Lancia Thema IE 16V S.W.: replacement of all the belts

[Francesco]

Dear Lancisti!

Two years ago, l bought a Lancia Thema IE 16V S.W. (produced in late 1989 or in spring 1990) with 83'750 miles on the clock. Today, the clock shows 26'800 miles more ! Before my buying, the seller changed all the 5 belts (belt for the camshafts, belt for the counter-rotating balance shafts and the 3 belts for alternator/waterpump, servopump and clima-compressor). When l asked the Lancia-garages when l must replace the belts, l received, and l can't believe it, realy contradicting opinions (yes !!). Some said, replacement at 25'000 miles (belts for the camshafts and the counter-rotating balance shafts), others said changing this 2 very import belts is sufficient at 50'000/60'000 miles. My drivers-handbook is in this point absolutely not clear !! l will not destroy the motor, but l will not spend money needless !

Now, for me it is not clear what l must do !! What is your opinion and what are your experiences ??
Can you help me ??

With the best greetings and thanks !

Francesco

[Angle Grinder]

The series 2 cars (such as yours) were initially manufactured with an inherently weak timing belt that was known to snap at very low miles, sometimes even as low as 12,000 miles. This was rectified with a redesign of the teeth on the belt and the pulleys. Later belts have a wider tooth with a groove in the middle and the chances are high that you will have had this modification done.

I tend to play safe and go for a belt change at 30K miles. I start feeling nervous about the belt at about 25K and anything over 30K miles, feels like living on borrowed time.

BUT, after saying all of that, I know of cars with 50K done on the same belt. There is a large element of luck involved.

As important as the belts are the condition of the bearings in the tensioners that the belts run over. These often cause belt failure by seizing. You should check receipts to see if the 3 tensioner bearings were changed at the last service too. Worn bearings can often been heard as a whirr or a ticking noise from behind the cam belt cover.

A very good guide on changing belts is available at:
http://www.evoforum.net/workshop/cambeltguide.pdf

[Ronald]

Change them! It isn't worth the trouble if the old belt brake's... It cost a lot of money, but a new engine cost's a lot more!

I would say 50.000 km, (not miles!) or 3 years.

[Francesco]

Dear Angle Grinder , dear Lancista!

Thank you very much for your real engagement and your answer which come in very rapid ! l see, for being at the safe side l must change belts and bearings every 30'000 miles and l will do so, then the car is a real wonder, absolutely reliable, comfortable and with a super-road-holding ! And a autostrada-burner; he eats the miles like a jet ! And without any rust !

With the best greetings from Switzerland !

Francesco

[Francesco]

Dear Ronald !

Thank you very much for your answer and your engagement !

Changing belts and bearings at latest every 50'000 km (approx. 30'000 miles) is the same opinion given by Angle Grinder. l see, you are Thema-specialist and l must learn and learn. Before the Thema my family was and is driving since 1978 only Lancias (Flaminia GT 3 C and Pininfarina) and Betas (excl. the Montecarlo). My wife is driving every day her Lancia Beta Coupé 2000 IE. All in all, we drove approx. 800'000 km with the Lancias and only with the best experiences (peanuts except) !!

With many thanks and the best greetings !

Francesco

[Angle Grinder]

Francesco,

Your welcome! I've been running the same 1991 16v Thema since 1996 and it now has 179,000 miles on the clock (286,000 Km). I've learnt about the cars during the last 10 yrs and 114K miles.

In addition to the 16v, I also had an 8v Turbo which was one of the most reliable and fast cars ever. You just had to touch the ignition key and the car would start, no hesitation, no churning... just instant ignition and smooth idling. Sadly that great car had to be sold to help finance a business venture, but it now has a very attentive new owner.

I'm on the look out now for a good non-turbo Thema, so please let me know if you see any good examples for sale in Switzerland.

Cheers
Mike (a.k.a Angle Grinder)

[Paddy]

I believe that it is more critical when changing belts to tension them carefully with the Lancia tool in the correct sequence if you want reliability in the camshaft/anti-balance belts. I know of guys who have used other methods and had the belts lasted for 20k or less miles. Having had three Themas turbos over the years I change them at 50k. The current Thema has only 150k on it. The only problem I've had with belts was an idler tensioner bearing sieze on the anti-balance belt causing it to snap and the engine to vibrate like you would not believe.

[Brian Hilton]

I'm A bit late on this one, but On one of my 1993 Ser3 16v VIS Autos, I had a belt that had been replaced about a year previously, broke at 18,000 Miles,this on a car fitted with the new belt set up from new, no drama,the engine just died,I think it was a faulty belt as it had broken diagonally,net result 8 bent valves, much to my surprise LC Motors in Newport South Wales got Lancia to cough up £800 of a £1000 bill!

I also think that 16v engines are much more prone to breaking than the 8v, is it due to all the extra valve components, belt always looks under spec to me compared to 8v/

brian

[john palmer]

hi ive recently aquired a thema turbo series 2 and upon checkin the cond of cambelt i noticed their is no belt on the balancer shafts have been informed by a specialists mechanic the car will run fine with out it and not worry as this it the cause of the cambelt coming off as the balance shaft belt is the ont to let go first and it also robs horsepower, pls tell me your thoughts and advice??????

regards john