Noooooooooooooooooo
Discussion
On Friday I left my 4-years-old-from-new-never-broken down-currently-booked-in-for-its-48K-service Alfa 147 at home for Mrs Byte to drive whilst I flew to Germany for a weekend gallavanting around the Nurburgring.
As soon as the plane landed at Köln, I had a message on my phone...
"The engine just cut out whilst driving along, it said "motor failure" or something. I tried to start it again, but it just made a whirring sound so I left it in case I did any more damage."
Rather than call the AA she got a taxi and went home. I only got back last night, so I'll go and have a look at lunchtime, as the car was stranded (in a safe place, luckily) only a few miles from my office.
So, what does "motor failure" mean? Am I to expect a puddle of oil under the car, or a hole in a block, or valves embedded into pistons, or just a loose ECU wire (yeah, dream on)?
Yours hopingly...
As soon as the plane landed at Köln, I had a message on my phone...
"The engine just cut out whilst driving along, it said "motor failure" or something. I tried to start it again, but it just made a whirring sound so I left it in case I did any more damage."
Rather than call the AA she got a taxi and went home. I only got back last night, so I'll go and have a look at lunchtime, as the car was stranded (in a safe place, luckily) only a few miles from my office.
So, what does "motor failure" mean? Am I to expect a puddle of oil under the car, or a hole in a block, or valves embedded into pistons, or just a loose ECU wire (yeah, dream on)?
Yours hopingly...
Could it be Motor Control System failure?
This happens on a few 156s and a common cause is where the wiring for the lambda has come adrift and shorted against the exhaust. Hopefully it's just that.
But then again.... whirring and not starting sounds awfully like a cambelt....
Fingers crossed for you!
This happens on a few 156s and a common cause is where the wiring for the lambda has come adrift and shorted against the exhaust. Hopefully it's just that.
But then again.... whirring and not starting sounds awfully like a cambelt....
Fingers crossed for you!
OK, been to have a look.
I was able to prise the cambelt-cover apart and the cambelt could be seen sitting in its correct place on the camwheels. However, with a screwdriver I could move the cabelt from side to side, which I would have thought should not be possible if the cambelt was tight, indicating that the belt has probably snapped at the crank end.
So I thought - bugger it, let's see what happens if I turn it over. So I turned the key, and the starter motor just went round - hence the original "whirring" noise. It didn't event try to turn the engine. Could this mean something else (broken flywheel perhaps??), or would the car know that something is wrong and prevent the starter motor from engaging to prevent further damage?
I was able to prise the cambelt-cover apart and the cambelt could be seen sitting in its correct place on the camwheels. However, with a screwdriver I could move the cabelt from side to side, which I would have thought should not be possible if the cambelt was tight, indicating that the belt has probably snapped at the crank end.
So I thought - bugger it, let's see what happens if I turn it over. So I turned the key, and the starter motor just went round - hence the original "whirring" noise. It didn't event try to turn the engine. Could this mean something else (broken flywheel perhaps??), or would the car know that something is wrong and prevent the starter motor from engaging to prevent further damage?
Yep, all in good condition as of 21.07.2004
"Check visually condition of timing belt - ticked"
Sadly they are not prepared to help out, as it's after 3 years, even though it's been serviced by them since new and has not done 60K yet.
I guess I'll be buying my Brera from someone else.
"Check visually condition of timing belt - ticked"
Sadly they are not prepared to help out, as it's after 3 years, even though it's been serviced by them since new and has not done 60K yet.
I guess I'll be buying my Brera from someone else.
jacobyte said:
Yep, all in good condition as of 21.07.2004
"Check visually condition of timing belt - ticked"
But we all know this is a load of cobblers!!
How can they visually check it without taking it off? And did they check the pulleys - which usually go before the belt? No. It stinks I'm afraid. They've ticked a box but done you no help at all.
Sorry jacobyte.
Well if they said it was ok, then kick fuss up with them or Alfa themselfs.
If they didn't mention it at all, kick up a fuss with the dealership.
If they mentioned you needed it changing, and you declined. Then you gotta get your wallet out i'm afraid.
>> Edited by Pwig on Monday 25th April 20:58
If they didn't mention it at all, kick up a fuss with the dealership.
If they mentioned you needed it changing, and you declined. Then you gotta get your wallet out i'm afraid.
>> Edited by Pwig on Monday 25th April 20:58
Ive visually checked the belts that came off my sprint recently. I was surprised. The history suggests they hadnt been changed in at least 4/5 years, and the teeth all looked a1, and the belt itself looked reasonable - a few very very slight marks running in line with it. If I had to guess by appearance of the belts, I would guess they were at the correct service interval for age, and under mileage.
Imho, This tells you that looking at a belt means nothing.
Imho, This tells you that looking at a belt means nothing.
No mention of it needing changing or anything.
I've arranged for my Integrale specialist to do the work now anyway, as I trust them. They've already collected the car and will have it ready by next week, and at half the stealership's price.
Still, a strong letter is on its way to the manager, giving them the option to cover the invoice of the independent garage (which will be half their usual charges). It's unlikely they will pay up, but I now have nothing to lose, whilst they have lots of future servicing and car commission to lose.
I've arranged for my Integrale specialist to do the work now anyway, as I trust them. They've already collected the car and will have it ready by next week, and at half the stealership's price.
Still, a strong letter is on its way to the manager, giving them the option to cover the invoice of the independent garage (which will be half their usual charges). It's unlikely they will pay up, but I now have nothing to lose, whilst they have lots of future servicing and car commission to lose.
jacobyte said:
No mention of it needing changing or anything.
I've arranged for my Integrale specialist to do the work now anyway, as I trust them. They've already collected the car and will have it ready by next week, and at half the stealership's price.
Still, a strong letter is on its way to the manager, giving them the option to cover the invoice of the independent garage (which will be half their usual charges). It's unlikely they will pay up, but I now have nothing to lose, whilst they have lots of future servicing and car commission to lose.
Shame, you could have got it without paying.
pwig said:
Shame, you could have got it without paying.
I'll be sure to send them the bill - they have already received my letter, so they will expect it.
I need transportation asap, so as they cannot fit me in for a while nor are they prepared to let me have a courtesy car, I have had to arrange to get the work done elsewhere. I won't let it drop though.
jacobyte said:
Ah - the whirring thing. Just realised that means crank is going round and round without any resistance from the cams. Tits.
Not necessarily!
Try rocking the car forwards in gear (say 4th) while someone else looks down the oil filler hole to see if the cams are turning. If they're not, it's cam belt alright. The teeth usually strip off them (got that "T" shirt unfortunately!) If the cams are turning, though, it could just be a starter motor fault (unusual) but you never know...
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