147gta potential purchase - cambelt/diff qn
Discussion
Hi all,
I’m going to look at a 147gta on Saturday - Japanese import on 80k Kms. From the ad it looks very clean and having watched a ton of videos I’m fairly smitten by them.
A thorough inspection on the ramps is out of the question as the import car market here (Dubai) is in a customs freezone and can only leave when duty is paid by the buyer.
I have a fair idea of what to look for and the advertised price is low enough to take any further risks onboard and allows budget to instantly get the belts, tensioners and water pump replaced. I’m having to look purely on condition not history as I very much doubt any history will be available. Even if it is, it will be in Japanese.
is it easy to remove the cam belt covers en situ and at least visually inspect the belt? Any other inspection possible without further disassembly?
Also how can you tell if an lsd has been fitted purely from a low speed drive around an area where maybe 30-40mph max is possible?
Other usual known issues, bushes etc should be easy to spot. I’ll be taking a jack and set of axle stands with me to look underneath.
Lastly, the dealer has 3 on sale. I’m smitten by the white one which has teledials fitted. Another has multispokes which look like team dynamics / oz allegerita type but I realise are standard fit. Which is the more desirable and lighter wheel?
I’m going to look at a 147gta on Saturday - Japanese import on 80k Kms. From the ad it looks very clean and having watched a ton of videos I’m fairly smitten by them.
A thorough inspection on the ramps is out of the question as the import car market here (Dubai) is in a customs freezone and can only leave when duty is paid by the buyer.
I have a fair idea of what to look for and the advertised price is low enough to take any further risks onboard and allows budget to instantly get the belts, tensioners and water pump replaced. I’m having to look purely on condition not history as I very much doubt any history will be available. Even if it is, it will be in Japanese.
is it easy to remove the cam belt covers en situ and at least visually inspect the belt? Any other inspection possible without further disassembly?
Also how can you tell if an lsd has been fitted purely from a low speed drive around an area where maybe 30-40mph max is possible?
Other usual known issues, bushes etc should be easy to spot. I’ll be taking a jack and set of axle stands with me to look underneath.
Lastly, the dealer has 3 on sale. I’m smitten by the white one which has teledials fitted. Another has multispokes which look like team dynamics / oz allegerita type but I realise are standard fit. Which is the more desirable and lighter wheel?
A visual inspection of the cambelt wont tell you much, if you dont have any evidence of a change...you will need to get in done.
In terms of Q2 diff, if you have the VIN you could call Alfa and ask but otherwise only by driving it and comparing to a non Q2, the traction control wont kick in nearly as much. Discussion here https://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/alfa-147-156-andam...
In terms of Q2 diff, if you have the VIN you could call Alfa and ask but otherwise only by driving it and comparing to a non Q2, the traction control wont kick in nearly as much. Discussion here https://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/alfa-147-156-andam...
saw the car last week. super clean, well priced, sensible mods.
main reason i didn't put an offer on there and then is that there was a shudder through the car at low speeds/revs with the clutch engaged. the vendor said it would probably be the master or slave cylinders. the clutch operated fine but the shift was very stiff.
a google suggests this is a common issue and he could be right. i just don't fancy taking a gamble and finding the problem is in the box itself. any ideas?
lining up a friendly alfa specialist to go with me next weekend, but would be good to read up on this.
main reason i didn't put an offer on there and then is that there was a shudder through the car at low speeds/revs with the clutch engaged. the vendor said it would probably be the master or slave cylinders. the clutch operated fine but the shift was very stiff.
a google suggests this is a common issue and he could be right. i just don't fancy taking a gamble and finding the problem is in the box itself. any ideas?
lining up a friendly alfa specialist to go with me next weekend, but would be good to read up on this.
Stiff shifting in the left right plane, but front to back is fine? That's the top hat bushes, about £5 in parts and 30 minutes of a competent mechanics time. Hard to get it in 5th & 6 = the gear lever carrier, £10 bit of plastic, but you have to drop the centre tunnel to get to it.
Shudder could be anything from engine mounts to driveshafts being knackered - not that scary.
Cam belt - you can undo the 10 mm bolts on the cam cover and see the belts and pulleys. Rusty pulley edge = belt not wandering, OK to drive. Shiny pulley edge = wandering belt (you can usually see the belt moving) = stop car and get it in a low loader to the garage. I changed a belt on a GTV 3.0 that was wandering and 40% ripped - probably had another 2 starts in it...
Shudder could be anything from engine mounts to driveshafts being knackered - not that scary.
Cam belt - you can undo the 10 mm bolts on the cam cover and see the belts and pulleys. Rusty pulley edge = belt not wandering, OK to drive. Shiny pulley edge = wandering belt (you can usually see the belt moving) = stop car and get it in a low loader to the garage. I changed a belt on a GTV 3.0 that was wandering and 40% ripped - probably had another 2 starts in it...
Gassing Station | Alfa Romeo, Fiat & Lancia | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff