Alfa 159 1750 tbi (208000 miles)
Discussion
B'stard Child said:
You can call it that 
Anyway back to the cars sorry for the threadjack
No, it is that, otherwise I'd be inclined to suggest that your initial comment was patronising. Anyway back to the cars sorry for the threadjack(Nice Monza BTW and I would love a Lotus Carlton, that was a hero car for me as I was growing up.)
Edited by Zombie on Wednesday 5th June 00:54
ecopia said:
really liking this thread zombie,loving the drive way and carport, could you tell me more on the carport, i want to do something like this to my own house cheers
Thanks.It's a kit from Dunster House but it's no longer available, by the looks of it. Here's a link but it'll redirect you after 5secs or so to a different page;
https://dunsterhouse.co.uk/zeus-lean-to-carport-w2...
We made and added the side panel / Gates ourselves.
The kit itself cost around 1k iirc.
The concrete slab (base) was not included, obviously. Having dug out the ground by hand I took it away over several trips in the back of the 156 diesel I had at the time. With hindsight a skip would've been easier but my budget was very tight.
IMG_5975-2 by Chris, on FlickrThe slab itself is 100mm thick (min) of C35 concrete. I ordered it for 12pm on a Saturday, which was supposed to be give us, my Dad, best mate and I time to tidy the formwork up and get the DPM nice and tidy. This went out the window when I was awoken with a hangover by the Concrete Mixer Driver at 9am.
I'm sure you can imagine the ensuing panic but we got it sorted. The slab was effectively finished by mid-day.
IMG_6136-2 by Chris, on FlickrThe cost of the concrete was around £220.
We had to hire the scaffolding so we had a limited window to get the basic kit up; (circa £150 for the week I think)
IMG_6138-2 by Chris, on Flickr
IMG_6144 by Chris, on Flickr
IMG_6150 by Chris, on FlickrThe basic frame and roof, which is what the kit consists of was up in about 3 days IIRC;
IMG_6161 by Chris, on FlickrBut. the bitumen slate effect roof tiles took a significant portion of time to put on and cost around £400. They were a pain because the only way to cut them was by using a box cutter and that was laborious.
The gutters were another £50 quid.
The other bits were a bit cheaper as we made them ourselves;
IMG_6163 by Chris, on Flickr
IMG_6166 by Chris, on FlickrThe gates were made to order and cost around £200. Ironwork was £20 and the lock another £25.
IMG_6883-2 by Chris, on FlickrOne of the most difficult bits to get right was finding a wood stain that turned the additional bits we'd added the same colour as the kit. End up going to see a company on the Wirral who were brilliant;
https://twitter.com/timbercoaters
http://www.timbercoaters.com
(shout-out where credit is due)
Edited by Zombie on Thursday 6th June 22:19
ST270 said:
I'm having the same issue with headlights, fit some Led bulbs and it's like driving with no lights on!? They appear bright but the beam is non existnent. I have read that the effectiveness of Led bulbs can depend on the shape of the led itself and where it is located on the "bulb", apparently smaller multiple less are better than a single large one and they need to be in the middle of the "bulb" to mimic a halogen bulb filament. Also the bulb needs to be fit vetically inside the projector so as the less are facing left and right and not up and down if that makes sense.
I've ordered another set which matches the description as closely as possible, see how they are and then revert to halogen if no better. Philips make an led called ultra something and they are £120, but reviews have been mediocre so far...
I've got led's in the main beam units of the GTA and they are amazing. But in the GTA the bulbs have 3 sides of diodes forming a triangle whereas the bulbs I found for the 159, just 2. Common sense suggests that the light output from a two sided led bulb will drop off at the top and bottom and this was confirmed with the results I observed. I've ordered another set which matches the description as closely as possible, see how they are and then revert to halogen if no better. Philips make an led called ultra something and they are £120, but reviews have been mediocre so far...
Basically, I think their effectiveness is limited by the bulb type as much as the quality of the manufacturer.
After boasting about the reliability of the 2 alfas I own on the Maserati thread, yup.... It broke down.
I've recently acquired a beagle puppy so the 159 is now being abused as dog transport. It's holding up well, she, Sam(antha) loves the heated passenger seat and doesn't seem to be inclined to chew anything. In the car at least.
I mention this as I was out walking Sam when it broke and having her with me just added to the drama. Shut inside the the car, she was bouncing across between the passenger and drivers seat hitting the door lock button and the hazard light switch on her way. I narrowly avoided locking the key in the car with her on several occasions.
Anyway, It ran fine on the way up to the place I'd elected to walk her. It started raining whilst we were out. I've come to regard being drenched as an inevitability.
We got back to the car, dried her off, had the usual puppy histrionics with her bouncing about in the car whilst I try to limit her to the passenger seat, finally got in, hit the start button and... nothing.
I assumed the battery was flat for some reason, rang my Dad, asked for a rescue with jump leads. They didn't work. Out of ideas, we decided to tow it home.
On the way I tried dropping it into gear and letting the clutch out. It started straight away, which surprised us both.
Overnight my Dad looked into the starting mechanism and it really is complex. But favouring simplest explanation, why checked the starter motor which is located on the back of the engine;
IMG_2765 by Chris, on Flickr
IMG_2793 by Chris, on Flickr
Access to mot of the bolts is good but it was still an awkward job to remove it. 5 fixings took an hour to remove.
Testing it out of the car confirmed the same as in car, dead solenoid.
Not surprising given it's high miles but what was is that it failed suddenly, with no other warning signs.
There's a Company very near us that exclusively rebuilds alternators and starter motors, took it up to them today, 15 mins and £15 later new brushes fitted we had a working starter motor which we refitted this afternoon. Fixed.
IMG_2802-2 by Chris, on Flickr
I've recently acquired a beagle puppy so the 159 is now being abused as dog transport. It's holding up well, she, Sam(antha) loves the heated passenger seat and doesn't seem to be inclined to chew anything. In the car at least.
I mention this as I was out walking Sam when it broke and having her with me just added to the drama. Shut inside the the car, she was bouncing across between the passenger and drivers seat hitting the door lock button and the hazard light switch on her way. I narrowly avoided locking the key in the car with her on several occasions.
Anyway, It ran fine on the way up to the place I'd elected to walk her. It started raining whilst we were out. I've come to regard being drenched as an inevitability.
We got back to the car, dried her off, had the usual puppy histrionics with her bouncing about in the car whilst I try to limit her to the passenger seat, finally got in, hit the start button and... nothing.
I assumed the battery was flat for some reason, rang my Dad, asked for a rescue with jump leads. They didn't work. Out of ideas, we decided to tow it home.
On the way I tried dropping it into gear and letting the clutch out. It started straight away, which surprised us both.
Overnight my Dad looked into the starting mechanism and it really is complex. But favouring simplest explanation, why checked the starter motor which is located on the back of the engine;
IMG_2765 by Chris, on FlickrIMG_2793 by Chris, on FlickrAccess to mot of the bolts is good but it was still an awkward job to remove it. 5 fixings took an hour to remove.
Testing it out of the car confirmed the same as in car, dead solenoid.
Not surprising given it's high miles but what was is that it failed suddenly, with no other warning signs.
There's a Company very near us that exclusively rebuilds alternators and starter motors, took it up to them today, 15 mins and £15 later new brushes fitted we had a working starter motor which we refitted this afternoon. Fixed.
IMG_2802-2 by Chris, on FlickrAlfahorn said:
Good work!
What is the mileage on it now?
My Brera TBI is on 132,700 miles. I've done 6,200 since I bought it last April.
I don't know of another Brera or Spider TBI which as high a mileage as mine.
Without checking, it's cold outside, I'd guess its on 220,000 miles now.What is the mileage on it now?
My Brera TBI is on 132,700 miles. I've done 6,200 since I bought it last April.
I don't know of another Brera or Spider TBI which as high a mileage as mine.
S100HP said:
Stupid question, why is the puppy not in the boot rather than bouncing around on those lovely leather seats?!
I have a seat cover for her but, to answer your question, she likes the heated seats and tends to sleep rather than bouncing about howling like she does when she's in the boot.Joeseth said:
Just read through the whole lot, great thread! This is going back a bit, but I was looking for a 159 sw ti tbi about 2 months before you got yours. Never saw one below £8000 if I remember correctly, so fair play finding a cheap one even at that mileage. I gave up and ended up getting a red 159 sw ti 2.4 with roof bars and black leather on 118k miles in the end, and even that was hard to find.
Anyway still have it and love it, done roughly 10,000 miles but prob going up as driven daily now. Done no where near as much work as you, but list so far: cambelt and water pump (fun on 5 cylinder), removed swirl flaps (took as long as the cambelt), recon turbo as bearings went, fixed wiring in stalk as lights permanently on, 1 rear wheel bearing. Other than turbo, can’t really fault it on reliability. Great cars, still wish I’d found a tbi though!
Yeah, it was cheap, I reckon it's still worth more than I paid for it but, as you recognise, we have done a lot of work in the meanwhile.Anyway still have it and love it, done roughly 10,000 miles but prob going up as driven daily now. Done no where near as much work as you, but list so far: cambelt and water pump (fun on 5 cylinder), removed swirl flaps (took as long as the cambelt), recon turbo as bearings went, fixed wiring in stalk as lights permanently on, 1 rear wheel bearing. Other than turbo, can’t really fault it on reliability. Great cars, still wish I’d found a tbi though!
Your 159 sounds very nice as well, I have been considering swapping mine for a wiesel as I'm doing more miles now than I was. I've been looking for a Q4 2.4 manual but they're like hen's teeth.
We did the belt on my 20v 156. Ironically it's an easier job on the smaller 156 as you don't have the engine mount to deal with.
RazerSauber said:
Just read this from start to finish. What a stunning looking thing! I've never actually appreciated how good these look. That interior looks like a fabulous place to spend time too. Are these as comfortable to sit in as they look?
Top thread, secretly hoping you have more work to show us
They're not bad, it rides very well compared with a 156 on 17's. The 19" ti wheels do compromise the ride (apparently) though. It's also well built, even after 220k there's very few squeaks and rattles.Top thread, secretly hoping you have more work to show us
Quick update.
For some reason I always leave MOT's till the last minute. It's not supreme confidence in our spattering ability, more a case of a lack of time.
It also went down to the wire as it's MOT was due on the 28th March and I knew that MOT's were going to be extended as a result of the lockdown. Which turned out to be for those on the 30th or after. Bugger.
Hence not only had I not given it a quick check over, I hadn't't washed it for 3 months, not hovered it for 2 weeks. With a beagle puppy in tow, 2 weeks is a long time. Basically, I presented a (smelly) bin rather than a car.
Surprisingly, it sailed through with advisories on front tyres being close to worn out, which I knew about, the standard, ongoing ,slight oil leak, stone chipped windscreen (it's done 220k miles...) and one thing I didn't known about. The rear brakes are binding.
New tyres and a look at the brakes have been added to the list.... Right after finish rebuilding the bathroom.
For some reason I always leave MOT's till the last minute. It's not supreme confidence in our spattering ability, more a case of a lack of time.
It also went down to the wire as it's MOT was due on the 28th March and I knew that MOT's were going to be extended as a result of the lockdown. Which turned out to be for those on the 30th or after. Bugger.
Hence not only had I not given it a quick check over, I hadn't't washed it for 3 months, not hovered it for 2 weeks. With a beagle puppy in tow, 2 weeks is a long time. Basically, I presented a (smelly) bin rather than a car.
Surprisingly, it sailed through with advisories on front tyres being close to worn out, which I knew about, the standard, ongoing ,slight oil leak, stone chipped windscreen (it's done 220k miles...) and one thing I didn't known about. The rear brakes are binding.
New tyres and a look at the brakes have been added to the list.... Right after finish rebuilding the bathroom.
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.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
Edited by Zombie on Thursday 16th July 00:07
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...
IMG_3869 by Chris, on FlickrBut the caliper pistons wound back fine and were not the reason why they were binding;
IMG_3868 by Chris, on FlickrIt 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 FlickrIMG_3872 by Chris, on FlickrIMG_3870 by Chris, on FlickrSimple job really...
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!!!
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
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.
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 FlickrIMG_4864 by Chris, on FlickrIMG_4860 by Chris, on FlickrDid 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 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. My car is now on 136,000 and I'm sure if the upper arms have ever been changed.
A squeak could be anti roll bar bushes though.
Kitchski said:
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?
Yeh, been following your threads so I'm not surprised to hear you say that [lol].I could also be wrong, but I think I might have sold you a black BX 16V once?
You did, number plate ending BBB. Loved that car. Arguably it sounded as good as my 147 GTA. Unfortunately, I lent it to someone to get thread lock whilst I was working on their car and a minicab driver pulled out on them. It was written off and I subsequently sold it to someone looking for the engine.
Would consider another one if you hear of any for sale.
Given the recent change in weather I suspect many people have being doing the same recently - Winter Tyres.
Summer wheels & tyres (19" with 235 Falken Azenis FK510)
IMG_5051 by Chris, on Flickr
IMG_5053 by Chris, on Flickr
Winter wheels (17" with 225 Vredestein Wintrac Xtreme)
IMG_5057-2 by Chris, on Flickr
IMG_5056 by Chris, on Flickr
They're standard fit Brera wheels. Brake caliper clearance is a bit tight....
IMG_5058 by Chris, on Flickr
Summer wheels & tyres (19" with 235 Falken Azenis FK510)
IMG_5051 by Chris, on FlickrIMG_5053 by Chris, on FlickrWinter wheels (17" with 225 Vredestein Wintrac Xtreme)
IMG_5057-2 by Chris, on FlickrIMG_5056 by Chris, on FlickrThey're standard fit Brera wheels. Brake caliper clearance is a bit tight....
IMG_5058 by Chris, on FlickrJakeT said:
I think those 17 inch wheels look great. I'm sure ride comfort has taken an upward swing too. 
It certainly looks better than I remember it doing when I test fitted them last year. Ride comfort will be an interesting point, with a taller sidewall you'd think it'll be better but it's never that simple. I've also found that that handling does suffer on winter tyres - the car moves about and the steering feels a bit more vague.
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