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NZ Alfa resources???

5K views 21 replies 9 participants last post by  russiansteel 
#1 ·
I just moved to NZ recently (again - lived here ten years ago) and just bought my first Alfa! I am in ChCh.

I have always done all of my own mechanical work, so I need some advice on where to go for spare parts, accessories, etc.

For basic stuff, who is best, Repco, Butlers, Supercheap ???? Supercheap didn't seem so cheap when Smith's City has carb cleaner for $3.00 less.

What about real Alfa / dealer only parts? Do I go to Euromarque? Or are there other sources? What about special tools like cam locks? Yes, I wll be doing my timing belt soon. Are there any good on line suppliers? It seems like they are all in Europe.

Are any of you members of the local Alfa owners club? Is the club active, whith weekend cruises, etc? I am thinking of joining in the new year.

Thanks in advance for the help.
 
#2 ·
I am only an hour down the road in Ashburton if you need anything.
What type of alfa did you get?
For general stuff i go to BNT then maybe to repco.
Specific parts i get shipped in from IAP in USA. Exchange rate is good at the moment.

Good luck with the alfa.
 
#5 ·
For servicing go to my old workshop Italtune in Antigua Street, just off the corner (town side) of Moorhouse Avenue. They can supply parts also but for that late an alfa EB Spares in the UK is pretty good.
Keep an eye on Smiths City I`ve picked up some bargains there -the odd tool, and consumables such as CRC products etc .
 
#6 ·
Wow Richard, you have quite a collection there.

Right now I am going to get the parts / tools together to to the cam belt. I got a quote from Speed, and am going to get a quote from EB. They sure are proud of that tensioner, $345.00. Is there anyone around that would have the cam locks and TDC tool for hire or loan?
 
#7 ·
I've just ordered the cam locks and TDC tool from Jamie Porter in the UK. The water pump has gone on my 156 so it's a full belts off job. I'd be happy to loan you the tools once I've finished - probably in the new year
Parts Plus in Wellington seem to have access to most common parts for 156s at better prices than the main dealers.
 
#8 ·
Lo Fo SI,

I appricate the offer on the locks and TDC tool. I just moved from the US, so I am shelling out $$$ like crazy. House, car, furniture, appliances, etc. It would be a help not to have to shell out another couple hundred for tools right now.

I am normally in the mode of buying tools that I need since I do my own work. So if I don't bite the bullet on these, I will take you up on the offer.

How many Kms before that water pump gave up? I was not planning on replacing mine since the labour (me) is cheap if I have to do it later. I haven't noticed any heating problems, so hopfully I don't have the plastic impeller. I took it for a hard run over the port hills yesterday. Nice handling and a great sound.
 
#9 ·
The car has done just under 100,000 km and is in pretty good condition for a 12 year old Alfa. I only bought it 4 months ago(because my wife didn't want another car that "you spend all your time fixing"!) The PO had belts etc changed at ~ 70,000 but the pump was not changed :( so this will be an expensive water pump.
The pump appeared to fail pretty quickly as it was fine on a run over the Rimutakas two weeks ago but started to over heat in about 10kms of 100 km/h driving on Tuesday.

Simon
 
#10 ·
You could put a dial guage down the no.1 cylinder to establish TDC couldn`t you?
Then get a white indelible marker pen before dismantling to mark everything, a little bit of steel bar and hacksaw and file to make a cam lock and you should be home and hosed. Generally though my mechanics never used any cam locking tools, nor have I. Most cars I have had anything to do with that had cambelts (including my flat 12 Ferrari) never really required these tools. You just take your time, check, check again, then recheck. 156`s only have the same V6 as 116 GTV6`s don`t they?
 
#11 ·
Richard - You are right. That is how I've done cam belts on 164s in the past. Didn't even use a dial gauge - just a length of dowel and sensitive fingers! to get TDC. The 156 is supposedly more fragile and is a quad cam with less engagement between belts and pulleys - I'm probably being over cautious in using all the bells and whistles but it can't hurt.

Simon
 
#12 ·
Regarding the tensioner I presume you are concerned with the bearing itself/ why can`t you identify the bearing or at least its size and obtain just this from SKF or one of the other bearing suppliers. A local engineering firm can press it out and press in the replacement. I`ve done this several times-you save heaps.
 
#13 ·
I have done several cam belts before, but never on an Alfa. The TDC tool is just a long extension for the dial indicator that threads into the spark plug threads. I am sure that a DIY is possible for that.

The cam locks - I also thought, why can't everything be marked before the old belt comes off? Every other car I have had has had marks on the cam pullies and a line on the belt. Set at TDC, off with the old, line the marks up as you put the new belt on, and set the tension. Everything I have read about the 156 has said that the cam locks are a must. So I quess that has me a little nervous.

Interesting thought on the tensioner. I would imagine that bearing failure is the concern. Has anyone heard of the spring failing?
 
#14 ·
I think if you are experienced and take the approprite care I would be surprised that the cam locks are absolutely necessary-if this is the case it would be unique in the car world. I can imagine it would make life easier and in a commercial environment where getting the job done as quickly as possible is a must it would make the cambelt change a lot quicker. I bet though it can be done without all these special tools by just using good trade practice. confidence is the big stumbling block of course.
 
#15 ·
I think you are right. I think proper marking and counting belt teeth between cams would do it. Speed of the installation is not an issue. I have never used cam locks on anything else, and an engine is an engine to some extent.

I am sure a dowel and my dial indicator wil be fine for TDC. I have used a screwdiver in the hole on Ford V8s. (I just thought Italian cars needed something more sophisticated) ;-)

Hmmm, now that my in-laws have seen my Alfa, they are looking at one. I may be in for two cam belt changes.
 
#16 ·
Hi guys , I can get pretty much anything alfa for pretty much every model , have plenty of great contacts that I have built up over the last 15 years or so ...
pm me or email absolutelyalfa at snap dot net dot nz ... brake disks and pads , cam belts tensioners etc etc , also parting out a few different models .

service and repair work is also a go ...

cheers Richard
 
#17 ·
Cam locks not totally necessary

Friend owns a shop specialising in Alfa/Fiat and would do 2-5 156 belts a week without the cam locking tool. Not sure how as I never have paid attention. Take care with non OEM waterpumps. If its got a plastic impeller DONT put it in. They crack and stop roatating on the shaft showing very strange problems, ie overheating but not loosing water
 
#18 ·
if anyone is into older alfas i may have just scored a whole lot of alfa original workshop manuals. Sprint, 33, 75, alfetta, spyder, 164, 164 super. Im keeping the 75 and alfetta stuff, everything else is up for grabs once i pick them up.
 
#19 ·
Thanks for that nice little bit of info Mark , have started seeing plastic on a few boxer pumps as well ... guess they will have the same problem ..

that's a whole lota 156 cambelts ..... what's the service schedule for them now ? . down to about 40k or still 60 ... yikes
 
#20 ·
I have heard that to, i had an interesting experience with a non oem tensioner for a fiat brava, was stuffed from new. Oem is definately the way to go. I have the miss pleasure of doing a 24 valve 3ltr soon to, luckily its out of the car, lol i have heard of 147 with only 69,000km on them fully dismantalling them selves because the cam belt wasnt done at 60,000. That was a twin spark.
 
#21 ·
Avalanche325 you have a pm regarding tools.

Having now done the pump and belts on the 156 v6, you certainly could do it without the locks but they do make it easier, especially for checking that it's all OK after turning over a few times.
 
#22 ·
a bit of thread resurrection, but i figured i ll try my luck here first.
basically just bought 16V TS 155 which is overdue for cambelt and variator change - the car came with all the spares AND cam lock - except the tool is for 1.6L 16V TS.
it'd be good if anyone wants to swap with mine for whatever reason (perhaps they bought 145/6 etc) or willing to loan me 2L tool at some stage.
cheers
 
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