Alfa 159 1750 tbi (208000 miles)

[JakeT]

I like this thread. It's nice to see the trials and tribulations of running something like this. I'm quite glad my MOTs are due in October and December. Hopefullt we're allowed of the house by then.

[993-4C]

This is a great thread.
One question on the picture below:
https://flic.kr/p/24v6cue
If I am not mistaken we are looking at the compressor wheel. I am really surprised it looks so clean given the mileage of the car and that it is DI; was expecting to see much more burnt oil deposits.
Did you have a chance to have a look at the intake valves to see if they look clean also?

Thanks

[Zombie]

993-4C said:

This is a great thread.
One question on the picture below:
https://flic.kr/p/24v6cue
If I am not mistaken we are looking at the compressor wheel. I am really surprised it looks so clean given the mileage of the car and that it is DI; was expecting to see much more burnt oil deposits.
Did you have a chance to have a look at the intake valves to see if they look clean also?

Thanks

(On a petrol engine) Compressor wheels and intake vales will never have significant carbon build up unless something is wrong - They're both on the clean side of the engine. However, a problem with crankcase pressure, EGR or oil breathers could potentially result in carbon build up. HTH.

Edited by Zombie on Thursday 16th July 00:07

[Coops-Clio-F4R]

love a high miler, I'm a buy at least 100k motors as the big stuff has been done.....usually

also have a huge soft spot for these Alfa's and in particular the TBi powered ones, on my list of motors I would like one day if they haven't all blown up or rotted away of course...

my current daily is a 2004 Renaultsport Clio 182 that's just about to click 216k miles.

keep up the good work

[Shotgun Jon]

OP - what a thread! Loving the content and detail! I’ve got 2.4 159 SW TI and I’m a little disappointed to see yours has done more miles. Mine is only on 203k!! It’s a great motor but I have had some niggles. New alternator which is a bumper off job, handbrake cables, power steering hose, chronic inside edge front tyre wear, rear windscreen wiper randomly working and the one I’ve never got to the bottom of is the random hill holder light coming on!

When all is said and done it’s a great car which makes a great noise!

[Alfahorn]

Your two 159's make my Brera 1750 feel barely used at 133k

[Zombie]

Had a look at the rear brakes last month. The discs weren't looking to special;

IMG_3869 by Chris, on Flickr

But the caliper pistons wound back fine and were not the reason why they were binding;

IMG_3868 by Chris, on Flickr

It turned out to be the sliding pins that were the problem, one of them was seized on both sides. Fortunately we had anticipated this and along with genuine pads, brembo discs, new shims and new pins;

IMG_3873 by Chris, on Flickr

IMG_3872 by Chris, on Flickr

IMG_3870 by Chris, on Flickr

Simple job really...

[Zombie]

I Had a bit of an epiphany tonight, well maybe that's an exaggeration. But I've never really clicked with the 159 till now.

I have the 147 GTA and a Maser 4200 gransport. Both are lovely cars that I feel lucky to own and I've recognised that I am often too quick to dismiss the 159 as cumbersome and not driver focused.

But, I took the hound for a quiet walk round Chester in the rain tonight. After 2 hours of what was a nice walk, I found myself surprised and genuinely happy to be getting into the 159, yes, it has lowered suspension but it's OEM, it doesn't have a stupid noisy exhaust, the de-mist is fast and efficient, the engine warms up in 3min. The boot liner and dog guard just work. Driving back home, I realised it was comfortable, quiet and uncompromised.

Maybe I'm getting old, but I decided tonight that I'm not going to mess with it, no straight though rear boxes, no remap and no suspension mods so that it's biased towards oversteer.

I'm going to leave it alone.

WTF!!!

Edited by Zombie on Friday 28th August 01:54

[Kinky]

Old age?

[Bright Halo]

You must have either started or stopped drinking

[Zombie]

Quick update. Nothing much to report. I noticed that there was a (slight) knocking coming from the front suspension on full lock. After investigating, we narrowed it down to the N/S upper suspension arm which was the original item from 2010 and has lasted 221k.

We changed it for a genuine rAlfa eplacement that my Dad found on fleabay a while ago for something like £40:

IMG_4862 by Chris, on Flickr

IMG_4864 by Chris, on Flickr

IMG_4860 by Chris, on Flickr

Did the trick and the car is noticeably quieter - no squeaks or rattles now, despite it's mileage. Feels like it's done 50k not 4 x that.

[Alfahorn]

Zombie said:

Quick update. Nothing much to report. I noticed that there was a (slight) knocking coming from the front suspension on full lock. After investigating, we narrowed it down to the N/S upper suspension arm which was the original item from 2010 and has lasted 221k.

We changed it for a genuine rAlfa eplacement that my Dad found on fleabay a while ago for something like £40:

IMG_4862 by Chris, on Flickr

IMG_4864 by Chris, on Flickr

IMG_4860 by Chris, on Flickr

Did the trick and the car is noticeably quieter - no squeaks or rattles now, despite it's mileage. Feels like it's done 50k not 4 x that.

My Brera has a squeak coming from the suspension. Could this be the same issue?

My car is now on 136,000 and I'm sure if the upper arms have ever been changed.

[Zombie]

Alfahorn said:

My Brera has a squeak coming from the suspension. Could this be the same issue?

My car is now on 136,000 and I'm sure if the upper arms have ever been changed.

Based on on my own experience, I think not. Worn upper arms manifested as a knock that was most pronounced on full lock, worn lower arm bushes as excessive tyre wear - inside edge.

A squeak could be anti roll bar bushes though.

[Mr Scruff]

Love this thread. Also have a 159 ti SW but the 2.4 diesel.

Sadly mine is something of a neglected item but it’s still one of my favourite cars out of all I’ve owned. Agree that it’s just a nice place to be, and I love the way it looks.

[Alfahorn]

Zombie said:

Alfahorn said:

My Brera has a squeak coming from the suspension. Could this be the same issue?

My car is now on 136,000 and I'm sure if the upper arms have ever been changed.

Based on on my own experience, I think not. Worn upper arms manifested as a knock that was most pronounced on full lock, worn lower arm bushes as excessive tyre wear - inside edge.

A squeak could be anti roll bar bushes though.

I'll need to investigate further.

I've recently bought a neglected 60 plate Giulietta Cloverleaf which I want to get sorted and use as my daily so that's my priority at the moment. Currently smoking around in my 2002 147 2.0TS.

[Kitchski]

Enjoyed that. I'm partial to buying bargain cars that most people run away from!

I could also be wrong, but I think I might have sold you a black BX 16V once?

[Kingdom35]

Alfahorn said:

Zombie said:

Alfahorn said:

My Brera has a squeak coming from the suspension. Could this be the same issue?

My car is now on 136,000 and I'm sure if the upper arms have ever been changed.

Based on on my own experience, I think not. Worn upper arms manifested as a knock that was most pronounced on full lock, worn lower arm bushes as excessive tyre wear - inside edge.

A squeak could be anti roll bar bushes though.

I'll need to investigate further.

I've recently bought a neglected 60 plate Giulietta Cloverleaf which I want to get sorted and use as my daily so that's my priority at the moment. Currently smoking around in my 2002 147 2.0TS.

Any pics of the 147 and Guiletta.
Really like the 147’s is it for sale?

[nuttywobbler]

I’m amazed at how much of your life you must dedicate to fixing the oily old Alfa! Fair play.

[Alfahorn]

Kingdom35 said:

Any pics of the 147 and Guiletta.
Really like the 147’s is it for sale?

I’ve been asked a few times. A colleague at work got in first and is going to have it in the new year when she gets back from Poland. Her company car lease has come to an end she just wants a cheap run about. She’s coveted it since I first got it!

I’m reducing down from 4 cars to just the Giulietta & Brera as I only about 150 miles a week now.

I’ll be starting a new thread on the Giulietta at some point over the weekend.

Edited by Alfahorn on Friday 4th December 16:38

[Kingdom35]

Alfahorn said:

I’ve been asked a few times. A colleague at work got in first and is going to have it in the new year when she gets back from Poland. Her company car lease has come to an end she just wants a cheap run about. She’s coveted it since I first got it!

I’m reducing down from cars to just the Giulietta & Brera as I only about 150 miles a week now.

I’ll be starting a new thread on the Giulietta at some point over the weekend.

I could have predicted this haha....2.0TS are hard to comeback hence me asking and I love that colour

Look forward to the threads, im looking at Guiletta's too