Repaired Cambelt Failure - Should I consider this 156?

[PtPt]

I've been looking at an otherwise tidy 156 2.0 Twinspark (1999), which I've just found out suffered cambelt failure some 12 months ago. The owner assures me that all repairs were carried out by an Alfa specialist and he can provide documentation to support this. It would appear that the car has since been in active use for the last 12 months - presumably without problems. However, I am unclear as to whether there are any long terms problems associated with a repaired engine - is a complete engine replacement the only real solution? On another car forum (Splitter, Splitter!.....) I saw mention of cambelt failure potentially causing a warped head. However, I can't foresee such a problem going undetected in 12 months of use?

I think the first thing is to check the documentation and see exactly what parts where replaced giving me an indication of how much damage was originally caused. I can't do this until the weekend.

Your advice is appreciated chaps - should I further my interest in this car?

[P700DEE]

Cambelt failure can be catastophic or can actually cause almost no damage. It all depends when it failed and if the engine was turned after the break. Most commonly all that is damaged is a few valves and with a new belt you are back up and running. As you say 12 months running post fix is a good sign but I would still use the failure as a bargaining tool.

[sjg]

Wouldn't bother me. I had similar happen in my 106GTi - ran it for another 18 months after it was fixed and it had never been better. The new owner got an engine that had had a recent thorough internal inspection, new valves, new belts, new tensioner, new water pump, etc.

Cambelt failure is not uncommon on twin-spark Alfas due to the optimistic belt change interval (since dropped from 72k to 36k). Again, I'd find it more reassuring that it had happened and been put right, plus 12 months use would be long enough to show up any issues.

[Alfahorn]

Walk away. My friend has had the cambelt fail on his 147, the car has never been right since. Find a decent car that hasn't had this problem, they are out there.

[Pwig]

It's very common for them to have snapped early. I wouldn't worry as long as it's been done well.

[PtPt]

Thanks for a advice guys. From a conversation with the seller, the failure occured while the car was stationary at a junction. The repair consisted of 10 replacement valves - no damage to the guides or head.

I've decided the only way to really tell, is to go and drive it - obvious really!

Other than that, the car is is fantastic condition and I'm really looking forward to getting behind the wheel of my first Alfa!

Once again, cheers

[Zombie]

If they're going to fail again after a cambelt its generally within 500 miles. A big hit can flatspot the big end bearings leading to the bottom end failing. After 12months its pretty much guarenteed to be okay.

http://forum.alfa156.net/forum

(I'm Chris155 over there)

[Avocet]

My wife's did 8 of its valves a few years ago when the belt snapped. I did the work myself and it's been fine ever since. It burns more oil than it used to though. I think that's either because I might have damaged the new stem seals refitting the valves or because the new stem seals were lousy quality aftermarket ones. Either way it's within Alfa's prescribed limits so I'm not bothered.

I've heard about the bottom end failures on the other forum too but I have to say I don't really believe it. - maybe if the head of a valve came off and got trapped on its edge between the piston and head, perhaps, but other than that, quite hard to envisage!

[Will_P]

Zombie said:

If they're going to fail again after a cambelt its generally within 500 miles. A big hit can flatspot the big end bearings leading to the bottom end failing. After 12months its pretty much guarenteed to be okay.

http://forum.alfa156.net/forum

(I'm Chris155 over there)

Sound advice.

Give it a test drive, you know you want to!

[wrinx]

The bottom end is the only worry, it usually shows within a few thousand miles though.

Check how many miles the car has done in the past year, I think it should be ok as the impact, whilst stationary, will be less worrying due to reduced engine speed.

wrinx