We had this Alfa Romeo Giulietta in for a new cambelt and waterpump. The engine is a 1368cc FPT (Fiat Powertrain Technologies) Multiair unit. Based on the stalwart FIRE engine, this clever design was launched in 2009 and offers hydraulically-actuated variable valve timing (VVT) and variable valve lift (VVL) engine technology enabling “cylinder by cylinder, stroke by stroke” control of intake air directly via the engine’s inlet valves. This addresses a primary Otto cycle engine inefficiency: pumping losses caused by restricting intake flow by the throttle butterfly.
The Multiair engine has seen service in the Alfa Romeo Mito and Giulietta, the Fiat 124 Spider and Abarth Spider and 500X. The 500 Abarth uses the T-Jet which is a conventional valvetrain version.
The technology has proved very reliable and this particular car was on 138,000 miles with all original engine and no problems to date.
The cambelt isn’t too difficult to change but does require a special locking tool set to ensure it’s done correctly .
The simplified steps are as follows:
- Remove the engine cover
- Undo and move out the way the radiator expansion tank
- Undo the side timing cover bolts
- Undo the top turbo intake pipe
- Remove the vacuum pump (new gasket required when replacing)
- Remove the myriad fixings holding on the undertray
- Remove the wheel arch liner
- De-tension the aux belt and remove
- Remove the bottom pulley
- Support the engine and remove the engine mount
- Remove the cam cover and pull out the electrical hosing that runs along inside the top.
- Rotate the crank driving gear to align the locating lug with the locating hole on the crank locking tool
- Undo the cam belt tensioner bolt and remove the old cam belt.
- Drain cooling system
- Replace the cambelt and water pump
If you are doing an oil change on these engines don’t forget the Microfilter !! This is critical for long service life of the Multiair system.
