R-reg Alfa 146 ti
Discussion
Hi Guys,
New boy here.
I thought this would be as good a place as any to ask for a little feedback/help.
My mother has recently offered me her Alfa red R-reg Alfa 146 2.0 ti to me as she just doesn't drive it and it has spent the best part of a year in the garage without seeing the light of day.
It's been garaged from new and therefore is in pretty good nick. Especially as it only has around 26,000 on the clock.
I remember driving it a few times when she first bought it, and whilst it isn't the quickest car around, I do remember it being a great deal of fun, very responsive and sounded lovely when you got the revs up.
I'm aware that it'll need a bit of TLC given its hardly been driven over the past 5-6 years, will need to alternator etc looking at but I was wondering if there is anything else that I should look out for?
Thanks in advance.
New boy here.
I thought this would be as good a place as any to ask for a little feedback/help.
My mother has recently offered me her Alfa red R-reg Alfa 146 2.0 ti to me as she just doesn't drive it and it has spent the best part of a year in the garage without seeing the light of day.
It's been garaged from new and therefore is in pretty good nick. Especially as it only has around 26,000 on the clock.
I remember driving it a few times when she first bought it, and whilst it isn't the quickest car around, I do remember it being a great deal of fun, very responsive and sounded lovely when you got the revs up.
I'm aware that it'll need a bit of TLC given its hardly been driven over the past 5-6 years, will need to alternator etc looking at but I was wondering if there is anything else that I should look out for?
Thanks in advance.
Getting to be a rare car on the road. Values on a Ti only going one way. Up!
Cam belt is the first item. Every 3 years or 36000 miles which ever is first.
Rust may not be a problem yet with such low miles so some preventative measures would be good.
Maybe post in the Italian section? I’m on the 145/146 forum which would help more.
Enjoy it!
Cam belt is the first item. Every 3 years or 36000 miles which ever is first.
Rust may not be a problem yet with such low miles so some preventative measures would be good.
Maybe post in the Italian section? I’m on the 145/146 forum which would help more.
Enjoy it!
Unbusy said:
Getting to be a rare car on the road. Values on a Ti only going one way. Up!
Cam belt is the first item. Every 3 years or 36000 miles which ever is first.
Rust may not be a problem yet with such low miles so some preventative measures would be good.
Maybe post in the Italian section? I’m on the 145/146 forum which would help more.
Enjoy it!
Not sure if she's ever changed the cam so I'll look into that.Cam belt is the first item. Every 3 years or 36000 miles which ever is first.
Rust may not be a problem yet with such low miles so some preventative measures would be good.
Maybe post in the Italian section? I’m on the 145/146 forum which would help more.
Enjoy it!
Cheers Unbusy. I'll do that.
If it has been parked up that long, I’d be eyeballing the tyres for cracked/knackered sidewalls too.
As others have said, changing timing belt on these is probably overdue on yours at 3 years or 36,000
I almost got one of these when looking for a snorter but opted for a 147 as they were cheaper...146 prices have bottomed out as they’ve mostly died out now so enjoy some depreciation free driving!
As others have said, changing timing belt on these is probably overdue on yours at 3 years or 36,000
I almost got one of these when looking for a snorter but opted for a 147 as they were cheaper...146 prices have bottomed out as they’ve mostly died out now so enjoy some depreciation free driving!
First check oil level, top up if needed, then start and run up to full operating temp. If it starts making a diesel noise from the top end of the engine (cambelt side) then budget a new variator into the cost of the cambelt. If there is no evidence of the cambelt, prioritise it.
Just usual stood car checks then - cracked tyres, sticky brakes, handbrake operation, check brake/hose condition and fuel pipes. Whilst your under the car check the floor pans front and back for holes. In fact I'd do this before shelling out on any work.
Just usual stood car checks then - cracked tyres, sticky brakes, handbrake operation, check brake/hose condition and fuel pipes. Whilst your under the car check the floor pans front and back for holes. In fact I'd do this before shelling out on any work.
Definitely worth seeking out an Alfa specialist for the cambelt change as they should have the cam locks needed to ensure timing is correct, blobs of tippex etc are not going to work on these engines.
The usual cause of cambelt failure was usually seized tensioners on the TS's so make sure both of these are changed, IIRC the originals had black plastic wheels and were notorious for seizing/breaking up, these were replaced with a white plastic version with improved bearings and eventually by a metal wheeled version of sorts which I believe is still current issue.
While you are doing the belts (on a 2.0 you have a cambelt and balancer shaft belt btw) it might pay to change the cam variator if the car sounds at all "diesely" which is a sure sign this part has worn..its a belts off job anyway and will ensure the engine stays sounding sweet.
Oil is mega important on these too as consumption can be high so use a decent semi-synthetic 10W/40 as Alfa recommend and check the level weekly/fortnightly as required...the 2.0 exhaust runs very close to the sump and low oil can easily overheat leading to bottom end bearing failure.
Most of all just enjoy it though, I've had TS versions of the 155, 156 and a couple of GTV's in the past and would happily have another if a decent example came my way.
The usual cause of cambelt failure was usually seized tensioners on the TS's so make sure both of these are changed, IIRC the originals had black plastic wheels and were notorious for seizing/breaking up, these were replaced with a white plastic version with improved bearings and eventually by a metal wheeled version of sorts which I believe is still current issue.
While you are doing the belts (on a 2.0 you have a cambelt and balancer shaft belt btw) it might pay to change the cam variator if the car sounds at all "diesely" which is a sure sign this part has worn..its a belts off job anyway and will ensure the engine stays sounding sweet.
Oil is mega important on these too as consumption can be high so use a decent semi-synthetic 10W/40 as Alfa recommend and check the level weekly/fortnightly as required...the 2.0 exhaust runs very close to the sump and low oil can easily overheat leading to bottom end bearing failure.
Most of all just enjoy it though, I've had TS versions of the 155, 156 and a couple of GTV's in the past and would happily have another if a decent example came my way.
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