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So I bought a 2.4 JTDM Ti....

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1K views 24 replies 6 participants last post by  DKVelo 
#1 ·
Been on here for a while. Didn't own an Alfa when I first came on but now I do.
Its a 57 plate (2008) 159 Ti Estate with the 2.4 JTDM engine.

Drove lovely on the test drive. Ran smooth started perfect each time. Driving home I now have two issues already haha.

1 - Hill start assist unavailable warning. Started coming on and off then stayed on permanently. Had a google. Someone says clutch position sensor switch could be the problem? I have noticed that when changing up a gear sometimes it will seem to not wanna go until the revs have slowly risen and then it will take off like a rocket. Could this by down to the same thing you reckon?

2 - Loud knock on the front left when going over bumps. This wasn't noticed on the test drive as that was mostly just driving around in a town steadily and smoothly unfortunately so it didn't sound as bad.

Oh and 3 kinda - Noticed that the engine temp when being ran a long time sits at 80c on the gauge. It did then eventually go up to 90 when I slowed down and was driving around in the town but then dropped back to 80c when driving back home.

Ooooh and a quick one. Did the Ti model in the 2.4 engine come with an upper strut brace as standard? It has "Alfa Romeo" writen on it and I was told it was standard. I am begining to doubt this now haha.

All of the issues above I can put up with easily enough and it isn't making the car unuseable I'd just like to get them fixed.
It seems there are a lot of very knowledgeable people on here and thanks in advance for any advice :D Can't wait to get it perfect haha (well as perfect as an Alfa can get lol)

Thanks, Jack
 
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#2 ·
2 - Loud knock on the front left when going over bumps. This wasn't noticed on the test drive as that was mostly just driving around in a town steadily and smoothly unfortunately so it didn't sound as bad.

Ooooh and a quick one. Did the Ti model in the 2.4 engine come with an upper strut brace as standard? It has "Alfa Romeo" writen on it and I was told it was standard. I am begining to doubt this now haha.

Thanks, Jack
2. That can be the steering arms twisting, and it can be the connections to the antirollbar that are worn or loose.

It exist original, but is not as far as I know, mounted from factory.
 
#3 ·
Thanks for your reply. I went out for a drive. The clunk noise got way worse going down the lanes near my house. Then after when I drove it again it was hardly there. It seems to clunk when putting my foot down and letting off the throttle as well :/

And ooh okay so like dealership fitted?
 
#5 · (Edited)
That could be your lower torque arm on the engine. If the noise is only there when you go on or off throttle, it is most likely this fault

Rightclick open in new tab
https://www.shop4parts.co.uk/?name=store&op=Details&ProdID=7433&sku=22480

The rubber bush dissolves on the small end, when it gets in contact with oil and the power of the 2.4 is quite hard on the little thing (mounted to the oil pan)

It is an easy control if you get under the car. Just grab it and check for play.
If it is this part that is the mistake.
You risk getting a hole in your oilpan (= dry engine = dead engine) And it is an easy and cheap fix.

(P.S. I don't know the shop I linked to. It was just the first and best image I found on google)

Otherwise, it could be the front lover control arm rear bushes. They allow quite some movement



Powerflex


(And trust me, you will love it with powerflex!)

In my experience the upper wishbones squeeks a lot before they start klonking
 
#4 ·
The loud knock (number 2) will almost certainly be the upper control arm bushes (inner one mostly).
The temperature (no 3) is possibly the thermostat but depends on the outside temperature.
Hesitancy whilst accelerating could be a restricted EGR or DPF which is common on these models. Id take it for a good hard run (10 miles or so at 2500rpm) to force a regen.
Re the hill hold issue, try disconnecting the battery for half hour, sometimes help to reset electrical gremlins.
 
#6 ·
Brilliant. Cheers for your help guys :D

I will have a go at disconnecting the battery. Also it would make sense that there is an issue with the DPF as the man I bought it off had hardly used it for a long journey for about 2 months before I bought it. I'll take it for a motorway blast later :p

Looking at that video there I have noticed that they have one of those moving ramps. I know a place near me that has them so I will take it up there and see what they can find :D I'm sure it will stand out obviously on one of those things.

I have ordered a clutch position switch from eBay as I have also found out that I can't start the car by pressing the clutch I have to use the brake pedal. Which is pointing towards the clutch sensor not working. Hopefully it's just the switch and not any wiring issues etc.

Thanks again guys :D much appreciated. Just spend the last 2 and a half hours giving it a damn good wash. Unfortunately the bloke I bought it off had only used the quick hand car washes at super markets -_- so the paint is pretty flat. It's getting booked into a detailing place as soon as possible to get it all machine polished and ceramic coated :D
 
#9 ·
So small updates :)

1 - Clutch sensor switch ordered as it was confirmed not working as I have to press the brake to start the engine not the clutch.

2 - The clunk was the upper left wishbone. Can get one for £87 made by Lemforder and get fit for about £60-£80 depending on time. I asked the bloke at the garage if it would be worth getting the other one done at the same time and he honestly said it looks fine just leave it until it causes problems.

3 - Considering buying a new thermostat as when starting the car the radiator hose warms up very quickly and I'd think that it shouldn't warm up until the temp gauge at least gets up to 70+ I'd guess. (Stat opens at 88c apparently but often I find dash gauges read a little high?) Either way it seems to allow coolant to pass too early.

4 - Insides of the tires are quite worn compared to the outside. The guy at the garage said it might be worth getting the tracking looked at after the new upper wishbone has been fitted. So that will get done soon as well.

Overall cost so far.

Upper Wishbone - £87
Labour - £60-80
Thermostat - £20?? -Anyone know where to get just the stat from and not the whole housing?
Clutch Switch - £9.80

So total - £190..... Not bad! Now just gotta work out why the auto wipers are useless!
 
#10 ·
That's good news and not to expensive.
Id get the tracking done by an Alfa specialist if I were you. Plenty of threads on here re settings.
Autolusso or Alfa Workshop will have a thermostat in stock I suspect.
My auto wipers are useless also but I can live with that.
These things eat wishbones unfortunately but the bushes can be replaced cheaply. It's worth keeping the old ones as sometimes they can be rebuilt if you have the time or inclanation.
 
#11 ·
There aren't many places too near to me. But there are a couple of hunter hawk eye places very close that I could go to and they seem to be fantastic for camber, tracking, toe, etc on all 4 wheels as well :D

I will get in touch with them about the thermostat as well :) cheers
 
#24 ·
#25 ·
It can be difficult to find proper dealers.
I have binned ricambi.alfisti.net because of how much time they need to answer mails or ship parts.
And because they sell stuff that doesn't fit properly. And they don't consider them self as responsible when they sell parts that actively destroys the engine. :-/
 
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