Had a couple of near misses recently after using a local, independant garage to change the waterpump, cambelt, idler and tensioner so thought it best to share the warning.....
Firstly though... Cambelts can fail on any engine fitted with a belt, not just Fiats. To prevent this check the recommended service interval.
(when doing the belt it is good practice to change the belt, waterpump, tensioner, idler, thermostat, coolant and to check/replace auxillary belts).
The warning
Only one month after fitting the parts a screeching, bearing noise was heard from the engine so the car was returned to the garage. It was diagnosed as having a faulty new waterpump and was replaced for another new one with a "first time one o' thems gone mate"!
One month later... same thing happens!
Took it to an Alfa/Fiat specialist that we will recommend later once the dispute has been sorted.
He knew pretty much instantly what was wrong...... Cambelt had been overtightened causing severe stress to all parts.
Bearings in pump and automatic tensioner were basically being crushed causing the grease to leak then run dry. Had they seized... the belt would have snapped or shredded then trashed the top end of the engine!
Big thanks to the Alfa guy for saving our engine and sanity.
This isn't an advert for main dealers just a warning to choose your mechanic/garage wiseley.
Just think if they're going to be as willing to give you money back as they are taking it? (aftercare).
Ours weren't!
The Sedici Multijet has just survived two assassination attempts!!!! :slayer:
Firstly though... Cambelts can fail on any engine fitted with a belt, not just Fiats. To prevent this check the recommended service interval.
(when doing the belt it is good practice to change the belt, waterpump, tensioner, idler, thermostat, coolant and to check/replace auxillary belts).
The warning
Only one month after fitting the parts a screeching, bearing noise was heard from the engine so the car was returned to the garage. It was diagnosed as having a faulty new waterpump and was replaced for another new one with a "first time one o' thems gone mate"!
One month later... same thing happens!
Took it to an Alfa/Fiat specialist that we will recommend later once the dispute has been sorted.
He knew pretty much instantly what was wrong...... Cambelt had been overtightened causing severe stress to all parts.
Bearings in pump and automatic tensioner were basically being crushed causing the grease to leak then run dry. Had they seized... the belt would have snapped or shredded then trashed the top end of the engine!
Big thanks to the Alfa guy for saving our engine and sanity.
This isn't an advert for main dealers just a warning to choose your mechanic/garage wiseley.
Just think if they're going to be as willing to give you money back as they are taking it? (aftercare).
Ours weren't!
The Sedici Multijet has just survived two assassination attempts!!!! :slayer:
