I have just bought a 166 TS Lusso, guy says that a/c needs re-gassing, but internal console display says A/C fault please contact workshop. Doesn't blow icy cold when a/c set to low, Is it likely there is another fault I need to get fixed or would a lack of coolant gas cause the fault display? Any other recommendations for this model. Cam belt and tensioners fitted 6K ago.
It does seem to have a slight low speed judder when pulling away/accelerating upto about 2.5K revs, but is smooth on the motorway or above 3K revs...any suggestions (clutch/flywheel/something else). I'm happy to spend a bit of time and effort putting this car right if it's not silly money as body & interior are in tip top condition
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The guy says it just needs re-gassing? So why didn't he have it done then before you bought it? It may just need re-gassing but there is a significant chance that there is a leak somewhere and needs a component or two replacing. You need to take it to an air-con specialist for a proper diagnosis.
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my brother in law is an air-con engineer (trucks not cars though). If it's just a re-gassing thing then he can do it, but if it needs more then who knows. As it will be easy for him to gas me (I'm sure the missus would like him to sometimes) I'll start there. If it's not that then what else is possbly wrong...compressor, are there any other replaceable parts. I know about engines but not refrigerators!
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The 2.5 and 3.0 versions suffer from drive shaft problems and wear clutches out at a rapid rate the autoversions are a real headache when they start to go wrong the manuals still suffer from syncro problems,the 2.0 is the one to have as long as you do regular oil changes and cam belt changes.The six cylinder motors look lovely though when you lift that bonnet.
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It may be worth removing the wiper scuttle panel & checking the wiring that goes to the control motors for the heater as the wiper linkage is prone to wearing through the loom!, the wires are thin & require close inspection. When they get rubbed through by the wiper linkage it displays A/C fault contact workshop!. I have done a few & the last one had had over a grand spent at an Alfa Dealer having ECU's etc when all it was was a broken wire.
is it V6 or two litre? if its 2ltr take to Alfa for oil changes & google alfa big end failure! uasally occurs within 30 miles of an oil change! & very common & have experienced this more than once even with priming an oil filter & using alfa products so I don't do oil changes now if they have done 70k+
Regards Doc
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it's a 2L TS. The car has done 100K miles, but the engine has done 60K. The guy I bought it off bought it with severe big end knock (knowing) and had a second hand 'good' engine fitted 6K miles ago, where the cambelt tensioners & oil/filter were all changed. It drives well (I have had 164's in the past sohave a comparison point), but I am a little more concerned about the slight vibration as I pull away/accelerate upto about 3K revs. Then it goes away and is as smooth as it should be. ALso the clutch is much heavier than I remember (or maybe it's just because I've driven a Passat for the last several years?). Should the clutch be fairly heavy? Anyone know of a good indpendant Alfa specialist around Basingstoke or Bournemouth area's? Or should I take it to somewhere like Roberts Aerospace...anyone have any experience of them?
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When working properly the clutches are as light as a feather,but wear in the drive train will cause the same problem as would a bad wheel bearing .
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thanks Andy don't think it's wheel bearing as it shudders from pulling away from rest, so wear in the drive train sounds more likely. What sort of wear are we talking here...clutch/flywheel/somewhere else. I may also have not made it clear, it's not the clutch operation but the effort required to push the clutch pedal down...unlesss that's the same thing. It seems very stiff to push, as if its on a strong spring!
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First it is a low speed judder and then it is a vibration. Which is it?
Does it happen in all gears at below 3,000 rpm.
Could it be hesitation in the engine fuelling. I ask because the Alfa engines advance their timing at 3,000 rpm at which point more oil is also pumped past the variator.
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Judder on clutch takeup can be a lot of things, one of which may be worn or damaged engine/gearbox mountings. Of course the commonest cause is a worn or contaminated clutch.
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