MAINTENANCE SUGGESTIONS

I recently acquired a 1988 Lancia Delta 1.5. The vehicle has not been used for some years but has been garaged and is in a very good condition. I intend to get the engine up to scratch and start using the vehicle on a regular basis.

My first question is will the cambelt need changing even though the engine has done less than 55,000 miles and what kind of job is it to do?

Secondly, as I will be changing the oil and filter what oil do you recommend and what else should be done as a matter of course before beginning to use the car to ensure it is as reliable as possible?

Kevin Dunbar

The recommended interval for replacing the timing belt on your car is given on a time basis as well as mileage. This is because the fabric of the belt will deteriorate over time, even if no lateral stress is placed on the belt. For this reason, I would certainly make replacing the belt a first priority.

The job is not too difficult and other than a tension gauge no other specialist tools are required. After supporting the vehicle and removing the offside road wheel, the alternator drive belt should be removed. Double check the crankshaft timing mark is at the 11:00 o’clock position and once this is aligned the crankshaft pulley and the timing belt cover can be removed. This will expose the camshaft timing mark, which will be at the 12:00 o’clock position.

When reassembling, the belt tension should be set to 2.5 kg on the gauge and the crankshaft nut should be tightened to 137Nm. The book time given for the job is 1.2 hours, so the job should be able to be completed in a morning. The recommended oil for your car is 15W- 40 and the capacity should be 4.3 litres.

As the vehicle has been standing for some time, it may be worth using a carburettor cleaner to remove any residue that may have accumulated and I would certainly recommend checking the brakes to ensure the cylinders and

pistons move freely.