2.2 JTS hesitation - now with new IMPORTANT information & escalation details

[tony44]

Originally Posted by Ran Sid

I sent my dealer a link to the thread, before checking the poor spelling and grammar! However, they did get in touch and said in the region of 10% of owners comment on the problem and that Alfa still don't consider it serious enough for a recall. I'm disappointed at this response, especially as they consider themselves a premium brand.

Dealers talking crap, they will never say that most 2.2's have the problem. Going off what is posted on this forum the majority of people with 2.2's have the hesitation/flat spot problem, maybe we need a poll.

If AD can sort it, then it is a p*ss poor showing from Alfa that a 3rd party can sort their problems.

[newalfa]

I've had my 159 since July last year and I had never noticed this hesitation. I guess I must have adapted to it without noticing.
However the information in the thread will be very useful in the future next time my wife is in the car.
"No dear I'm not accelerating away from the lights too quickly I have to drive the car this way to avoid the well know flat spot in the engine". . I think if I tried to add "I only wish I could drive the car more sedately" I might get a rather short response

[Commanderfish]

Originally Posted by Nev

But the AD fix is worth weighing-out
for not least because with all those people
looking at you while pulling away,
you don't want them to think you
can't drive.

I know what your saying is valid. My own personal experience is that now the engine has got 8500 miles on it, the problem doesn't appear. No doubt my driving style has compensated in part, but the problem certainly seems to have diminished. Will be interesting to see how the 2.2 performs in our new Spider being delivered next month.

[Nev]

It did reduce some by using the AD air filter
and using only Total SP98 fuel, but it was always
there.

The acid test was reverting back to the factory map
after servicing. I almost couldn't stand to drive the car
in town. (Almost.)


The current map that Jano put on is even smoother than
the previous version. So I'm all set for the summer now.
(Skyview open, windows down, sunnies on.... Hit it!)

[metalgod23]

Originally Posted by Nev

The acid test was reverting back to the factory map
after servicing. I almost couldn't stand to drive the car
in town. (Almost.)

Do you mean to say the remap gets wiped when the car is taken in for a service? I thought routine servicing doesn't include messing with the fuel maps. Was there a charge to put the modified map back on?

[Nev]

Originally Posted by metalgod23

Do you mean to say the remap gets wiped when the car is taken in for a service? I thought the services don't include messing with the fuel maps. Was there a charge to put the modified map back on?

The dealer was dicking around to fix the alarm
and all sorts. I even needed to enter the radio code
when I got the car back so lord knows what they'd
been upto.

No charge for the reload. (Thanks Jano!)

[andypj]

The 1.9 petrol is no better either: exactly the same 'chacteristics' or should that be symptoms.

You're right though, Alfa should be fixing this. I read somewhere on here that AD reckoned the powewr map of the 2.2 is something of a rollercoaster. It certainly feels like it in town!

[Andy Waine]

Both my 2.2 Brera and my other half's 1.9 159 do it. It is embarassing as you guys suggest, lurching at lights. Not sure I'd make 8.6 secs 0-60 with this problem. I intend to raise this with the dealer as before this thread, i thougt it was my driving.

[Fraser]

Sorry - can't resist anymore......
























Should've got a diesel

[tony44]

Originally Posted by Fraser

Sorry - can't resist anymore......


Should've got a diesel

A Tractor?

An engine in the Brera that costs an extra £3.5K and delivers what 4-5 mpg more than the 2.2

[Northern Spider]

Just read this thread about hesitation, I feel good now. After 19,000 miles in my Spider 2.2 I still get a hesitation when I pull away from the lights, so pleased its not me..!! I'll email my son too, he was very miffed that he stalled it a couple of times, and I thought it was him..!! Keep the revs up, slip the clutch and its fine !!

[Nev]

Originally Posted by Fraser

Should've got a diesel

Response is here:
http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/alfa-...ml#post1746428 (2.4 JTD...whats that whinning noise ?)

[tony44]

Originally Posted by Nev

Response is here:
http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/alfa-...ml#post1746428 (2.4 JTD...whats that whinning noise ?)

Good one

[Tobes]

Hi there

I too have the 'lurching' problem on my 2.2 JTS. Like others I try to drive around it but occasionally one forgets and the power falls away causing you to chug away like a learner on their first lesson! But also like others I've not bothered to complain - it's just a 'characteristic' of these cars; Alfa should really do the decent thing now and do a recall for all 2.2s and give them the proper map.....

BTW - how much is the Autodelta fix?

PS - I was at the Northern Italian Car night last night and a chap turned up in a 3.2 JTS Q4 (I'd not seen one actually on the road before...); anyway, he took me out for a quick blast and I have to say, if it wasn't for the fuel economy (8-24 mpg ) and the bleeding Darling tax on decent folk, I'd have one like a shot. It made a decent sound (although not like the old GTAs etc), fired out of corners like a rocket and felt absolutely rock-solid. Told my wife about my experience but got the usual "you're not having another car ". But it just seemed to be so much more together than the 2.2 which felt a bit feeble by comparison on the way home Hey ho.

[Fraser]

Originally Posted by tony44

A Tractor?

An engine in the Brera that costs an extra £3.5K and delivers what 4-5 mpg more than the 2.2

....and an extra 25 horses and 170 (that's one-seven-oh) Nm of torque.

[alfaman155]

i've always winged to the other half about this hesitation business..i reckon we should all complain to alfa romeo and see what they have to say about it...after all we have spent in region of 25k on each car and this is just not on

[Squadrone Rosso]

I've stuck this thread as it seems to be a real issue

[nigelread]

Mine has exactly the same problem as you guys .Not good having to keep slipping the clutch when in traffic it will wear out as fast as the tyres

[Ken 1]

We, should all write to Alfa Romeo UK complaining about the problem, enough letters may get a responce, and perhaps a free remap. I will get a letter off soon as posible, anybody else going to.

[alfaman155]

yep..just working on it now!!

[Squadrone Rosso]

Good man Alfaman155. I woild but they hate me already (2 - nil to Squadrone Rosso at the last count).

Someone mention the tyre wear factor too. My dealer confirms that this is a genuine problem (eating the inside edges). My Ti fronts will just about see 8k if I'm lucky

[JEZALF]

Mine has the same problem - (and the tyre eating).
I'm booked in for a few tweaks under warranty so I'll have a moan at the dealer.

Then I'll get the pen and paper out to ARUK.

Then I'll get on the phone to AD to get the job done properly

[hercules]

premium gas + AD air filter.
solve most of the hesitation problem.
And the sound is so much better now.

[Nev]

Originally Posted by hercules

premium gas + AD air filter.
solve most of the hesitation problem.
And the sound is so much better now.

True to some extent, but premium gas + AD filter + AD remap
completely solves all hesitancy issues.

[tony44]

Unfortunatley, I'm the sort of person who doesn't believe in having to pay for a remap on a £26,000 car just to get it to drive correctly.
I drive around the problem now but it doesn't mean its right.

I'm pretty confident that no other 'premium' brand would supply a car in this state.

We could do with a poll and then point Alfa UK in that direction and see if they can do something.