Alfa 156 Timing belt change cost

snaps

Ive a 04 Alfa 156, 1.6 34k miles. Im looking to get the timing belt changed before a jaunt down to Italy this summer.

Ive been quoted around 450e to have this done by indepentant garages (I dont have a main dealer too near me).

Is this about right price?

I may give a main dealer a ring in Galway monday to see what they charge, but i thought 450e is quite expensive?

Would it be cheaper to get it done in Italy?

mondeo

snaps wrote: »

Ive a 04 Alfa 156, 1.6 34k miles. Im looking to get the timing belt changed before a jaunt down to Italy this summer.

Ive been quoted around 450e to have this done by indepentant garages (I dont have a main dealer too near me).

Is this about right price?

I may give a main dealer a ring in Galway monday to see what they charge, but i thought 450e is quite expensive?

Would it be cheaper to get it done in Italy?

Even here in Eire you would get it done for 250 somewhere...I would imagine that you would get it done even cheaper in Italy. You don't really need the belt done at 34k...

Lex Luthor

mondeo wrote: »

You don't really need the belt done at 34k...

Yes you do. Its to be done every 36k miles.

450 sounds ok. I paid about 550 a few yrs back from an independent in Dublin which included variator/fan belt aswell.
You dont want to risk it going half way there. I let my first change go to 42k miles but thats cos I wasn't aware of the revision to change it from 72k to 36k, but kept it to 36k after that

Run_to_da_hills

Take the chance, you will get it done in Italy at a fraction of the price.

snaps

A lot of local garages here are not interested. Perhaps i should start contacting italian garages!

I wouldn't take a chance on a 6 year old belt 2000 miles short of the recommeded mileage for a change, many go before that. I certainly wouldn't head off to Italy without getting it done.

snaps

is it not the tensioners that fail, rather than the belt? Im not too clued up with it all.

Hotwheels

RoverJames wrote: »

I wouldn't take a chance on a 6 year old belt 2000 miles short of the recommeded mileage for a change, many go before that. I certainly wouldn't head off to Italy without getting it done.

Yep best to get your Bella sorted before ya go, make sure to change waterpump & tensioners as well..can't beat peace of mind..

Is it over for the Alfa Romeo Centenary Bash your going?

Enjoy the trip...:) & Take the long way round, its more fun....

snaps

no, im just heading south for the summer! where is the bash?

COB MGV8

Hey OP - Hope your user name isn't what happens.....

I have an '04 156 and the belt on mine has been changed every 35K miles. There's a guy guy called Gerry in Ti Autos who is supposed to be brilliant with these cars - as recommended by the Irish guys on the Alfa Owners Forum (haven't used him myself, but will when the need arises)

http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/republic-of-ireland/156526-alfa-dealers-and-indepents-ye-recommend-rep-of-ireland.html

This might have a Galway/Mayo mechanic listed as well

Hotwheels

snaps wrote: »

no, im just heading south for the summer! where is the bash?

Milan 26 and 27 June 2010..more about it here http://www.alfisti.com/index.php

Dilbert75

OP if you fancy some acclimitisation - down in Wexford - I know a guy nearby who does a lot of timing belts, etc specifically on Alfas. He normally has a few on the go at any one time. PM me if you want his details.

andynugent

Get it done I have a Alfa 147 timing belt went last month at 34K cost me €1600 to get fixed not worth taking the risk

TheColl

andynugent wrote: »

Get it done I have a Alfa 147 timing belt went last month at 34K cost me €1600 to get fixed not worth taking the risk

Ouch... driving a 147 myself, will look into getting it done at my next service methinks.

the merchant

I'd get it done in Ireland in plenty of time before you go. Mechanics make mistakes and if it does work lose and go tits up you have time for the garage to put it right.

Enjoy your holiday, it'll be more enjoyable not dealing with unkown garages in a foreign language.

Nonoperational

If you never had a change you are living on borrowed time. They Need a belt kit every 36 k OR 3 years whichever comes first. And believe me these tensioners do fail regularly after 3/4 years.

Lex Luthor

i used ti autos for 8yrs. If you are in dublin then besr go here

bryaner

I used to repair and machine cylinder heads, and alfa heads were our most popular get the belt done rapid!

Dilbert75

OP - what are you getting done for €450? timing kit? belt, tensioner & idler?
aux kit? belt & tensioner? water pump? variator?

the Alfa guy I know in Wexford reckons that if all the above €450 is a good price.

snaps

ill check, is it the belt that fails or the tensioners???

Nonoperational

Usualy the tensioner. You need a belt and tensioners kit definitely. If the variator is noisy (rattle after startup) you need that. The water pump should be grand at that mileage. With that sort of mileage you'd prob be grand with just the belt kit.

alias no.9

mondeo wrote: »

Even here in Eire you would get it done for 250 somewhere...

Not if you want it done properly. A €250 belt change on a twin spark will be just a belt change, the tensioner, the idler and water pump will not have been done. €450 is a decent price, you might get it done a little cheaper by shopping around but not much.

mondeo wrote: »

You don't really need the belt done at 34k...

3 years / 36k miles is the recommended interval for these belts. There are too many documented cases of failure beyond this time/mileage to risk it.

snaps

yes for 450 its the belt kit (tensioner as well), im booking it in to be done. ive also getting oil and filter changed plus a general check over for 75e extra. main dealer wanted 650e to do it.

gary the great

My water pump went today. Theres 103k on the clock so its just about due a timing belt change as well while we're at it. The variator needs changing to.

Im fairly broke to so can anyone recommened someone that knows there stuff thats intrested in a nixer? Im lookin at changing the water pump, timing belt, tensioners and variator on an Alfa 147

Nonoperational

Where are ya?

gary the great

Im in Tallaght

Nonoperational

I know a guy in wexford that does them as nixers but thats prob too far away for ya.

Redsoxfan

Apparently there's a really good Alfa guy called Don Baker working in a place caled Karfix in Tallaght.