Advice on Alfas
Discussion
Can't really compare the 156 to a GTV - GTV has VERY different layout/design to a 156 - take the rear suspension - known to be a tricky setup on the GTV, any research beforehand would have bought this up.
As for oil - my 145 2.0 drinks oil - 1 litre every 2k miles. So in a 12k service interval, it has burned a lot and subsequently had a lot of fresh put in. You need to keep a check on it weekly without fail... some drink twice that amount, some don't drink any. But what I notice on mine... if it's kept topped up with clean oil - generally the oil after 12k miles is a LOT cleaner than a car which doesn't burn any. This will be kinder to your engine...
You can't miss the warnings, they stick them on the windscreen, you (should) get told very strongly by the dealer about oil consumption, and finally....the average oil consumption stated in the handbook is 1l per 1k kms
... so moral of this story... RTFM thats what it's there for 
It's just strange that Alfa will replace an engine under warranty for low oil after warning the drivers, yet RX8 owners won't get an engine replacement for total engine failure after low oil.
As for oil - my 145 2.0 drinks oil - 1 litre every 2k miles. So in a 12k service interval, it has burned a lot and subsequently had a lot of fresh put in. You need to keep a check on it weekly without fail... some drink twice that amount, some don't drink any. But what I notice on mine... if it's kept topped up with clean oil - generally the oil after 12k miles is a LOT cleaner than a car which doesn't burn any. This will be kinder to your engine...
You can't miss the warnings, they stick them on the windscreen, you (should) get told very strongly by the dealer about oil consumption, and finally....the average oil consumption stated in the handbook is 1l per 1k kms
... so moral of this story... RTFM thats what it's there for It's just strange that Alfa will replace an engine under warranty for low oil after warning the drivers, yet RX8 owners won't get an engine replacement for total engine failure after low oil.
alfa145uk said:
As for oil - my 145 2.0 drinks oil - 1 litre every 2k miles. So in a 12k service interval, it has burned a lot and subsequently had a lot of fresh put in. You need to keep a check on it weekly without fail... some drink twice that amount, some don't drink any. But what I notice on mine... if it's kept topped up with clean oil - generally the oil after 12k miles is a LOT cleaner than a car which doesn't burn any. This will be kinder to your engine...
I pick up my 147 tomorrow, does the same apply re oil to those as the dealer i spoke too said that the 156/gtv's were old tech and the 147's were in a different league ???
Same floorpan, though.
Can't comment on what the GTV book, and don't have the 145 book handy....
The 156's started with the phase 2 TS engine. I think the early GTV's started with phase 1 TS engine (same as 155s, preface lift 145/146's. The face lift 145/6 has the phase 2, so I really only have knowledge of that.
Does the 147 use the JTS engine now as the 156 does?
Regardless of whether it does or doesnt.... you should check the oil every week without fail - it's an alfa, not a mondeo. Overfilling any engine with oil is bad!
and 300 miles is every week for me, it always falls from max down to about 2/3's. Keep it topped up, then you have a bit of lee way incase you forget/can't for a couple of weeks...
The 156's started with the phase 2 TS engine. I think the early GTV's started with phase 1 TS engine (same as 155s, preface lift 145/146's. The face lift 145/6 has the phase 2, so I really only have knowledge of that.
Does the 147 use the JTS engine now as the 156 does?
Regardless of whether it does or doesnt.... you should check the oil every week without fail - it's an alfa, not a mondeo. Overfilling any engine with oil is bad!
and 300 miles is every week for me, it always falls from max down to about 2/3's. Keep it topped up, then you have a bit of lee way incase you forget/can't for a couple of weeks...
Type of driving determines how much oil is burt too - motorway driving = not a lot, towns/country lanes = a lot will be burnt.
the engine hardly used any oil for the first 12k miles, then after that it gradually used more and more till about 20k, where it has consumed the same amount for another 25k miles...
Are alfa's unreliable? Yes, not one breakdown in 45k miles... (smashing sump = me hitting object, not due to failure of engine/components!)
the engine hardly used any oil for the first 12k miles, then after that it gradually used more and more till about 20k, where it has consumed the same amount for another 25k miles...
Are alfa's unreliable? Yes, not one breakdown in 45k miles... (smashing sump = me hitting object, not due to failure of engine/components!)
I don't think that some experiences of oil consumption should greatly influence someone's decision whether or not to enter Alfa ownership. What really matters is if there is a reputable and competent dealer, or preferably specialist within a reasonable distance. Alfas are fine and fun cars which do, on occasion require specialist knowledge (as do many other cars).
It also greatly helps if the owner has an engineering orientation and is sympathetic to the car. Owners who do not understand even basic common sense mechanics, and who are unsympathetic to their machinery, inevitably endure a torrid time of Alfa ownership. However, those who take care of their Alfa and have even a basic understanding of what noises are good, and what are potentially expensive noises, will be rewarded with reliable and enjoyable service.
It is not a question of is an Alfa right for you, but are you right for an Alfa!
>> Edited by Alfa Mad on Friday 14th May 22:13
It also greatly helps if the owner has an engineering orientation and is sympathetic to the car. Owners who do not understand even basic common sense mechanics, and who are unsympathetic to their machinery, inevitably endure a torrid time of Alfa ownership. However, those who take care of their Alfa and have even a basic understanding of what noises are good, and what are potentially expensive noises, will be rewarded with reliable and enjoyable service.
It is not a question of is an Alfa right for you, but are you right for an Alfa!
>> Edited by Alfa Mad on Friday 14th May 22:13
As I said earlier, I have had no bad experiences with the 156, I don't get this oil use thing? even on the trackday at Rockingham it used NO oil at all, I have done 12k in it this year, about halve commuting into London the rest mixed motorway/A road driving and have had no problems. Will be using it to tow my racecar this season so maybe that will find its weak points!!!I do check levels etc fairly often and the car is pushed quite hard. However I do keep the revs below 3k until the it is warmed up properly.
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