Fun with the sportwagon
Discussion
The joys of Alfa ownership I suppose.
Engine light yesterday. Suspected it was a simple misreading off the sensor, but of course there's no easy way to reset the ECU and see if it comes back. So, pulled the battery for an hour or so today while checking fluids and the like.
Several things came to my attention.
1) The washer bottle is sodding *huge*. I think it took 5 litres of liquid and it wasn't empty.
2) It's impossible to top up the oil on the V6 without pouring it all over the engine as well, such is the angle of the filler cap.
3) It's very possible to drop the oil filler cap down the front of the engine when trying to replace it....
4) There's not a lot of room down there. I now have no skin on my right arm.
These things complete, I reconnected the battery, and let the car idle for 10 minutes or so. No engine light.
I therefore decide to go for a little spin, theorising that a blat to the redline in 2nd and 3rd, followed by some low rev full load pulls in higher gears will help the ECU relearn the fuelling, and if there is a dicky sensor the CEL will come back and I'll need to take the car to the shop and have someone read the codes.
Pulling onto the main road, the backbox blows.
Bloody car.
5) A V6 with little silencing is very, very amusing indeed.
I almost don't want to fix it....
Engine light yesterday. Suspected it was a simple misreading off the sensor, but of course there's no easy way to reset the ECU and see if it comes back. So, pulled the battery for an hour or so today while checking fluids and the like.
Several things came to my attention.
1) The washer bottle is sodding *huge*. I think it took 5 litres of liquid and it wasn't empty.
2) It's impossible to top up the oil on the V6 without pouring it all over the engine as well, such is the angle of the filler cap.
3) It's very possible to drop the oil filler cap down the front of the engine when trying to replace it....
4) There's not a lot of room down there. I now have no skin on my right arm.
These things complete, I reconnected the battery, and let the car idle for 10 minutes or so. No engine light.
I therefore decide to go for a little spin, theorising that a blat to the redline in 2nd and 3rd, followed by some low rev full load pulls in higher gears will help the ECU relearn the fuelling, and if there is a dicky sensor the CEL will come back and I'll need to take the car to the shop and have someone read the codes.
Pulling onto the main road, the backbox blows.
Bloody car.
5) A V6 with little silencing is very, very amusing indeed.
I almost don't want to fix it....
Edited by Mr E on Sunday 11th January 22:13
I was quite amused by the washer bottle thing. For a tiny opening and a bottle that's hidden away in the wing it takes an amazing amount - had to pick up some screenwash at a petrol station and got a big 5-litre pre-mixed one and it happily took the lot.
Apparently a weak battery is a fairly common reason for the engine light (plus "Motor control system failure" if you have the on-board computer) - especially in the winter. Cold weather plus lights, heater and stuff, ask a lot of the engine and the voltage dips more than it should, enough for the ECU to have a bit of a fit.
Apparently a weak battery is a fairly common reason for the engine light (plus "Motor control system failure" if you have the on-board computer) - especially in the winter. Cold weather plus lights, heater and stuff, ask a lot of the engine and the voltage dips more than it should, enough for the ECU to have a bit of a fit.
Sorry chaps, car went to exhaust place today for a standard back box. We were tempted by a SS replacement. Also, I *may* have revved her a little along the way to show to the passenger how fruity a V6 can sound without being strangled 
She's not been this quiet for months! Amazing what you get used to.
She's not been this quiet for months! Amazing what you get used to.
sjg said:
I was quite amused by the washer bottle thing. For a tiny opening and a bottle that's hidden away in the wing it takes an amazing amount - had to pick up some screenwash at a petrol station and got a big 5-litre pre-mixed one and it happily took the lot.
That tiny opening is ridiculous! I poured most of a 5L pre-mix over the wing and engine after having to stop at a Mway service station.bint said:
Sorry chaps, car went to exhaust place today for a standard back box. We were tempted by a SS replacement. Also, I *may* have revved her a little along the way to show to the passenger how fruity a V6 can sound without being strangled
She's not been this quiet for months! Amazing what you get used to.
Any tunnels on the way? She's not been this quiet for months! Amazing what you get used to.
I found a stainless Ragazzon was cheaper then the standard back box on the 166 by quite a margin.
funwithrevs said:
Any tunnels on the way?
I found a stainless Ragazzon was cheaper then the standard back box on the 166 by quite a margin.
Alas no - I did contemplate a detour but had a limited lunch hour and had to go buy belgian beer (of which I maybe partaking of now....).I found a stainless Ragazzon was cheaper then the standard back box on the 166 by quite a margin.
Was £100 for a standard back box, would have had to replace middle bit as well if had gone for SS and taken up to closer £250 - not a bad price really, but as the SW is used as our snotter it's not worth putting an exhaust on that's likely to last longer then the car!
bint said:
funwithrevs said:
Any tunnels on the way?
I found a stainless Ragazzon was cheaper then the standard back box on the 166 by quite a margin.
Alas no - I did contemplate a detour but had a limited lunch hour and had to go buy belgian beer (of which I maybe partaking of now....).I found a stainless Ragazzon was cheaper then the standard back box on the 166 by quite a margin.
Was £100 for a standard back box, would have had to replace middle bit as well if had gone for SS and taken up to closer £250 - not a bad price really, but as the SW is used as our snotter it's not worth putting an exhaust on that's likely to last longer then the car!
Was quoted about 500 for an Alfa back box on the 166, half that for pattern but no one had it in stock. That is before fitting mind!
Stainless was ~400 quid fitted.
funwithrevs said:
Nice price!
Was quoted about 500 for an Alfa back box on the 166, half that for pattern but no one had it in stock. That is before fitting mind!
Stainless was ~400 quid fitted.
How far 'darrrn sarrf' are you? maybe worth a trek to Swindon for my supplier next time.Was quoted about 500 for an Alfa back box on the 166, half that for pattern but no one had it in stock. That is before fitting mind!
Stainless was ~400 quid fitted.
Oh and I've just seen your other car in your profile :drool:
bint said:
funwithrevs said:
Nice price!
Was quoted about 500 for an Alfa back box on the 166, half that for pattern but no one had it in stock. That is before fitting mind!
Stainless was ~400 quid fitted.
How far 'darrrn sarrf' are you? maybe worth a trek to Swindon for my supplier next time.Was quoted about 500 for an Alfa back box on the 166, half that for pattern but no one had it in stock. That is before fitting mind!
Stainless was ~400 quid fitted.
Oh and I've just seen your other car in your profile :drool:
Sadly the weather isn't really up to playing with the other car, it has sat in the garage for ages now. Roll on spring...
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