156 2.5 V6, cambelt snapped this morning - what next?
156 2.5 V6, cambelt snapped this morning - what next?
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toxicated

Original Poster:

718 posts

242 months

Monday 27th September 2010
quotequote all
My very, very happy little Alfa came slightly unstuck this morning and the RAC man diagnosed it as a snapped cambelt. All happened at very low speeds but the garage is talking in excess of £2000! They've not confirmed it yet but I'm nervous.

Assuming they are right, what's the best thing to do with it? It's an 02 plate, 103,000 miles in otherwise great nick. So scrap it, flog it on ebay or something else?

redgriff500

28,982 posts

292 months

Monday 27th September 2010
quotequote all
Either drop in a used engine or stick it on Ebay for someone with the ability to do so to buy it.

EDLT

15,421 posts

235 months

Monday 27th September 2010
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How much is a replacement engine?

If you are sure there is nothing else wrong with the car then get it fixed. You could spend £2000 on a new car and have problems six months down the line.

RicksAlfas

14,517 posts

273 months

Tuesday 28th September 2010
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Stick a used engine in - but change the belt first!

rhysenna

689 posts

215 months

Tuesday 28th September 2010
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Had this on mine but it was the belt tensioner that failed. Had mine done, top end rebuild, for 1500 quid. Think you can get a second hand engine for about 600. Normally you would pay about 600 for a belt change inc tensioners etc but I wouldn't expect it to be that much if the second hand engine was already out for the work to be done. So you might be looking at about 1200.

redstu

2,287 posts

268 months

Tuesday 28th September 2010
quotequote all
How many years and how many miles since it was last changed?

davepoth

29,395 posts

228 months

Tuesday 28th September 2010
quotequote all
Second hand engine looks to be a better option. With it out of the car it will slash the amount that fitting a new cambelt will cost since so much of the cost of fitting will be taking the car apart to get to the timing gear.

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

Just googled Alfa 156 V6 Timing Belt. £400 doesn't sound too bad...


toxicated

Original Poster:

718 posts

242 months

Tuesday 28th September 2010
quotequote all
Thanks for the help!

I've had a quote for a full engine at £587.50 delivered but can you give me some guidance on what else I need? I've got a vague idea how to drive a car but diddly on how to make them work.

Is it simply a case of getting the garage to take one engine out and putting the replacement one in? Roughly how many hours labour and what bits are needed to join the engine to the car? I assume from a post above I'll need a cam belt, but is there anything else?

Also is buying a used engine simply pot luck? It's guaranteed for 2 months but there's no way of knowing mileage etc. What do I disclose when I sell the car?


redstu

2,287 posts

268 months

Tuesday 28th September 2010
quotequote all
redstu said:
How many years and how many miles since it was last changed?
did it have a service history and when was the last time the cambelt was changed?

davepoth

29,395 posts

228 months

Tuesday 28th September 2010
quotequote all
toxicated said:
Thanks for the help!

I've had a quote for a full engine at £587.50 delivered but can you give me some guidance on what else I need? I've got a vague idea how to drive a car but diddly on how to make them work.

Is it simply a case of getting the garage to take one engine out and putting the replacement one in? Roughly how many hours labour and what bits are needed to join the engine to the car? I assume from a post above I'll need a cam belt, but is there anything else?

Also is buying a used engine simply pot luck? It's guaranteed for 2 months but there's no way of knowing mileage etc. What do I disclose when I sell the car?
Tricky question really, you'd need to ask the garage how many hours to sort it. Bit steep for the engine as well.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ALFA-2-5-V6-ENGINE-/28056738...


Geoff Stilwell

679 posts

204 months

Tuesday 28th September 2010
quotequote all
A big bill i suspect

toxicated

Original Poster:

718 posts

242 months

Tuesday 28th September 2010
quotequote all
redstu said:
redstu said:
How many years and how many miles since it was last changed?
did it have a service history and when was the last time the cambelt was changed?
Sorry, missed that. Yes it has a service history. Last cambelt was approx 35k ago

RobCrezz

7,892 posts

237 months

Tuesday 28th September 2010
quotequote all
Make sure you google the name of the place selling the engine before you buy, known people to buy engines that are half dead as "refurbished".

redstu

2,287 posts

268 months

Tuesday 28th September 2010
quotequote all
35 k on a v6 cambelt doesn't seem like much, I think they are supposed to do 48 or maybe more.
Seems you have been unlucky.
I'd suggest posting on alfaowner.com as someone there should have an idea of fitting time/cost for the engine.
Good luck.

bazking69

8,620 posts

219 months

Tuesday 28th September 2010
quotequote all
Buy a used Alfa engine from a breaker???? You must be joking. Buy a recon engine or don't bother. I know of 2 people who have bought Alfa engines from breakers and both have been more knackered than the ones they were replacing...

Put it on ebay as spares or repairs. Price it sensibly though or it will never get a look in over all the other ones.

Justin S

3,658 posts

290 months

Tuesday 28th September 2010
quotequote all
Mate has a garage and doesnt do cambelts and head jobs on Alfas, been stung in the past, so either a good low mileage replacement or a recon engine..............

Hip2Bsquare

15,169 posts

263 months

Tuesday 28th September 2010
quotequote all
toxicated said:
Thanks for the help!

I've had a quote for a full engine at £587.50 delivered but can you give me some guidance on what else I need? I've got a vague idea how to drive a car but diddly on how to make them work.

Is it simply a case of getting the garage to take one engine out and putting the replacement one in? Roughly how many hours labour and what bits are needed to join the engine to the car? I assume from a post above I'll need a cam belt, but is there anything else?

Also is buying a used engine simply pot luck? It's guaranteed for 2 months but there's no way of knowing mileage etc. What do I disclose when I sell the car?
I'd consider a new water pump and if it's a manual, a new clutch at the same time.
You should be good for a few years.

Lovely cars and a nice engine = worth doing!

Try and buy a warranted engine though!

anonymous-user

83 months

Tuesday 28th September 2010
quotequote all
redstu said:
35 k on a v6 cambelt doesn't seem like much, I think they are supposed to do 48 or maybe more.
Seems you have been unlucky.
I know a problem people have with the Twinsparks is a garage replacing the belt but not the tensioners, which can later shatter.

Fastra

4,289 posts

238 months

Wednesday 29th September 2010
quotequote all
There's a few knocking about on ebay - not sure on exact matches to your spec though.

This one is from an Alfa specialist for £400 - 70k miles on it:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Alfa-Romeo-2-5-V6-Engine-RED...

Perhaps ring them to get a reduced price including fitting??

There's another one here with on 48k for £600 - although they are open to offers.
Its in Preston though so you've got fitting and delivery to sort out.

smile

redgriff500

28,982 posts

292 months

Wednesday 29th September 2010
quotequote all
Ideally get the garage who are fitting the engine to source it.

Then if there is any cock ups its up to them to correct it.

Personally I'd only buy an engine that I could see / hear running first it also means you can check the mileage.

AVOID the 'engine reconditioners' IME 99% of them are total conmen.