Technical GPS Diesel Cambelts

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Technical GPS Diesel Cambelts

mikez328

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Now here's an interesting thing: It appears that Alfa Romeo & Fiat have been suffering this year with an inordinate number of cam belts snapping on diesel engines. Fiat/AR currently recommend the belt to be changed at 72,000 miles. That is under review & will become 36,000 miles in the next few weeks. Bet they don't mail you all (as for a recall) though:eek: .

It appears that many Fiat/AR diesel cars this year have had a sudden water pump seizure which has instantly snapped the cam belt (trawl through recent Alfaowner.com threads). However, with the Fiat/AR diesel engines the rocker shaft is designed to break :eek: if the cam belt snaps. So - unlike a petrol engine - the diesel valves should not hit the pistons - or so they say. Be aware.

It strikes me as rather peculiar as surely it would be far cheaper for AR/Fiat to change the errant water pump at the 36,000 mile service (takes 15 mins) rather than leave a known dodgy pump on the car but charge YOU & ME for a very expensive cam belt change (over 3 hours!).

Mike
 
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It strikes me as rather peculiar as surely it would be far cheaper for AR/Fiat to change the errant water pump at the 36,000 mile service (takes 15 mins) rather than leave a known dodgy pump on the car but charge YOU & ME for a very expensive cam belt change (over 3 hours!).

Mike

You've answered your own question there mike.

(Althought it's not the answer you want to hear)
 
You've answered your own question there mike.

(Althought it's not the answer you want to hear)

Quite frankly Kris I personally don't give a toss, with a 9600 mile car! I am merely trying to alert other Fiat/AR owners to future problems (especially if their cars are under warranty) that Fiat UK might wish to keep quiet - as it will cost them dearly. I have publicised the issue & it is now up to you owners to react to Fiat UK & protect your own interests. :devil:

Just telephone Fiat UK Customer Services (00800-2532-0000) & see what they have to say - very little initially as the "CS reps" are an utter waste of space - young girls who know nothing about cars!!
 
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Shocking :eek:. That was one of the bonuses of the diesels, long belt changes and service intervals etc. I'd be quite peeved if it were me :bang:. It makes me laugh how many Alfa TS engines had the belts snap. I saw a scrap yard with 5 different Alfa TS's in it all good condition except they where all missing cambelts :rolleyes:.
 
Pretty sure it's just the Alfa petrol engines.

http://forum.alfa156.net/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=29973&PN=1&TPN=1

If you have evidence they're going to change the service interval please post it. I've not seen a spate of waterpump failures.

Here's the link: (Read & digest then take it how you will - the waterpumps on both Fiat & Alfa are sourced from one & the same manufacturer.....)

http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/alfa-gta-and-gt/83644-gt-1-9-jtd-timing-belt-failure.html
 
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Mike if I give you a spanner and a new water pump I dont think you could change it in 15 minutes so unfortunately this shows me you have little idea of what you are talking about. We have not had any problems on the jtd engines of water pump failing (we have probably 2000 cars that we look after and have not changed any engine parts due to cam belt failure). It is true that Alfa Romeo have had problems with premature failure but Fiat jtds do not so please avoid causing panic.
 
Hi All,

I'm certain that the 1.3 diesel has a chain rather than a belt. Perhaps this indicates that the manufacturer has knowledge of a potential problem and has taken steps to rectify it on later engines?

Mad Mike
 
Mike if I give you a spanner and a new water pump I dont think you could change it in 15 minutes so unfortunately this shows me you have little idea of what you are talking about. We have not had any problems on the jtd engines of water pump failing (we have probably 2000 cars that we look after and have not changed any engine parts due to cam belt failure). It is true that Alfa Romeo have had problems with premature failure but Fiat jtds do not so please avoid causing panic.

Thank you for your disrespect. Here is my response to your comments:

1. I am NOT trying to cause "panic". I am merely pointing enthusiasts to issues with the common Alfa Romeo engines that they might not be aware of if they don't frequent the various AR forums.

2. I'd need more than just "spanners" on a modern engine! I might have been "tongue in cheek" about 15 mins to change a water pump - HOWEVER - on the old Ford Crossflows that I grew up with I could change the pump -one bolt (drive belt) to slacken & 3 bolts to remove the pump, in less than 10 minutes!

3. I and my pals (Early 1970's) used to run Ford Escort Mexico's & 1600 Lotus 16Valve Engined Ford Anglias (Remember those?). We (living next door to Lotus @ Hethel) all ran Lotus' 16 Valve 1600's with twin Del'Orto 40 carbs - which we regularly blew up trying to hit 120mph:mad: on the Acle straight between Norwich & Gt Yarmouth on a Fri/Sat night. We would have the car trailored home the night it put a 'rod through the block, work all night & have a new engine running first thing Sunday morning. Lotus parts out of the "back door" then were cheap. A pair of brand new Del' Orto DHLA 40's were £20.00 max. One of my best mates owned the best known & greatest show circuit V8 Sit up & Beg Ford Popular in the UK (Called "Pinball Wizard" - but bet YOU'VE never heard of it because you are too young).:devil: . If you popped the clutch on it you would get a 25-30 degree wheelie. You also sat in the back seat with a "tilt" steering column with the "thousand yard stare" to see through the windscreen, which was 4 feet away....

Anyway, your comments are totally out of order. There quite patently IS a problem with Alfa Romeo diesel cambelts & as the Fiat diesel engines share common parts then I would be concerned - but not particularly worried.;)

Whilst I understand that dealers like you have a vested interest in defending your brand (livlihood), why can't you do more to promote what a good service you can provide? Or can you? You do yourself no favours by spouting forth with total lack of knowledge - as you have just done so by trying to shoot me down. I can't now be bothered to respond. Ciow.
 
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Anyway, your comments are out of order. There quite patently IS a problem with Alfa Romeo diesel cambelts & as the Fiat diesel engines share common parts then I would be concerned - but not particularly worried.;)

NumanR is a respected Fiat tech. I'll take his word over rumour. If he says he's not had any cambelt failures on the Fiat JTDs - then I'd believe him.
 
NumanR is a respected Fiat tech. I'll take his word over rumour. If he says he's not had any cambelt failures on the Fiat JTDs - then I'd believe him.

I'm old & bold enough to take absolutely no notice of anything told me by anybody in the UK. He may be right - until tomorrow comes. Who cares:bang:
 
Mike I was hoping not to have to point this out, but the article refers to Alfa Romeo JTS and Twin Spark engines, the JTS is the lean burn PETROL engine, not a diesel. Thank you for noticing I am so young though, I must buy you a beer some time. Regarding Acle straight, great fun at night, you just have to remember the bend at the Stracey Arms!
 
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Mike I was hoping not to have to point this out, but the article refers to Alfa Romeo JTS and Twin Spark engines, the JTS is the lean burn PETROL engine, not a diesel. Thank you for noticing I am so young though, I must buy you a beer some time. Regarding Acle straight, great fun at night, you just have to remember the bend at the Stracey Arms!

What bend?:D . One of the most dangerous & deceptive roads in the UK. At approx 0100-0400hrs with the right car you can reputedly hit 180+ (but the undulations are off-putting):( . - My max was 165 before I decided I did not want to be found in a dyke several days later! Glad you know the road (& the horrrible Stracey Arms) though...(y)

On another note - the Alfaowner.com forum article on broken cam belts is specifically about the 1.9JTD (150bhp) belts breaking:confused: .
 
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enthralling thread with mad max:devil: mike 328 on it class..........:D
 
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