Alfa V6 stutters at 4500rpm - why?

[gr1mb0]

Does anyone have any ideas why my 2.5v6 (in a 166) revs well up to about 4500rpm and then stutters like it was starved of fuel?

It recovers a little after 5500rpm, but not completely.

I'd like to check everything possible myself before giving it to a specialist to diagnose (no doubt at great expense).

Thanks.

[pdV6]

Sounds very much like the (in)famous Bosch mass airflow meter is on its way out. Diagnostic may well not tell you anything useful, but odds on its the culprit. Slap a new one in and all should be fine.

[egomeister]

Sounds likely - we've just had ours replaced, came to about £200.