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Cambelt Done...

MikeyRules

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MikeyRules Newbie

MikeyRules

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I've just had my Cambelt, pulley, tensioner and water pump replaced on Thursday and have to say it was the most painless one yet!!

 

I sourced a Gates Cambelt Kit and an OEM water pump for £55 off eBay and had Nigel fit them on Thursday for the princely sum of £150! So £205 all in is the bargain of the century!!!

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Rossocorsa Newbie

Rossocorsa

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Mine cost a bit more than that! However I had full service as well, used original belt kit and metelli water pump all appears good so far! Strangely the car seems to run better after the belt change, wouldn't really expect that but the low end flat spot is less noticeable. Edited by Rossocorsa
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MikeyRules Newbie

MikeyRules

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How weird i was going to say the same thing re running better post belt change! I thought it was just me being daft...

 

I should have had a service really, but will wait now until next month.

 

One thing Nigel said was he's had plenty of original belts snap, but has never known a Gates belt snap in all his years working for Alfa Romeo...

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MikeyRules Newbie

MikeyRules

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Yeah could be... I took mine for a proper blast around the Derbyshire Peak District this afternoon and it's running great.

 

Apart from a service, I could do with having the wheels refurbed as one or two are starting to flake in places, and the odd kerbing here and there. I don't know about you, but I find the car an odd shape when reverse parking using the wing mirrors and unless you put the mirror down towards the floor it's difficult to see just how close you are to kerbs sometimes.

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Rossocorsa Newbie

Rossocorsa

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Yes I often wonder is it modern car design or my increasing senility at fault ? I think actually it's a problem due to much thicker pillars for safety regs and far lower profile tyres when I had a 2000HF years ago it had slim pillars and 80 profile tyres could park it in a nano second! Edited by Rossocorsa
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MikeyRules Newbie

MikeyRules

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What mileage is the water pump etc due guys? I know of the aux belt at 66k? On a 1.6 Diesel. Mines due soon and just paid £700 for the car insurance on 2 cars and breakdown cover, ouch!

Water pump should be done at the same time as the belt/pulley and tensioner. If the pump fails it throws the belt and trashed the engine, so it's not worth the agro...

 

I also wouldn't stick to the mileage either as lots of short journeys, stop start traffic etc means it needs doing sooner at 4 years instead of 5.

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Nello Newbie

Nello

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Don't know Milton Keynes twe but Paul Gilbert at MotorMech will do the job. Centre of Birmingham - 70 miles / 75 mins from you. Definately worth the trip. 

http://www.motor-mech.co.uk/index.asp

Just don't take the wife as he is literally across the road from the Bull Ring/Grand Central/Selfridges and she'll take revenge!

Edited by Nello
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twe Newbie

twe

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Don't know Milton Keynes twe but Paul Gilbert at MotorMech will do the job. Centre of Birmingham - 70 miles / 75 mins from you. Definately worth the trip. 

http://www.motor-mech.co.uk/index.asp

Just don't take the wife as he is literally across the road from the Bull Ring/Grand Central/Selfridges and she'll take revenge!

 

Lol!

 

I am unfortunately in 2 minds about selling the car. Will be expensive and the value of the car is making me think if it is worth it or not.

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MikeyRules Newbie

MikeyRules

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I've been toying with the idea to move mine on, but honestly for the money these cost what else compares!?

 

I fancied another Alfa Sportwagon but they're going for silly money at the minute, and when you put the seats down in the Delta, there really isn't that much difference.

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Josboogz Newbie

Josboogz

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I was just planning on getting my my cambelt done April time. I have 2 Deltas both 1.4 140bhps.

 

Had an alfa 156 before and can stress importance cambelt as stated above. Although thought cambelt failure is only an issue for 1.6engines and above?

 

Be careful on sourcing the part. You want original where there are more teeth on belt and belt than on a cheap part.

 

My local mechanic quoted 3 hours labour at 150.

 

Good news on it running a little better on low revs.

 

Look forward to getting it changed.

 

Also concur with sportwagon. Not much in it on space in boot.

 

The cost of Deltas compared to others of same nothing compares. Maybe more hassle with getting specialist and potential parts but worth it for the exclusivity!!!

Edited by Josboogz
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MikeyRules Newbie

MikeyRules

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You're actually better with a Gates timing belt kit than a Ricambi Originali. Ask any Fiat Alfa Master Tech and they'll tell you they've never had a Gates snap, but have seen loads of originals go!

 

If your tech does a change for £150 then that's as good as the trade price I pay, so if he's good I'd stick with him! A Gates kit inc water pump is usually around £60 if you shop around...

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MikeyRules Newbie

MikeyRules

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Well just had the Delta in for a full service and Nigel diagnosed a noisy aux belt pulley where the bearings were grumbling! So just had that replaced while everything was in bits...

 

He commented on how clean the car was underneath, and also said how true the car was running as the tyre wear was dead flat across the tread! The only thing I wasn't happy about is how quick the front tyres have worn down (Goodyear Eagle F1). They're down to 3mm in less than a year, so I've had to swap them to the rear which I'm running Avon's, so will be good to see how these differ!

Edited by MikeyRules
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Rossocorsa Newbie

Rossocorsa

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Mine had Avon on the front when I first bought it, I found them noisy and a bit harsh changed to Goodyear efficient grip performance at front which have a much nicer and quieter ride then changed all 4 last year for Goodyear eagle F1 asymmetric 3 which are the best yet great compromise of ride and handling. So far I think they are wearing well too.
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MikeyRules Newbie

MikeyRules

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Yep I'm on the Goodyear efficient grips - I think they were the original fit.

Yeah they were which is why bought like for like on the front. The rears I replaced a few months later, but went for a new Avon tyre that had just come out as they were on offer and highly rated.

 

The Goodyear's are good but the wear rate has been appalling considering they've done less than 10k and are already down to 3mm... 

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