In retrospect, it is no longer possible to understand why we arranged to meet a couple of friends at first in Dubrovnik, at least it was a great place to wait for someone back then. Then finally the two came with a brand new Fiat 128 Rally.

They explained the reason for their delay with a workshop stay in Zadar. The smell of rubber came from the engine compartment and suddenly the engine stopped running. However, they were lucky in misfortune. Only a few valves had to be replaced.

And of course a new timing belt. When you heard something like that, you were skeptical. But quickly move on, because there was time to catch up. But we had only just reached the Greek border, a lot of honk, because it stank again. Then the car was towed to the workshop in Ioannina.

Gradually, all the mechanics gathered around the car, one translated. Still, a certain helplessness. It was decided to call for a new water pump with a drive wheel from Athens. But my skepticism remained. The pump came, I assembled it at a campsite, also checked the valve train.

No, the pump was perfectly fine. I was just incredibly lucky to counteract the repeated running up of the timing belt against the cylinder head with a larger amount of play in the timing belt. To make it short, the car didn't stink until Athens and back home.

Once there, the cause was sought. A supplier had used a wheel in the toothed belt drive, metal on the inside, plastic on the outside. Unfortunately, both materials had a little play against each other. As a result, the running surface of the toothed belt buckled in the direction of the engine.