Alfa Romeo GT 3.2 servicing
Discussion
rxe said:
Its not that gutless, it just needs to be stirred into life.
The wizard on the 2.5 is fantastic. Better than the 3.2 version, I think there is something in the map that makes the 2.5 bang on overrun which is very addictive.
I remember pulling into a service station just off a dual carriage way. I was giving it some beans when I spotted the station, realised I needed fuel (downside of the Wizard, it encourages noise making), blipped it down into second and pulled up to a pump. The local "yoof" were all there examining their Corsas, and were very confused - an exotic had clearly pulled in, but all they could see was a silver saloon car with a middle aged bloke filling it up. They came over, all interested, I did the obligatory "bonnet lift" to reveal the V6 and they were rather impressed - and little bit gutted to realise they could drive this for about the same price as the bodykit they'd just screwed on the Corsa. I might have created some future Alfisti that day....
I love the little 2.5, but muscular it certainly isn't.The wizard on the 2.5 is fantastic. Better than the 3.2 version, I think there is something in the map that makes the 2.5 bang on overrun which is very addictive.
I remember pulling into a service station just off a dual carriage way. I was giving it some beans when I spotted the station, realised I needed fuel (downside of the Wizard, it encourages noise making), blipped it down into second and pulled up to a pump. The local "yoof" were all there examining their Corsas, and were very confused - an exotic had clearly pulled in, but all they could see was a silver saloon car with a middle aged bloke filling it up. They came over, all interested, I did the obligatory "bonnet lift" to reveal the V6 and they were rather impressed - and little bit gutted to realise they could drive this for about the same price as the bodykit they'd just screwed on the Corsa. I might have created some future Alfisti that day....
Only yesterday I used all 7000rpm in second and third and still was out dragged by, wait for it.... A BMW 320i. I was so depressed, I had to google the BMW. Bloody twin scroll turbo, variable valve timing etc etc. Produced almost as much power as the Alfa, but much, much more torque.
Anyway, I absolutely love the little V6. Revs harder than the 3.2, comes on cam much more vigorously and sounds better. Much smoother, too.
Coincidentally, I have a Wizard exhaust on order. Going to cost me more than the bloody car is worth. Or, looking at it another way, the Alfa 156 2.5 is the cheapest way of driving one of the most magnificent engines in history.
Probably my favourite car of all time.
Are you sure yours is OK? I've got a 2.5 156, as well as a GT 3.2 (and a GTA project...) .... there isn't such a huge amount between them. Of course in the 3.2 all hell breaks loose over 4K, but in general driving, I don't sit there thinking the 2.5 is gutless. I'm not a big one for drag racing, but I find the brutality needed with the clutch a more limiting factor.
They're very sensitive to MAF degradation - it doesn't throw an MCSF, and doesn't misfire, it just goes a bit pathetic. If it hasn't had a MAF, it is likely to be knackered. A new MAF on mine at about 70K really woke it up.
They're very sensitive to MAF degradation - it doesn't throw an MCSF, and doesn't misfire, it just goes a bit pathetic. If it hasn't had a MAF, it is likely to be knackered. A new MAF on mine at about 70K really woke it up.
What's the MCSF code?
If it self clears it is likely to be some catalyst/lambda issue, it will have got a weird reading for a moment and thrown the light, which clears after a few good data points.
At this age (mine is an 01 on 98K) I'd be looking at:
- MAF - note, much cheaper to buy a genuine bosch insert than pay Alfa for an inset + £150 worth of plastic drainpipe.
- Lambdas being tired - is it a CF3 (cats in manifold + cats underneath) or CF2 (single cat underneath)? CF3s get very irritated by the manifold lambdas going slow, CF2s only have the lambdas post cat underneath and are less sensitive.
- Thermostat - rods performance and fuel consumption, but you'd be seeing that on the temp gauge
- Splits in the intake manifold and rubber sections on the plenum
- Cam timing if you have had the cam done any anyone other than a reputable specialist
If you're in Berkshire, you're welcome to plug it into my laptop to read the codes - or get Multiecuscan, the free version and a £10 cable will read and clear codes.
(can you tell I have 5 bussos in the fleet....?!)
If it self clears it is likely to be some catalyst/lambda issue, it will have got a weird reading for a moment and thrown the light, which clears after a few good data points.
At this age (mine is an 01 on 98K) I'd be looking at:
- MAF - note, much cheaper to buy a genuine bosch insert than pay Alfa for an inset + £150 worth of plastic drainpipe.
- Lambdas being tired - is it a CF3 (cats in manifold + cats underneath) or CF2 (single cat underneath)? CF3s get very irritated by the manifold lambdas going slow, CF2s only have the lambdas post cat underneath and are less sensitive.
- Thermostat - rods performance and fuel consumption, but you'd be seeing that on the temp gauge
- Splits in the intake manifold and rubber sections on the plenum
- Cam timing if you have had the cam done any anyone other than a reputable specialist
If you're in Berkshire, you're welcome to plug it into my laptop to read the codes - or get Multiecuscan, the free version and a £10 cable will read and clear codes.
(can you tell I have 5 bussos in the fleet....?!)
Pat H said:
That's interesting.
It drives cleanly, doesn't misfire, but occasionally throws up a mcsf warning, which clears itself after a day.
It's covered 81k and has never had a maf.
Might be worth further investigation.
When I got my 3.2 I was convinced I had a q2 diff fitted as I really had to nail the throttle for it to even slightly brake traction. It drives cleanly, doesn't misfire, but occasionally throws up a mcsf warning, which clears itself after a day.
It's covered 81k and has never had a maf.
Might be worth further investigation.
It ran fine but just didn't seem much quicker than my old 2.5. I then changed the maf for a vauxhall agila unit and the difference was astounding.
The bad news though was that it fully confirmed to me that I had no q2 as it was very easy to brake traction
afterwards !
rxe said:
What's the MCSF code?
If it self clears it is likely to be some catalyst/lambda issue, it will have got a weird reading for a moment and thrown the light, which clears after a few good data points.
At this age (mine is an 01 on 98K) I'd be looking at:
- MAF - note, much cheaper to buy a genuine bosch insert than pay Alfa for an inset + £150 worth of plastic drainpipe.
- Lambdas being tired - is it a CF3 (cats in manifold + cats underneath) or CF2 (single cat underneath)? CF3s get very irritated by the manifold lambdas going slow, CF2s only have the lambdas post cat underneath and are less sensitive.
- Thermostat - rods performance and fuel consumption, but you'd be seeing that on the temp gauge
- Splits in the intake manifold and rubber sections on the plenum
- Cam timing if you have had the cam done any anyone other than a reputable specialist
If you're in Berkshire, you're welcome to plug it into my laptop to read the codes - or get Multiecuscan, the free version and a £10 cable will read and clear codes.
(can you tell I have 5 bussos in the fleet....?!)
Thanks for your offer, but I'm up in Merseyside. I will get Gus to plug it in next time I'm at Alfatune.If it self clears it is likely to be some catalyst/lambda issue, it will have got a weird reading for a moment and thrown the light, which clears after a few good data points.
At this age (mine is an 01 on 98K) I'd be looking at:
- MAF - note, much cheaper to buy a genuine bosch insert than pay Alfa for an inset + £150 worth of plastic drainpipe.
- Lambdas being tired - is it a CF3 (cats in manifold + cats underneath) or CF2 (single cat underneath)? CF3s get very irritated by the manifold lambdas going slow, CF2s only have the lambdas post cat underneath and are less sensitive.
- Thermostat - rods performance and fuel consumption, but you'd be seeing that on the temp gauge
- Splits in the intake manifold and rubber sections on the plenum
- Cam timing if you have had the cam done any anyone other than a reputable specialist
If you're in Berkshire, you're welcome to plug it into my laptop to read the codes - or get Multiecuscan, the free version and a £10 cable will read and clear codes.
(can you tell I have 5 bussos in the fleet....?!)
The car is a 2002, so CF3. I am pretty sure that the occasional self cancelling warning light will just be a lazy lambda sensor.
The car has now done 81,000 miles, it has just had the belt replaced at Alfatune, no problems with the plenum sucking air in and the thermostat is behaving itself.
I've also owned a couple of 3.2 GTVs, and I have had the 156 for five years, so I know how it should perform. To be honest, it still sings away just as enthusiastically as it always has done. If there has been any loss of performance, it has been very gradual indeed.
I was just a bit surprised about how swift a new BMW 320i appears to be.
I am intrigued that the MAF may degrade gradually. I know for a fact that it is wearing it's original MAF and I would probably replace it out of curiosity if I could be arsed picking my way through the minefield to find the correct Bosch unit at a sensible price.
Cheers.
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