[Touringspider]

Anyone have a decent feel for what a professional shop would charge (total parts and labor) for a timing belt replacement on a 1995 164LS? I just got a quote from a reputable shop (not an Alfa specific one, though they have done a number of 164's over the years) and I about fell off my chair. These guys are being very open on where the costs lay, but I just want some data points. Note that they also intend to replace the pulleys, tensioner etc. while they are in there.

Second question is what should you really replace along with the belt, and what can you just leave alone?

TIA

 

[Alfisto Steve]

Do you have history on water pump change and how many miles on it? If not add it, thermostat, two hoses to heads to the list.

You should change along with belt, two idler pulley bearing assemblies and tensioner pulley bearing.

Replace Serpentine belt and inspect two idler pulley bearings.

Inspect closely serpentine belt tensioner shock strut and timing belt tensioner cylinder.

Labor probably about 1K or more.

 

[goats]

Hmm for a budget job

IF MONEY is an issue, more so than potential inconvenience, then I personally would not replace anything in the serp belt circuit unless its obvious that there is an issue (bearings binding, etc). If the serp belt circuit fails, it will almost always give a warning SQUEAL or bearing SQUEAK and even if it fails, it will not result in major damage-- (although you might need a tow home -- but it wont wreck anything).

Water pump? as Steve says when was it changed last? I run mine to every other t - belt change, although I have run one to 95 K miles before replacing. The two little hoses -- leave em alone unless leaking. Tstat-- leave it alone if you leave water pump alone.

T belt -- I do not, as a habit, change anything except the belt unless its a) either old and decrepit, or b) had evidence of an issue. My experience is that even T belt bearings give sufficient notice of issues before they fail with squeaks, squeals, and overall noise. Parts for a tbelt replacement can be as low as 50 bucks (for just the belt) or as high as a grand or more (if you replace water pump/idlers/tensioner bearing/tensioner/cam cover seals/etc etc etc).

Labor -- good shop with 24V car its 5 hours at whatever the rate is if NOT by standard rate manual. So-So shop -- 8 to 10 hours so Steve;s 1K is on that.

thats my view anyway

 

[Amphicar770]

I just had the timing belt replaced on my 24v after last shop did not do the job right. They also needed to do some inspection to figure out why last belt was "walking".

I paid 7 hours labor which came to $630. Add to that $196 for pulley mount, $87 for belt itself.

As others have noted, there may likely be other bearings and bits that get replaced at the same time. While some of these pieces are ridiculous expensive, do not scrimp on the job. Given that a lot of it is labor cost, you do not want to be removing the belt again in 8,000 miles because you ecided to save a few $$ the first time.

D

 

[peglegtom]

As I Recall, I Paid About $850

which included a new water pump and thermostat, idler bearings, etc. I was told that the flat rate is 5 hours. Work was done by an Italian car specialist in Pewaukee, WI.

Hope that helps.

 

[jontg428]

I have heard as much as $1200 for the job. Keep in mind that its a nightmare to get them setup right and actually last and not skip time 10K miles later. One reason why I stick with the old 12 valvers

 

[oz3litre]

This is one of the downsides of the multi-valve engines and one reason why I have so far stuck to my 12 valve. $1,200 is in the ball park I have been told by the Alfa mechanics I know for doing the modern V6s and also the four cylinders, (which have balance shaft bearings that need replacing at the same time), because they are harder to get at and there is a lot more stuff to replace. Some of the later ones came with crappy plastic impellers in the pumps which failed prematurely. I toyed with putting a 24 valve in the 75 but decided to have the original rebuilt instead. The 24 valves are nice engines and I guess you just have to factor in that extra cost if you want it done properly.

 

[veloce49]

I had this (timing belt, tensioner, water pump, related hoses and gaskets) done a few months ago. I had other thing done as well so not certain of cost for that but would appear to be less than $1,000. Done at diFatta Brothers in Baltimore.

 

[AlexGS]

hello here's what i know for the price of replacing the timing belt. the typical cost for replacing this part ranges from $250 - $270. and it will also depends on the labor rate. actually replacing the timing belts takes hours or in six hours. there are hourly rate for $40. but you can save from this prices if you're going to do the replacement by yourself. try to follow this how to replace a timing belt.
1. disconnecting the negative battery cable.
2. removing the distributor cap.
3. using a wrench or socket on the carnakshaft bolt then rotate the engine until the timing mark on the crabkshaft pulley is aligned with the 0degree mark on he timing scale.
4. verifying the distributor rotor is aligned with the index mark on the distributor housing indicating the rotor is in position to fire the number one cylinder.
5. removing any of the components or accessory drive belts that interfere in removing the timing belt cover.
6. remove the bolts or screws holding the timing cover in place, and lift the cover off the engine.
7. check for proper alignment of the crank and camshaft timing marks.
8. loosen the timing belt tensioner
9. loosen the mounting bolt
you can read some other of the guide wikihow.

That sounds like generic advice only just relevant to the Alfa V6 24V.
The main point where it falls down is step 7. There are no cam timing marks. To set the timing accurately (properly) you need cam locking blocks specific to this engine.

Those steps also fail to mention the numerous plastic idlers as well as the tensioner, which will need replacing. The water pump on many 24V V6s has a plastic impeller that sometimes cracks and spins on the shaft, meaning a plastic-impeller pump should always be replaced if found. I doubt Wikihow tells you that

All over the world, it's a four-figure sum to complete this regular servicing task... mainly due to the complexity, special tools, and those stupid plastic pulleys from Germany.

12V V6 is a different ball game with reusable metal tensioner, no idlers, and cam timing marks that can be used with template downloadable from this forum. The only risk with 12V V6 is the tensioner if previously replaced with mechanical type prone to damage if incorrectly installed (few cars in USA seem to have original hydraulic (de)tensioner but most cars outside of USA seem to have this original part, which though it often leaks oil, at least does a good job of maintaining belt tension).

I would happily replace 12V cambelt for $270, but for 24V I'd want $1000 too, if there was to be any guarantee of reliability.

-Alex