Gearbox failure Alfa Romeo Spider 3.0 1998

[jhlbsk]

I have had the car from new in the Middle East, and had the "usual" niggles with electricals, A/C, vibrations at 80kmph described as "scuttle shake" etc. The car has been excellent despite all these minor issues. However, having only covered 39 000 kilometres the gearbox has failed and will need rebuilding at a quoted cost of £850. Does this sound reasonabl? Similar problems to other writers describing poor workmanship in some areas of repair, and the time I took the car in, left it, and came back to find that the mileage was less than when I had dropped it off, despite them having to road test it. The car was full of sand, speaker blown and traces of cigarette ash on the mats. The things some people will do to drive a car.

[pwig]

Did they say what cause it to blow?

[jhlbsk]

The speaker or the gearbox? As far as the gearbox goes, I will have it repaired, although I had considered part exchanging the car and not buying another Alfa. However, Alfa's really get into your blood and I want to keep the car even though I know that there are likely to be problems in the future as the car ages. You don't buy an Alfa if you want reliable trouble-free motoring.

[pwig]

gearbox

[pdV6]

Have to say, I'd imagine that Kuwait is a pretty harsh environment for an open-topped Alfa. In the UK at least, gearboxes dying is a very rare occurrence in these cars, especially at that sort of mileage.

[jhlbsk]

Possibly because the car rarely does a long run, and by that I mean more than 30kms, it is put through the gears, particularly 2nd and third a lot during short runs. When cold,i.e. just started, getting it from 1st to 2nd is tortuous, and you can feel metal rubbing inside, however once warmed up it feels reasonable. The garage now are reluctant to open the box up and say it feels fine to them. In a way I'm happy as it may save me a big bill, but any ideas would be much appreciated.

>> Edited by jhlbsk on Tuesday 14th February 16:55

[jamieboy]

That's a bit of a jump isn't it? The garage that said it had "failed and needs replaced" now saying "it feels fine"?

Good news for you, anyway, but I'd maybe use a different garage in future.

[pwig]

Sounds like you need a change of gearbox oil to me??