A) BeltS should read belt; you only have one on a TS engine (so that saves
some costs

B) I guess they mean the variator motor, the "thing" that operates the inlet
camshaft
This is a typical Alfa problem dating from the period 1998-mid2000
When defective you will hear a sound as when the hydraulical tippits are
still without oil pressure.
Only difference is that the tippet sound disappears after a few seconds, but
the defective variator sound will remain (sound like a diesel engine)
Nothing will brake or so, only the sound AND the inlet cam shaft will not
"vary" as it should, so you lack some (top)power.
If there is no abnormal sound in the engine, it will hardly be the variator.
All 4-cil TS engines suffered from this problem; those manufactured after
April 2000 are o.k.
Some earlier engines have been "repaired" using a new variator with the same
problenm as the original one so had to be repaired more than once.
Engines from after April 2000 don't have this problem anymore; variators
usually last as long as the engine (200.000km's is normal), but you can be
unlucky when any engine part fails after the official guarantee term!
--
Ciao from Holland
AlfistaGJ (Gert-Jan)
Alfa red 156 SW 1.8 Madeno tuned (2000) (soon: GT 2.0JTS)
Golden Montreal 1428700 (1973/4)



"redTed" > schreef in bericht
...
>A little friendly advice required please.
> A service is due on my 147 and we were aware that the cam belts would need
> replacing and the cost would be quite high. I dropped it off at the
> dealers today (Caledonia-Warrington) and when I called to find out when it
> would be ready, they said there was another problem that needed fixing.
> Something called a "variant" ??
> Now I know the basics of cars mechanics, but this is a new one for me. As
> it will increase the service price by approximately £300, to over £700
> (!!) I would like to know exactly what this part is and why the hell it is
> so expensive. They told me it could be done when the cam belt is changed
> so I'm presuming it's to do with the timing.
> Any info will be much appreciated.
>