If you know anything about Alfa Romeo cars, you’ll know that proper servicing and maintenance is critical for the longevity of your vehicle – perhaps more than many other brands.
Alfas can be great, reliable cars, but you need to maintain them properly.
One critical maintenance item is the timing belt – but not all Alfa Romeo cars come with a timing belt that needs routine replacement.
Some Alfa Romeo cars use a timing chain (also known as a ‘cam chain’) that is meant to last for the lifespan of the car and not require replacement.
In this article you’ll learn if the 2010 Alfa Romeo MiTo (Type 955) with the 1.3 JTD engine uses a timing belt or a timing chain.
2010 Alfa Romeo MiTo (Type 955) (1.3 JTD) – Timing Belt Or Chain?
The 2010 Alfa Romeo MiTo (Type 955) with the 1.3 JTD engine uses a timing chain and NOT a timing belt.
This is as opposed to many Alfa Romeo models, which use a timing belt/cambelt.
Do You Need To Replace The Timing Chain In The 2010 Alfa Romeo MiTo (Type 955) (1.3 JTD)?
No, in theory the timing chain should last for the lifetime of the 1.3 JTD engine in your 2010 Alfa Romeo MiTo (Type 955).
This is compared to timing belt Alfa Romeo models, where it is critical that the belt and accessories are changed at the required distance/time interval (whichever comes first) otherwise you risk expensive, catastrophic engine failure.
However:
While timing chains don’t have a recommended service interval, they can still stretch and fail. Regular servicing goes a long way in ensuring that a timing chain doesn’t fail, so change your oil and filter regularly.
The most critical factor in ensuring a healthy timing chain that lasts the duration of your car’s lifespan is to regularly change the oil and filter – infrequent oil changes can lead to premature timing chain wear or stretch, which can be disastrous for your 2010 Alfa Romeo MiTo (Type 955) with the 1.3 JTD engine.
Regular oil changes will extend the life of your engine and minimise the risk of timing chain failure or stretch/wear.