my 156 needs a new engine at 37k miles!

[alfapete]

my 156 sportwagon (not quite 3yrs old and with 37k on the clock) apparently needs a new engine due to the fact that a shell has spun on the crank. the warranty company will not cover the cost of repair due to the fact that my 24k mile service was 4k miles too late. is there anyone else out there who has experienced similar problems?

[pdV6]

Commiserations, but I'm not sure what anyone can suggest; you've left yourself open to problems by not sticking to the terms of the warranty unfortunately; 4k miles is quite a lot to miss the service shedule by...

[SCOOTERMAN]

Bad luck. Our Sabb 9-3 did the same, albeit at 70,000 miles (but then considering Saab's reputation...). Had a FSH, mind.

Rather than a new engine, can't you run it to a respected engine shop? Saab quoted us IRO £4K for a new short engine. To have the engine removed, stripped, the crank rebuilt/reground, a new clutch, rebuilt and refitted cost £2.2K. IIRC the TS is an expensive engine to buy (assuming is is a TS. Not a 2.0 is it?)
Good luck!

>> Edited by SCOOTERMAN on Wednesday 12th October 16:01

[wombat rick]

Hard luck Pete.
I can only echo the above comments. Maybe a used or rebuilt engine is the way to go rather than a new one. Try and find a local independant Alfa specialist away from the main dealer and you will get a more sympathetic reception I am sure.

[bilton_d]

my Bosses 156 put 2 con rods through the sump @ 41K mls, Alfa refused to pay saying netlect as he had let the oil go low ..... he did BUT it went through 2.5 lites in 24 hours and 650 miles of motorway driving and stuck in traffic etc. in defence it was booked in at the time for investagation on the oil consumption.

[poorcardealer]

VERY COMMON on Alfas this fault....usually down to the oil level been a touch low.......have re engined literally dozens over the years....a recon will be about £1600......last used engine I bought was £800, took an age to find though for that money........most specialists breakers want £1300 ish. Good Luck

[alfaman]

:maybe this is a dumb idea ...not sure, but I'll post anyway :

Can you fit one of the older chain driven 2.0 TS engines into a Sportwagon ?? - you could pick up an entire 164 with a good condition engine for about £300 - or for even less if its an MOT failure .

just an idea

[bilton_d]

my engine cost me £1K out of a written off car but that included removal of the old engine and fitting of the new one .... the car was actually older than mine by the car had only covered 38,000 miles ..... 1 year on it has only used 1/2 litre of oil and just had the belts, tensioners and variator done so well happy.

[Daaaveee]

commiserations

my 2.0 TS 145 is in the garage at the moment after using virtually all of its oil in 2 weeks, resulting in a bent crank, couple of bent con rods, etc etc... i'm having it rebuilt so i get a parts and labour 12month warrenty on it, and looking at a bill of 1500-2000 (should find out more or less exactly what tonight). a second hand or reconned engine would be a cheaper option, the second hand lump could be troublesome though, and a re-con varies in quality depending on who has done it, with alot of the warrenties not being worth the paper they're written on!

if you're looking down the route of a reconned engine, then give these guys a bell... www.l-m.co.uk/ i've heard good things about them from people off the alfa145.com forums, so it could be worth getting a quote of them.

HTH, and good luck!

Dave