500 miles.

So i would say yours wasn't due quiet yet but Jan14 at the latest.

I would have got the service done then booked it back in at a later date for the cambelt change. Giving you time to get cash together.

I think I would be questioning some of these items.

Oil for a 1.6 diesel is 4.6 litres not 5.2 litres as per your invoice
Fuel filter isn't part of service on the 105Km/65K
Theres no pollen filter fitted which is done every service.
No mention of auxiliary belt in your invoice.
Also strange you got water pump, tensioner and timing belt then a timing belt kit, you paying twice for same thing.
The timing belt kit on your invoice is for a 1.4 not a 1.6 diesel.

I think you should definitely question that belt kit as the parts are also listed sererately and if it is the one for the 1.4 (I assume GT got that from eper) then they really do have some questions to answer.

.

Did you get an estimate for the work from any other Alfa service centres before booking the car in ?


Also most of the locals in the area would recommend TI Autos (an Alfa specialist) over any of the authorised Alfa service centres, details below.

T.I. Autos (Gerry Campbell)
Cowper street
Phibsboro
Dublin 7
01 838 6567
T.I. Auto Engineers Ltd. * * *-Alfa Romeo Specialists- * * * * * * 01-8386567* - Home

For a main dealer, that's actually pretty reasonable, bear in mind most UK dealers opening gambit for a minor service is 350 quid.

You pay full price for parts at the dealers, so a service, timing belt, discs and pads at a main dealer for a grand looks OK to me.

At 4 years, and with discs and auxiliary belt worn out, I would change the timing belt as they did, because it indicates the use the car has been put too.

I also think a pollen filter every 12 months is a good idea as they can end up stinking.

What they have done isn't just a book service its a good old fashioned 'full service' of the type anyone in the game would do to any used car they bought.

For a main dealer, that's actually pretty reasonable, bear in mind most UK dealers opening gambit for a minor service is 350 quid.

You pay full price for parts at the dealers, so a service, timing belt, discs and pads at a main dealer for a grand looks OK to me.

At 4 years, and with discs and auxiliary belt worn out, I would change the timing belt as they did, because it indicates the use the car has been put too.

I also think a pollen filter every 12 months is a good idea as they can end up stinking.

What they have done isn't just a book service its a good old fashioned 'full service' of the type anyone in the game would do to any used car they bought.

Spoken with the OH about your inputs and TBH she has been amazed at the responses. And she's very appreciative. So many thanks to all. A call will be put in.
On David's point about getting a quote from another dealer - we had planned to get a quote from a reputable local independent called scully autocare but it didn't happen. In hindsight we should have got another quote. I will ask your guy for one on the 155tb so thank you for the contact. OH's car was put in for a normal service with M.B. but we knew that the auxiliary belt might have to be done. We've given the car to this particlar Alfa dealer all along and since the MJ is needed for business we weren't going to compromise on any goodwill gesture if it was ever needed. We were surprised on all the bits that needed doing but this car does get 'driven' occasionally so it probably falls into the 4 year as opposed to the 5 year.

Sorry about the delay in coming back with an update but a lot of other things outside of getting the car service came up.
The AF dealer finally spoke with the OH and said the following:
No pollen filter changed stating that it was not needed since it was done on the last service.
Auxiliary belt was not changed stating that they visually checked the belt and it was OK and it didn't need to be changed. This leaves a question mark over all the belt related parts on that invoice.
OH felt after the call that she was really out her depth dealing with them and that they saw her coming. Probably the last time that we'll ever deal with an AF dealership.
P.S. And the oil - they always charge for 5.2 Lts - it's the standard rate on the system.