Paul Woodsford wrote:

> Anyone have any advice on how to proceed?
> Should I insist on a replacement engine or accept a rebuild? Should I insist
> on a guarantee letter from Alfa/The Dealer if the engine is rebuilt?
> Tearful Alfa owner''''''''''''''

If it had happened to my car, I would remove the head/top to
inspect for any signs of contact between pistons and valves. If
there were signs of contact, I would replace the injured valve(s)
and have the head compression tested. If the piston(s) had any
sign of damage, I would change them too. Also, I would replace the
crankshaft bearings, but that might just be me being hysterical?
If there was no signs of contact, I would still have the head
compression tested, just in case my eye missed something. After
reassembly, I would run a compression test on the engine.

Now, you could be so lucky that nothing made contact and the
engine just needs a new cam belt plus fixed whatever made the
cambelt snap. You could choose just to replace the cam belt and
then run a compression test on the engine. If all four cylinders
has the same compression, you could be okay.

Ask the shop what they normally do in a situation like this, and
ask all of the important questions like "how" and "why".. Ask them
to save the parts they replace, sound curious and interested in
how the parts look, it gives you a chance to check how much work
they actually did. When the car is done, have them run a
compression test while you watch, it takes roughly 5 minutes - all
they have to do is take out the spark plugs, fit a hose with a
manometer into every hole and run the engine on the starter. The
manometer then shows how much pressure each cylinder produces and
the results should be within 0,5 bar/7 psi in difference of each
other on a new engine like that.

As for the guarantee, I'm not sure how much you can get them to
promise, but do make them sign a letter that says that on october
this-and-that they got the car with a broken cam belt and now they
mean the car is okay again. Record the mileage too. They can't
promise you that the car will run trouble free for ever more, so
just get a letter explaining what they have done and that they
think it solved the problem. If later the car gets any related
throubles, that letter will be great to have.

--
Hygge..
Thomas

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