NC wrote:
> David C wrote:
>
>> "NC" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>
>>> However, some places say the cambelt needs changing only 72k or
>>> sometimes 60k... But you advise 36k.. ??
>>
>>
>>
>> Original change point was 72000miles/120000km/6-years
>> In 2002 this was changed to 36000miles/60000km/3-years.
>
>
> Thanks. Can I assume that if a car is advertised with Full Alfa Service
> History that all this should have been done (depending on mileage) ? (I
> would obviously check before buying !!)
No, I'm afraid not, and it may not be the dealer or the owner's fault.

The cambelt change is a particular problem (AFAIK there are no other
common problems which regular services would miss). The Alfa UK advice
is to "inspect" (I use quotes because I'm not really sure wht this
means, and nor were the the mechanics I spoke to) at 36K miles and
replace *if needed*. The belt must be replaced at 72K miles. I hear a
lot of people say that this advice has changed (including some posts
here), but this is not what 2 dealers and Alfa Romeo UK told me in
February this year. I've checked the web site mentioned in a previous
post and this too refers to the 36K change, but it simply is not so -
maybe it was and now they've changed again, but it is not current
advice. To be clear, the current advice from Alfa that I have been given
in writing is that the cambelt only has to be replaced at 72K miles.

This is too long a distance based on personal experience and that of
others on this NG. My 156 1.6TS cambelt failed at 57K, many others
failed before 72K also. If I were buying a second hand without a
warranty I'd want it replaced if the vehicle had done much over 40K
(ideally it would have been replaced at 36K). If there is still a
warrenty on the vehicle then it's less of a problem, but a belt failing
on a motorway in the dark and the p*ssing rain is no fun regardless of
warranty.

Other than that I can't recommend the Alfa highly enough. Even Alfa
customer services have now got their act together (for example, when my
cambelt failed out of warranty it was still replaced FOC). The 156 is a
really great car to drive, the looks are still stunning (OK, biased view
point I admit). I'm having a hard time deciding whether or not to
replace it with another 156, a GT or maybe wait until the 158... if only
all problems in life were like that

HTH.