Alfa Romeo Giulietta- Timing Belt Service Interval – 2010 to 2020

Replacing the timing belt is one of the most important things you need to do on your Alfa Romeo Giulietta and in this guide we are going to tell you when to do it, along with some other info as well. Failure to replace the timing belt can lead to some pretty nasty consequences for your Alfa’s engine and your wallet, so keep up with changes!

Does the 2010 to 2020 Alfa Giulietta have a Timing Belt or Chain?

Unlike some Alfa models from the 2010s, all versions of the Giulietta Type 940 are driven by a belt and not a chain, so replacements need to be made at or before the recommended service interval.

When Does the Timing Belt Need to Be Replaced on an Alfa Romeo Giulietta?

Alfa’s original service interval for petrol 1.4 TB versions of the Giulietta was every 116,000 km (72,000 miles) or every 5 years, while the 1750 TBi had a slightly shorter interval of every 105,000 km (65,000 miles), but kept the same time interval. However, as Alfa has historically had a bit of an issue overstating the lifespan of their belts and tensioners, many experts and owners recommend a replacement every 78,000 km (48,000 miles) or every 4 years for all petrol models. Some owners go one step further and replace the belt every 3 years, but this is generally considered overkill by many.

When it comes to diesel 1.6 and 2.0 JTDm models, Alfa Romeo originally recommended a service interval every 135,000 km (84,000 miles) or every 5 years. However, once again many owners and experts recommend reducing this to every 78,000 km (48,000 miles) or every 4 years.  

What Happens if the Timing Belt Breaks on an Alfa Giulietta Type 940?

All engines in the Giulietta range so this means that if the belt or tensioner fails it will usually lead to some sort of damage occurring. The extent of this damage can depend on the engine, but generally it is a situation you want to avoid as an engine rebuild can be very expensive.

To get a bit of an idea of health of both the belt and the tensioner, you can try to listen for any abnormal rubbing, squeaking, tapping, or ticking sounds originating from the timing belt area. The presence of such noises may signal that the belt and tensioner have surpassed their intended lifespan on your Alfa Romeo Giulietta. However, if you want to get a good idea of the condition of the belt and tensioner they will need to be physically inspected (and then it’s probably better to just get them replaced).

What Else Should be Replaced with the Timing Belt?

You should replace the following components during a timing belt service on a 2010 to 2020 Giulietta:

• Tensioner
• Idler
• Aux belt
• Water pump 

To Sum Up

All Giulietta models are driven by a timing belt and not a chain. Timing belt services should occur every 78,000 km (48,000 miles) or every 4 years, despite what Alfa Romeo claims in their original service interval. All engines are interference, so a belt or tensioner failure can lead to catastrophic damage (although the extent of the damage will depend on the engine and some other factors as well). Lastly, the belt should be replaced along with the tensioner, idler, Aux belt, and water pump.