147 JTD problems

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Rollcage

Original Poster:

11,327 posts

192 months

Monday 1st October 2012
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Just bought a (cheap!) 147 JTD Lusso on a 53 plate - as far as I'm aware it's an 8v 115BHP one

It's main problem seem to be that it has no boost at all! When revving the engine it wont run past 3000rpm, whereby it coughs and stumbles.

I have removed the air intake pipe at the inlet manifold, and the engine then revs cleanly enough, if a bit sluggishly.

When it is connected, the inlet pipe gets crushed when the engine is revved, which I wouldn't imagine to be right, as it should be pressured on a turbo.

The car revs better with the pipe disconnected in various places through the intake system all the way up to the turbo itself, so the intercooler wouldnt appear to be blocked. I have taken the air filter out, which was heavily deformed due to the air being sucked through it, rather than blown through.

This set of symptoms point to some sort of turbo problem to me, but I have also seen talk of a variable vane controller, which I imagine is the actuator type thing hanging off the turbo.

I've disconnected the MAF, which has made it rev more freely, but it won't rev past 3250 RPM at all - clouds of smoke and starts to miss and stumble. Also check all the vacuum pipes that I can see, which seem fine.

I'm diagnosing solo at the moment, so can't see if it moves up and down or not!

Also, the fuel pump seems to make a strange noise, like it's running dry - doesn't do it all the time , but doesn't not do it for long if you see what I mean!

Next plan is to get the turbo off and see if it's knackered or not I guess - any other ideas worth trying?

Many thanks for any input.

RicksAlfas

13,387 posts

244 months

Wednesday 3rd October 2012
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Rollcage said:
When it is connected, the inlet pipe gets crushed when the engine is revved
I had this on my 156.
I had hoovered up a large rabbit and it was wedged in the intake pipe before the air filter...
irked
So I would suggest you work back from the inlet pipe, check the air filter and housing and the intake pipe right back to it's opening.





Raverbaby

896 posts

186 months

Thursday 4th October 2012
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I had identical problems on my GT 1.9JTD 2 weeks ago, I hadn't long got the car back from the garage getting other various things done.
My problem turned out to be an "EGR Valve".
The mechanic said he repaired the solenoid and gave it a good clean.
May be of help to have a nosey through here.

http://forum.alfa156.net/forum/search.asp?KW=egr&a...

I may be barking up the wrong tree though as I'm not a mechanic.


RicksAlfas

13,387 posts

244 months

Thursday 4th October 2012
quotequote all
Blocked EGRs tend to stop the engine and bring the management light on. I'm not sure it would compress the intake pipe, but it is a fairly simple, although mucky, DIY job to clean them.

Rollcage

Original Poster:

11,327 posts

192 months

Thursday 4th October 2012
quotequote all
Would a blocked EGR give rise to those symptoms - ie no boost at all? I haven't had chance to whip the pipe off the turbo to check if there is any play yet, but hopefully will do tomorrow.

Thanks for the answers so far - I will keep you updates.

Raverbaby

896 posts

186 months

Thursday 4th October 2012
quotequote all
Rick will know better than me, but my speed was limited to 3000 revs, when my foot was on the floor there was very little or no torque.
My engine management light did come on though, as yours hasn't it's probably not the same thing.

RicksAlfas

13,387 posts

244 months

Friday 5th October 2012
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I tell you what it could be. A common problem is the boost pipe from the intercooler to the turbo rubs on a stud on the bellhousing and once it gets a hole in it you lose the boost and get lots of black smoke. This was mine. You can see the hole just to the right of the elbow, below the rusty nut.



The pipe is about £60 and when you refit it (it's just two pipe clips) you can grind the stud away and/or twist the pipe slightly to get more clearance:



It's an easy DIY job, the main fiddle is getting the bloody undertray off... smash

Well worth a look as it happens a lot. I just didn't think it would crush the intake pipes but I suppose it might.

Rollcage

Original Poster:

11,327 posts

192 months

Friday 5th October 2012
quotequote all
Thanks for that. Fortunately (or not, judging by the state of the crossmember) mine is missing the undertray! Ill hopefully get some time later on, and can have a more thorough look around.

RicksAlfas

13,387 posts

244 months

Friday 5th October 2012
quotequote all
Ah! That makes it easy then. Just stick your end under and see what state that pipe is in.