this is the variator causing the noise, it needs to be replaced and at the same time the belts and follower (and maybe waterpump if you dont have history on it)...
so its just to find out whats cheaper, as with an engine swap you'll have to change belts and follower and such also...
the variator for the FIAT HGT engine is the same as the Alfa, check for partnums , it should be in one of the stickies at the top, or on eper.

http://www.fiatbarchetta.com/misc/faq.html

Agree if you change engines you don't really know what you are getting so would only change IF your engine was known to be knackered as you may end up having to change all those parts in the replacement within a short period.

It is okay to keep driving the car in such condition for the next couple of months? Does this fault have side effects or cause any harm to other parts? cambelt snaps, water pump, etc?
Plus if i change it how could i know if the noise wont comeback any sooner?

The variator should not cause a cam belt to snap or water pumpt to fail but it should not be making that noise so change it sooner rather than later!

Your performance and MPG will suffer, I have to admit I have not heard of one failling totally and stuffing the engine but I am sure you don't want to be the first to find out!

There is no way of gaurding against the replacement variator failing but regular oil changes with an engine oil flush helps. Also, variators were a known issue on the HGT engines, new variators were allegedly manufacturered to a better standard and so should not fail.

If you want to be sure get your replacement from DTR, the variators that they supply have brass workings rather than plastic.

How to reach DTR? I am interested in importing a new variator if the price is reasonable... Thats a helpful tip about the brass, plastic variator workings..

Thanks..

http://www.dtrsports.com/

There are contact details on the DTR web site, give them a ping!

^^ spoke to 3-4 fiat parts sites.. Either no response or either we ship to UK areas only... I'll see how my local dealer does the job but i assume he will charge more on the part...

Spoke to an Alfa garage told me you will have to replace the inlet camshaft along with the variator. Also a fiat report i found on the net says the same; now thats good to add extra cost to the whole process!!

My water pump ill change along with the cambelt for the mean time as its starting to make noises.. The Variator ill try to sort it out soon...

ROJ said:

Spoke to an Alfa garage told me you will have to replace the inlet camshaft along with the variator. Also a fiat report i found on the net says the same; now thats good to add extra cost to the whole process!!

Click to expand...

No you don't, they are talking bollo*!!! - you need to remove it from the head to change the variator but you don't need to replace it!

If you get really stuck getting hold of a variator let me know, if you can wire money to the UK I would be happy to get hold of one from DTR and ship it to you..........

LittleRedB said:

No you don't, they are talking bollo*!!! - you need to remove it from the head to change the variator but you don't need to replace it!

Click to expand...

:yeahthat:

Maybe the Alfa's had a cam problem that the Barchetta's don't

Thanks Lil Red B, No probs... Checked with my local fiat dealer... Part costs less than 100pounds but needs a 3-4week wait till it arrives...

That is part no. 60815644!!! Variator!!!

Now im doing everyday 100km on the car with the current condition but my water pump is scaring me as i heard if it fails then it will kill the cambelt.. Gotta let my poor B rest for a while..

This i s the report i spoke about earlier

Never heard of that before and am confused as to why changing the inlet cam would help as its a different engine component. I can only assume that they had a few variators snap off in the cam?????

I don't believe that they water pump will fail as a result of the variator or cam belt, although if it did fail it could cause the belt to slip a few teeth....

LittleRedB said:

I don't believe that they water pump will fail as a result of the variator or cam belt, although if it did fail it could cause the belt to slip a few teeth....

Click to expand...

That's what he meant mate, your reading too quick or age is getting the better and you need some

I think its open to interpretation!!! Not sure if Roj is worried if the water pump will fail and tear out the cam or if the variator will cause water pump failure..........

Either way, water pumps are not a known weakness and are not a service item so you should be OK, cam belt is the component that always worries me! I had a friend save up for about a year to buy a V6 Calibra a few years back, stood in the car park with the engine running chatting to him when the car cut out, he re-started it and revved the nuts off it - turns out that the car cutting out was the start of the cam belt failing (jumped a tooth), the re-start and subsequent revving was the start of the end of the engine as the belt snapped at about 7k rpm - whoops apocalypse! :bang:

What he meant was if the waterpump fails or siezes it will affect the belt, but suppose it depends how it fails, either way worth changing sooner rather than later.

They have nothing to do with each other.. each part is a separate story...

Guys

Would you have the variator replaced as a service item at the cambelt change even if it all sounds fine? Going in for a cambelt and it's never had a variator.

Rob

Hi, personally It would depend on mileage. Very high mileage perhaps yes but if you don’t do a high mileage and change the oil every year it probably would not need changing for decades, its the belt that degardes, the variator needs clean oil to keep it operating efficiantly.
I am no expert just my opinion.
SteveD