rickp101 > wrote:

> I have just taken my 3 year and 2 month old (yep just out of warranty
> ) 147 into my local dealer because the air bag warning light was on.
>
> That wasn't too pricey, just a wiring problem but they have also told
> me that I need new front brake pads, a new handbrake cable and the cam
> variator replacing.
>
> The pads and handbrake cable is fair enough but I am not sure about
> the cam variator. As they quoted me £540 I rang a private Alfa
> specialist garage in Leeds who are going to look at it and if it needs
> doing will do it for £365 + vat which is a bit better.

Still too much, IME.

> Basically before I fork out all this cash is there any way I can tell
> myself if it actually needs doing. Both garages have mentioned that it
> is a big job as you have to remove this and that (I'm no car
> mechanic!) but basically they just said that it is making a noise and
> that is how they can tell it needs replacing.

> Can I check this noise for myself? What am I listening for and when?
> The 2nd garage said the engine needed to be cold for them to tell how
> long it makes a noise for.

The sign of a dying or dead variator is that it makes the engine clatter
like a diesel. It's OK for them to do it for a few seconds from cold,
but any longer than that means it's not working properly.

It's not a job that's urgent to be done, but you'll lose the low down
torque if it's not working.

And yes, the engine does need to be cold to check it properly.

> Also assuming it does need replacing does this price seem fair for the
> work involved? Is there a cheaper option, bearing in mind I know
> nothing about engines so would only consider doing it myself if it
> really is a simple job that I couldn't mess up.

No, you probably couldn't do it yourself. You need to replace all the
belts, including the balancer and cambelt, so it's quite a complex job.
I'm quite happy doing belts on more basic cars, but wouldn't touch the
156.

--
Steve H 'You're not a real petrolhead unless you've owned an Alfa Romeo'
http://www.italiancar.co.uk - Honda VFR800 - MZ ETZ300 - Alfa 75 TSpark
Alfa 156 2.0 TSpark Lusso - Passat 1.8 Turbo SE - COSOC KOTL
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