2006 Alfa 147 1.6 Ti sudden decrease in low down power

[Alfa147guy]

Recently felt a noticeable decrease in low down power/torque, any ideas how I can rectify this problem?

[Vitorio]

Which 1.6 do you have? The 105hp or the 120hp version? The 120 has a cam variator which might be stuck in high RPM mode?

[Alfa147guy]

I have the 120 version, how would I know if the cam variator is definitely "stuck" in that mode?

[Vitorio]

Alfa147guy said:

I have the 120 version, how would I know if the cam variator is definitely "stuck" in that mode?

I dont know TBH, i have a 105hp 1.6 myself

From what google tells me, i think (i stress think) the variator should kick in at ~2000 rpm, so if the car behaves as normal above 2K rpm, it might very well be that.

[Alfa147guy]

It feels pretty flat below about 4000 rpm 😞 It never used to. Still feels the same as it used to from about 4000-7000. How big a job is it to fix the variator?

[RicksAlfas]

Variators often make a rattly diesel sound on startup when they have failed. Usually they stick in the high position, so flat out high rev performance is unaffected. Their failure is often caused by dirty oil, so when you put the new one on, get the oil changed and keep up to it.

Useful guide here:
http://www.alfaworkshop.co.uk/cambelt_variator_wat...

[Alfa147guy]

The car does sound quite rattly on idle, especially when cold, is there any chance changing the oil may coax the variator back into life?

[RicksAlfas]

Doubtful it would help.

When was the cambelt last done? You could get it done next time you get the belt done.
(Ideally 3 years or 36,000 miles).

[Alfa147guy]

Cam belt and water pump were done 1000 miles ago, I don't think the variator was changed at that point

[RicksAlfas]

That's a shame. It used to be convention to do it at the same time.

[Alfa147guy]

Are there any ways I can try and get the variator going again without actually going in there and replacing it?

[RicksAlfas]

None that I know of I'm afraid. Sorry.

We are assuming it's the variator. As you've had the belt changed so recently you could ask the garage to check the timing is OK.

[Vitorio]

IIRC from my googling it yesterday, you might be able to fit a revision kit to the variator without taking the belt off

[Alfa147guy]

Is that an easy job? I'm not very confident working on my own car.

[RicksAlfas]

Have a read of this:

http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/engines-ts-jts-jtd-...