156 1.9 JTD Broken down

[Colin RedGriff]

driving along at about 40 the car sort of lurched and the engine just cut out. Coasted to a stop and engine turns over but won't restart.

Can't think what has gone wrong. Waiting for the RAC to turn up fortunately a pub nearby so at least I can have lunch while I'm waiting.

any thoughts what it might be? Plenty of fuel and no overheating.

[Colin RedGriff]

Bugger - cambelt has snapped.

RAC man towed me off to the local indie - here's hoping the bill is not going to be too large but fearing the worst.

[neiljohnson]

Will be a large bill these engines are a pita to work on

[Kinky]

Bad news Colin. Sorry to hear that

Just for reference - might be worth having a read of this:
http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/alfa-147-156-and-gt...

[Colin RedGriff]

Thanks, interesting thread.

Garage mentioned the water pump when I dropped it off with them, but there had been no indication of overheating. I'll see what they find when they strip it down, pump will be replaced even if it's not broken.

Its a 54 plate with 54k on the clock so right in that range of cars that have had problems.

[OperationAlfa]

When the JTD's go like that they are normally pretty strong so your repair bill should be less than someone doing a twinspark engine.

[14-7]

Colin RedGriff said:

Its a 54 plate with 54k on the clock so right in that range of cars that have had problems.

Has it ever had a belt change in that time?

[RicksAlfas]

If it's a 16 valve unfortunately the waterpump is the weak point. They can seize and then take the cambelt with it. Good luck in getting it sorted.

[Colin RedGriff]

Thanks, all fixed again.

Waterpump seized and took out the cambelt.

[Kinky]

Colin,

Just for reference, what were the costs?

[Colin RedGriff]

A bit over £1,800

[Jez200]

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Id narrowed my new daily driver choice down to a 156 JTD and this thread (above link) has seriously put me off!!

[Red Firecracker]

So look for a car that has documented proof of cam belt and waterpump change, surely? It's a well known preventative maintenance measure so if it's not there, walk away. Or, get it done as soon as you get the car if everything else is right about it.

[EFA]

I was thinking of a GT 1.9JTDM and I am now concerned.

Is the belt change an engine out job?

[Red Firecracker]

All the info you could ask for;

http://www.alfaworkshop.co.uk/alfa_156_buyers.shtm...

and the prices (an idea of) to go with them;

http://www.alfaworkshop.co.uk/alfa_romeo_servicing...

[Alfahorn]

EFA said:

I was thinking of a GT 1.9JTDM and I am now concerned.

Is the belt change an engine out job?

There is no reason to be concerned. Make sure you check the history of any car you intend to buy, if it's been done you want to see the receipt, if not, use it as a bargaining point.

[RicksAlfas]

Jez200 said:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Id narrowed my new daily driver choice down to a 156 JTD and this thread (above link) has seriously put me off!!

EFA said:

I was thinking of a GT 1.9JTDM and I am now concerned.

Is the belt change an engine out job?

If you two read every post about every car that has ever broken down you will never buy a car.

[EFA]

Point taken, just I'd be moving from a Volvo S60 which in 145000 miles has never let me down.

I had a Fiat Coupe 20v before and that tainted me on affordable Italian cars a little. Turbo failure, electric fire etc all in the first 30k miles. And a hopeless (now bankcrupt) main dealer to boot.