Poorly Alfa

[Bri]

How Do

Thought I'd give you a laugh by showing you my 147 on a recovery truck;

Got it recovered to a local specialist, they have only had a chance to have a very quick look at it but the inlet manifold is blown apparently which could (hopefully not) be a result of timing belt failure. It shouldn't be as belts were changed less than 36k ago but you never know. I really hope it's not that as could be looking at 4 figures to repair which, tbh, probably isn't worth it.

Anyway, enjoy

 

[Bri]

It's not like OcUK to laugh at the misfortune of others.

It was mostly tongue in cheek

 

[Bri]

an alfa in its natural habitat.

You say belts were changed 36k ago, i thought that was about the service interval on these

Ho ho ho. I said less than 36k but you're right, that is the interval.

Poor Alfa

How long ago were the belts done (years not mileage) and did they change the idlers and tensioners (as AFAIK thats what causes belt failure on the twin spark engines)?

Less than 3 years. I assume tensioners were done as it was done at a stealers, but can;t be 100% sure as have only got the service book stamp, no receipts. Don't know for sure it is the belts yet, fingers crossed it isn't.

So was mine.

Damn this emotionless medium that we are forced to use

 

[Bri]

Oil burner?

*spit*

 

[Bri]

How do you blow an inlet manifold? Blow it where? Up?

Does it require the use of a laptop in the passenger seat displaying random meaningless bar charts?

I really don't know, apparently they're made of plastic

 

[Bri]

OK, so diagnosis completed.....

Cambelt has slipped 1, maybe 2 teeth which caused a backfire which blew the inlet manifold. Very, very unlikely to have damaged any valves (there is a teeny possibility) so more fingers crossed.

The garage I had it recovered to got the price for a new manifold & gaskets which is... wait for it... £910 Plus the belt & tensioners which after labour came to over £1600

However, the friendly chaps at my usual garage (not as close to home) have a 2nd hand manifold so that brings the price down considerably to around the £750 mark, still not cheap but a bit easier to stomach.

So, going to have to bang that on the credit card and it looks like the 147 will be going after it's fixed & all better (anyone want it for £5k?? ), and I probably won't replace it with another Alfa (yet).

See my other thread for suggestions

 

[Bri]

Sounds like the last cambelt service they may not have changed the tensioner.

Timing belt failures are usually down to the tensioner breaking not the belt. Unlucky.

According to the service book, tensioners were done, just unlucky I guess