Alfa Lacking Power

Around 4 weeks ago I noticed a lack of power when accelerating over 4k revs. Since then it has got worse and now really struggles over the 4k mark. Also upon starting it jerks if i accelerate more than a little.

I took it to my local friendly garage. He ran a diagnostic on it and said that track one of the accelerator was cutting out just over tick over and track 2 was doing all the work. He said it needing 'relearning' but his machine was not powerful enough (kept returning errors). He also pointed out that the system had over 180 reprogrammes and the fact I only have the red key could have something to do with it.

I WANT MY POWER BACK!

Any ideas out there? Could it be as simple as switching it off and back on again by disconnecting the battery? It there any truth in the red key theory? Most importantly will it be expesive and who can fix it?

Sorry to go on. Your help will be much appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Rob

'tis a simple Maf problem by the sounds of it.

On the induction pipe you will notice a wire plugged into a sensor. Unplug that, if all is well afterwards then your MAF needs replaceing (Tip, only buy a geniune bosch maf).

This fault does not show up on a typical diagnostic scan.

I had a similar fault 18 months ago and after some research I thought like ransoman that it was the Maf.

But to cut a long story short in the end it was a fault with my catalytic converter.... according to the mechanic at higher revs the pressure in the exhaust had caused a blockage and reduced the power in the engine.

Hope that helps...

Originally Posted by Spr1ngy

But to cut a long story short in the end it was a fault with my catalytic converter.... according to the mechanic at higher revs the pressure in the exhaust had caused a blockage and reduced the power in the engine.

Hope that helps...

That happened to my Escort recently. It would accelerate to about 4,000 RPM and then it'd be like driving into a severe headwind!

I ended up splitting the exhaust, and ramming a rod up the cat to get all the knackered ceramic out of it (a big piece was blocking it).It will do until the MOT comes around...or it falls apart...whichever comes first!

Originally Posted by ransoman

'tis a simple Maf problem by the sounds of it.

On the induction pipe you will notice a wire plugged into a sensor. Unplug that, if all is well afterwards then your MAF needs replaceing (Tip, only buy a geniune bosch maf).

This fault does not show up on a typical diagnostic scan.

this is the best advice to start with - nothing else should be done till you try this - its a FREE test too.

btw, your mechanic clearly has no knowledge at all about Alfa's - you need to find one that does for next time

let us know how the MAF test goes

(while MAF unplugged your engine management light will come on and idle will be wonky - but you can test the rev range to see if it improves - all will be back as is once re-connected)

i had this too its either your cats on its way out or your air flow meter is ****ed.

Consider the Lambdas they might be causing an intermittent fault.