Alfa 166 running problems

Hi.

I have an Alfa 166 2.0TS 1999 with from what i gather quite a common problem. At idle the revs have been dropping to 500rpm and shooting up to 1500rpm and then settling down to normal. The car has also been hesitant when cold and shows a lack of power at low revs.

A few days ago i replaced the Air Flow Meter , cleaned the throttle body . This has cured the cold running problem and the revs dropping to 500rpm but now i have a new set of problems.

Before i fitted the AFM i was averaging about 29mpg around town and 35mpg on a good run but now lucky to get 20mpg around town and 26mpg on a run. When warm it sometimes idles at 2000rpm for a few minutes. Also if i floor the throttle the fuel consumption goes into single figures.

I,ve just ordered a Lambda sensor but it looks quite difficult to get at. Any suggestions or advice woukld be greatly appreciated.

I've had the same issues.

Mine is in the garage at the moment.

It should come out with a new lamda sensor - so I'll let you know if it fixes any issues.

I also have an AFM from a 2003 22k 166 which I will fit if it's not sorted.

Hope this helps.

BTW (it was the computer that said the lamda had gone)

Maybe this might help: http://www.alfadiag.net/index.aspx

lambda will probably help fuel consumption but ever since i monkeyed with AFM, TPS and lambda my economy has suffered.....

Thanks for the advice and help guys. I love my Alfa but its a frustrating sod

I love my 166 - but when I had the SAAB I frequented some VERY popular SAAB forums and never were there so many people with general "running" problems.

the weird thing is most of the problems aren't down to italian things but more to do with german (ie bosch!) electronics....kinda ironic

...ironic maybe, but it's the way the Italians put it together

wrinx

hehe - i guess so....

That particular issue that you describe where the engine can hunt between RPM is generally caused by an electrical problem or an air leak.

Now that you have sorted the air flow meter and cleaned the throttle body - you might double check that the "ring" the butterfly valve rests on when closed is also perfectly clean.

I would then remove your battery ***make sure you have your ICS Code before you remove the battery*** then with the battery removed hold the - (neg) and +(pos) battery terminals together for 20 secs. Before you re-connect the battery check the battery fluid levels and top up if necessary (deionised water). Also clean the battery terminals and lead clamps thoroughly making sure when you reconnect the battery you have good solid contact.

If that does not sort the problem then take apart and clean all ground terminals on the engine and body.

Check again to see if the problem is sorted......

....if not, then you need to give the the vacuum hoses a really detailed inspection to check for air leaks in the hoses, boots or gaskets, and replace / repair if necessary.

Check again to see if the problem is sorted......

....if not, the final thing you could do is remove and take apart the idle motor and clean with some isapropyl alcohol or brake cleaner....after that I cannot think of any other mitigation.

Good luck with it.