Blocked EGR valve on a Alfa 156 2.4 20vJTD?
Discussion
Hi guys,
I'm having a bit of an issue with my 55-plate Alfa 156. As mentioned, it's the 2.4 litre 20v diesel version.
The problem started a few weeks ago with a massive black cloud of s
t spewing out whenever the turbo would engage. As time has gone on, more black st spews out and the turbo takes much longer to engage - it's now only boosting at fairly high revs. As you can imagine, I'm getting st fuel economy, sluggish performace and a car that leaves a long trail of black smoke everywhere it goes. I'm thinking of replacing the horn with a whistle and pretending I'm driving a steam train. On the upside, no-one sits up my arse anymore on the motorway.
My girlfriend has a mate who's a former Alfa technician, and although he hasn't looked at it yet, he's convinced it's a blocked EGR valve and a coked up intake manifold. He's told me he can replace the valve and clean out the manifold for £110, which he reckons will leave me with a car that drives like new again.
Does this sound right? And is £110 a good price to pay for that kind of thing?
Thanks!
I'm having a bit of an issue with my 55-plate Alfa 156. As mentioned, it's the 2.4 litre 20v diesel version.
The problem started a few weeks ago with a massive black cloud of s
t spewing out whenever the turbo would engage. As time has gone on, more black st spews out and the turbo takes much longer to engage - it's now only boosting at fairly high revs. As you can imagine, I'm getting st fuel economy, sluggish performace and a car that leaves a long trail of black smoke everywhere it goes. I'm thinking of replacing the horn with a whistle and pretending I'm driving a steam train. On the upside, no-one sits up my arse anymore on the motorway.My girlfriend has a mate who's a former Alfa technician, and although he hasn't looked at it yet, he's convinced it's a blocked EGR valve and a coked up intake manifold. He's told me he can replace the valve and clean out the manifold for £110, which he reckons will leave me with a car that drives like new again.
Does this sound right? And is £110 a good price to pay for that kind of thing?
Thanks!
How handy are you? With some basic DIY skills you can easily remove, clean, and replace the old EGR and save yourself £100. I'm waiting for some carb cleaner to arrive so I can do mine next week.
Here is the 'How to' thread for lots of topics for 156's on the Alfaowner site
http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/alfa-147-156-and-gt...
and here are two links specific to EGR replacement I think one of them has a PDF you can download, which I've got at home.
http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/alfa-147-156-and-gt...
http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/alfa-147-156-and-gt...
Here is the 'How to' thread for lots of topics for 156's on the Alfaowner site
http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/alfa-147-156-and-gt...
and here are two links specific to EGR replacement I think one of them has a PDF you can download, which I've got at home.
http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/alfa-147-156-and-gt...
http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/alfa-147-156-and-gt...
Thanks for the help guys!
I'm not too great with car-shaped DIY, so I will probably just get my girlfriend's mate to do it. From what I gather, he's selling me the replacement valve half-price as he still has a couple from his time as an Alfa technician - the rest is labout to clean out the intake manifold.
TorqueRacing, I'm afraid I never got your email as I stupidly never updated the email address on my account. If you try again now, I should receive it as I've finally updated it properly.
I'm not too great with car-shaped DIY, so I will probably just get my girlfriend's mate to do it. From what I gather, he's selling me the replacement valve half-price as he still has a couple from his time as an Alfa technician - the rest is labout to clean out the intake manifold.
TorqueRacing, I'm afraid I never got your email as I stupidly never updated the email address on my account. If you try again now, I should receive it as I've finally updated it properly.
I got your email Torque and will reply a little later today.
I had the EGR valve replaced and the inlet manifold cleaned out and the car is like new again. Drives so much better now it's untrue and doesn't produce clouds of black smoke everywhere I go anymore!
Sadly, the guy did find another problem - there's a split in the turbo boost pipe, so I'm going to need to get that replaced too.
Still, I'm happy for the time being at least!
I had the EGR valve replaced and the inlet manifold cleaned out and the car is like new again. Drives so much better now it's untrue and doesn't produce clouds of black smoke everywhere I go anymore!
Sadly, the guy did find another problem - there's a split in the turbo boost pipe, so I'm going to need to get that replaced too.
Still, I'm happy for the time being at least!
Had the same issue on my Alfa GT with the EGR valve
To make you aware the same engine is used in Fiat/ Saab/ Vauxhall - as such i got a Geniune replacement part from a Saab parts dealer at 50 less than the Alfa price !
It was Neo brothers - no link to the supplier but it may help other Alfa owners
To make you aware the same engine is used in Fiat/ Saab/ Vauxhall - as such i got a Geniune replacement part from a Saab parts dealer at 50 less than the Alfa price !
It was Neo brothers - no link to the supplier but it may help other Alfa owners
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