(T) Variator???

Ok, my stilo 1.8 16v has 45k km and sounds like a diesel for about 1.5 seconds on startup, and running a little bit more noisy than normal. I was told that it is necessary to change the cam belt kit to change the variator, is that true? I live in Central America. Where could I buy the parts and get them shipped to my country?
Thanks

yep, sounds like variator has had it. and it is wise to change the cambelt at the same time.

Not sure who can ship parts out to you though?

Thanks,

I'm sure another Stilo guru on here will be able to find someone who can ship parts out to the States though

do shop4partsnot ship to the US?

I would have thought so as long as he is prepared to pay the postage then why not

You beat me to the shop4parts you bugger

where abouts are you located mate? i'm going state side in a month, and i wouldnt be bother to bring the parts out with me and ship them from there.

Forgive my ignorance, but as I'm about to have my cam belt and tensioner pulley changed, what is a variator and what does it do?

Dont worry about it Phil you havnt got one on the 1.6 this only applies to the 1.8/2.4/jtd.

The variator fits to the inlet valve side of the camshaft and simply varies the valve timing on that camshaft [trying to keep it simple for some of you guys] if you are more interested and to save my fingers google camshaft variator thers bound to be a write up on this some where

Thanks, shop4parts say they dont ship outside the UK, I live in Guatemala Central America, the problem is that the local dealer charges almost 5 times for the parts, so I am interested in buying them elsewhere.

I don't blame you! That's outrageous!

Thanx PNL, always willing to learn, me! Having googled like you suggested and the first words I read were '...prone to failure...', I'm delighted the 1.6 doesn't have it!