Ouch! That hurt....

Halmyre <no.spam.RemoveThis@this.address> wrote:

> In article <1id8lll.1mqe8amxe2gvbN%steve@italiancar.co.uk>,
> steve.RemoveThis@italiancar.co.uk says...
> > Just paid the bill for the 'big' cambelt service and MOT on the 156.
> >
> > Anyone care to guess on the size of the bill?
> >
> > (Cambelt, 60k service (minus plugs, they were done last time) and MOT)
> >
> > 'Prace bets now!'
> >
> >
>
> £600.

<Brucie mode>
Lower, Lower!

Total cost was £388.

Not *too* bad - but the 75 goes in this week, too....
--
SteveH 'You're not a real petrolhead unless you've owned an Alfa Romeo'
www.italiancar.co.uk - Honda VFR800 - Hongdou GY200 - Alfa 75 TSpark
Alfa 156 TSpark - B6 Passat 2.0TDI SE - COSOC KOTL
BOTAFOT #87 - BOTAFOF #18 - MRO # - UKRMSBC #7 - Apostle #2 - YTC #
 >> Stay informed about: Ouch! That hurt.... 

SteveH wrote:
> Halmyre <no.spam.DeleteThis@this.address> wrote:
>
>> In article <1id8lll.1mqe8amxe2gvbN%steve@italiancar.co.uk>,
>> steve.DeleteThis@italiancar.co.uk says...
>>> Just paid the bill for the 'big' cambelt service and MOT on the 156.
>>>
>>> Anyone care to guess on the size of the bill?
>>>
>>> (Cambelt, 60k service (minus plugs, they were done last time) and MOT)
>>>
>>> 'Prace bets now!'
>>>
>>>
>> £600.
>
> <Brucie mode>
> Lower, Lower!
>
> Total cost was £388.
>
> Not *too* bad - but the 75 goes in this week, too....


Is that at an independent?? I'm guessing so.

Is it a petrol or diesel?
 >> Stay informed about: Ouch! That hurt.... 

Jim <madonspam DeleteThis @gmail.com> wrote:

> SteveH wrote:
> > Halmyre <no.spam DeleteThis @this.address> wrote:
> >
> >> In article <1id8lll.1mqe8amxe2gvbN%steve@italiancar.co.uk>,
> >> steve DeleteThis @italiancar.co.uk says...
> >>> Just paid the bill for the 'big' cambelt service and MOT on the 156.
> >>>
> >>> Anyone care to guess on the size of the bill?
> >>>
> >>> (Cambelt, 60k service (minus plugs, they were done last time) and MOT)
> >>>
> >>> 'Prace bets now!'
> >>>
> >>>
> >> £600.
> >
> > <Brucie mode>
> > Lower, Lower!
> >
> > Total cost was £388.
> >
> > Not *too* bad - but the 75 goes in this week, too....
>
>
> Is that at an independent?? I'm guessing so.
>
> Is it a petrol or diesel?

Indie, for a 2lt TSpark. The timing and balance belt kits are around 150
quid alone.
--
SteveH 'You're not a real petrolhead unless you've owned an Alfa Romeo'
www.italiancar.co.uk - Honda VFR800 - Hongdou GY200 - Alfa 75 TSpark
Alfa 156 TSpark - B6 Passat 2.0TDI SE - COSOC KOTL
BOTAFOT #87 - BOTAFOF #18 - MRO # - UKRMSBC #7 - Apostle #2 - YTC #
 >> Stay informed about: Ouch! That hurt.... 

SteveH wrote:
> Jim <madonspam.DeleteThis@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> SteveH wrote:
>>> Halmyre <no.spam.DeleteThis@this.address> wrote:
>>>
>>>> In article <1id8lll.1mqe8amxe2gvbN%steve@italiancar.co.uk>,
>>>> steve.DeleteThis@italiancar.co.uk says...
>>>>> Just paid the bill for the 'big' cambelt service and MOT on the 156.
>>>>>
>>>>> Anyone care to guess on the size of the bill?
>>>>>
>>>>> (Cambelt, 60k service (minus plugs, they were done last time) and MOT)
>>>>>
>>>>> 'Prace bets now!'
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>> £600.
>>> <Brucie mode>
>>> Lower, Lower!
>>>
>>> Total cost was £388.
>>>
>>> Not *too* bad - but the 75 goes in this week, too....
>>
>> Is that at an independent?? I'm guessing so.
>>
>> Is it a petrol or diesel?
>
> Indie, for a 2lt TSpark. The timing and balance belt kits are around 150
> quid alone.


So is that first new cam belt or second??
 >> Stay informed about: Ouch! That hurt.... 

Jim <madonspam.DeleteThis@gmail.com> wrote:

> > Indie, for a 2lt TSpark. The timing and balance belt kits are around 150
> > quid alone.
>
>
> So is that first new cam belt or second??

4th.
--
SteveH 'You're not a real petrolhead unless you've owned an Alfa Romeo'
www.italiancar.co.uk - Honda VFR800 - Hongdou GY200 - Alfa 75 TSpark
Alfa 156 TSpark - B6 Passat 2.0TDI SE - COSOC KOTL
BOTAFOT #87 - BOTAFOF #18 - MRO # - UKRMSBC #7 - Apostle #2 - YTC #
 >> Stay informed about: Ouch! That hurt.... 

In article <1id8nej.i85myk1u6gc7xN%steve@italiancar.co.uk>,
steve.TakeThisOut@italiancar.co.uk says...
> Halmyre <no.spam.TakeThisOut@this.address> wrote:
>
> > In article <1id8lll.1mqe8amxe2gvbN%steve@italiancar.co.uk>,
> > steve.TakeThisOut@italiancar.co.uk says...
> > > Just paid the bill for the 'big' cambelt service and MOT on the 156.
> > >
> > > Anyone care to guess on the size of the bill?
> > >
> > > (Cambelt, 60k service (minus plugs, they were done last time) and MOT)
> > >
> > > 'Prace bets now!'
> > >
> > >
> >
> > £600.
>
> <Brucie mode>
> Lower, Lower!
>
> Total cost was £388.
>
> Not *too* bad - but the 75 goes in this week, too....
>

<drops jaw>

Who do you have to shag to get it at that price?

--
Halmyre

That's you that is.
 >> Stay informed about: Ouch! That hurt.... 

Halmyre <no.spam.RemoveThis@this.address> wrote:

> > > £600.
> >
> > <Brucie mode>
> > Lower, Lower!
> >
> > Total cost was £388.
> >
> > Not *too* bad - but the 75 goes in this week, too....
> >
>
> <drops jaw>
>
> Who do you have to shag to get it at that price?

Local, trusted, mechanic.

Works from a run-down back-street garage.

£30 / hour labour and a good parts supply.

Really nice bloke - if anyone is near-ish to South Wales, I'm happy to
pass on his details.

I did have some reservations, however, he's done every job / service on
my Alfas since we moved here and also did a cambelt on a VW 1.8T engine,
which is equally as complicated and fragile in this respect, so I
entrusted the job to him.
--
SteveH 'You're not a real petrolhead unless you've owned an Alfa Romeo'
www.italiancar.co.uk - Honda VFR800 - Hongdou GY200 - Alfa 75 TSpark
Alfa 156 TSpark - B6 Passat 2.0TDI SE - COSOC KOTL
BOTAFOT #87 - BOTAFOF #18 - MRO # - UKRMSBC #7 - Apostle #2 - YTC #
 >> Stay informed about: Ouch! That hurt.... 

SteveH wrote:
> Jim <madonspam.DeleteThis@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>>> Indie, for a 2lt TSpark. The timing and balance belt kits are around 150
>>> quid alone.
>>
>> So is that first new cam belt or second??
>
> 4th.


Supercautious!!
 >> Stay informed about: Ouch! That hurt.... 

Jim <madonspam.TakeThisOut@gmail.com> wrote:

> SteveH wrote:
> > Jim <madonspam.TakeThisOut@gmail.com> wrote:
> >
> >>> Indie, for a 2lt TSpark. The timing and balance belt kits are around 150
> >>> quid alone.
> >>
> >> So is that first new cam belt or second??
> >
> > 4th.
>
>
> Supercautious!!

Not really, it's 9 years and 128k miles old.

This belt change was done about a month and 10k miles ahead of schedule,
though.

The first 2 changes were done on a mileage basis, the 3rd and 4th at 6
and 9 years. Which is what the revised schedule advises.

I'd rather err on the side of caution, than have to find a recon.
engine.
--
SteveH 'You're not a real petrolhead unless you've owned an Alfa Romeo'
www.italiancar.co.uk - Honda VFR800 - Hongdou GY200 - Alfa 75 TSpark
Alfa 156 TSpark - B6 Passat 2.0TDI SE - COSOC KOTL
BOTAFOT #87 - BOTAFOF #18 - MRO # - UKRMSBC #7 - Apostle #2 - YTC #
 >> Stay informed about: Ouch! That hurt.... 

SteveH wrote:
> Jim <madonspam RemoveThis @gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> SteveH wrote:
>>> Jim <madonspam RemoveThis @gmail.com> wrote:
>>>
>>>>> Indie, for a 2lt TSpark. The timing and balance belt kits are around 150
>>>>> quid alone.
>>>> So is that first new cam belt or second??
>>> 4th.
>>
>> Supercautious!!
>
> Not really, it's 9 years and 128k miles old.
>
> This belt change was done about a month and 10k miles ahead of schedule,
> though.
>
> The first 2 changes were done on a mileage basis, the 3rd and 4th at 6
> and 9 years. Which is what the revised schedule advises.
>
> I'd rather err on the side of caution, than have to find a recon.
> engine.
Sorry to bang on......but does that mean your first one was at 72000K
and the others at 36?

I have a JTD which is coming up to three years old. Only done 15000 and
not sure when it's due. I should use it more!! I save it for best!
 >> Stay informed about: Ouch! That hurt.... 

Jim <madonspam.TakeThisOut@gmail.com> wrote:

> SteveH wrote:
> > Jim <madonspam.TakeThisOut@gmail.com> wrote:
> >
> >> SteveH wrote:
> >>> Jim <madonspam.TakeThisOut@gmail.com> wrote:
> >>>
> >>>>> Indie, for a 2lt TSpark. The timing and balance belt kits are around 150
> >>>>> quid alone.
> >>>> So is that first new cam belt or second??
> >>> 4th.
> >>
> >> Supercautious!!
> >
> > Not really, it's 9 years and 128k miles old.
> >
> > This belt change was done about a month and 10k miles ahead of schedule,
> > though.
> >
> > The first 2 changes were done on a mileage basis, the 3rd and 4th at 6
> > and 9 years. Which is what the revised schedule advises.
> >
> > I'd rather err on the side of caution, than have to find a recon.
> > engine.
> Sorry to bang on......but does that mean your first one was at 72000K
> and the others at 36?
>
> I have a JTD which is coming up to three years old. Only done 15000 and
> not sure when it's due. I should use it more!! I save it for best!

Erm, from memory.

36k, 72k, 113k and 128k. Ish.

JTDs are much more tolerant of belt changes, but, at 3 years old, I'd be
seriously considering having it done.

Is yours a 1.9 or 2.4? - 2.4s are known to last, but they're also a bit
tricky to change. Not sure about the 1.9, but they're peanuts to change
at an indie.
--
SteveH 'You're not a real petrolhead unless you've owned an Alfa Romeo'
www.italiancar.co.uk - Honda VFR800 - Hongdou GY200 - Alfa 75 TSpark
Alfa 156 TSpark - B6 Passat 2.0TDI SE - COSOC KOTL
BOTAFOT #87 - BOTAFOF #18 - MRO # - UKRMSBC #7 - Apostle #2 - YTC #
 >> Stay informed about: Ouch! That hurt.... 

SteveH wrote:
> Jim <madonspam DeleteThis @gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> SteveH wrote:
>>> Jim <madonspam DeleteThis @gmail.com> wrote:
>>>
>>>> SteveH wrote:
>>>>> Jim <madonspam DeleteThis @gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>>> Indie, for a 2lt TSpark. The timing and balance belt kits are around 150
>>>>>>> quid alone.
>>>>>> So is that first new cam belt or second??
>>>>> 4th.
>>>> Supercautious!!
>>> Not really, it's 9 years and 128k miles old.
>>>
>>> This belt change was done about a month and 10k miles ahead of schedule,
>>> though.
>>>
>>> The first 2 changes were done on a mileage basis, the 3rd and 4th at 6
>>> and 9 years. Which is what the revised schedule advises.
>>>
>>> I'd rather err on the side of caution, than have to find a recon.
>>> engine.
>> Sorry to bang on......but does that mean your first one was at 72000K
>> and the others at 36?
>>
>> I have a JTD which is coming up to three years old. Only done 15000 and
>> not sure when it's due. I should use it more!! I save it for best!
>
> Erm, from memory.
>
> 36k, 72k, 113k and 128k. Ish.
>
> JTDs are much more tolerant of belt changes, but, at 3 years old, I'd be
> seriously considering having it done.
>
> Is yours a 1.9 or 2.4? - 2.4s are known to last, but they're also a bit
> tricky to change. Not sure about the 1.9, but they're peanuts to change
> at an indie.


Thanks for your advice. I'm grateful.

Jim
 >> Stay informed about: Ouch! That hurt.... 

"SteveH" <steve RemoveThis @italiancar.co.uk> wrote in message
news:1id8nej.i85myk1u6gc7xN%steve@italiancar.co.uk...
> Halmyre <no.spam RemoveThis @this.address> wrote:
>
>> In article <1id8lll.1mqe8amxe2gvbN%steve@italiancar.co.uk>,
>> steve RemoveThis @italiancar.co.uk says...
>> > Just paid the bill for the 'big' cambelt service and MOT on the 156.
>> >
>> > Anyone care to guess on the size of the bill?
>> >
>> > (Cambelt, 60k service (minus plugs, they were done last time) and MOT)
>> >
>> > 'Prace bets now!'
>> >
>> >
>>
>> £600.
>
> <Brucie mode>
> Lower, Lower!
>
> Total cost was £388.

Crikey. Mine was over £700 (Alfa dealer).
 >> Stay informed about: Ouch! That hurt....