Servicing an old Alfa ?

Hi Everyone,

As you might know, I recently had my exhaust changed - picked it up this morning and while I was there discussed having a major service as I'm off to France in 4 weeks.

The guy I deal with advised that it would be £100 for the service and and I would have to pay for anything after that that needed replacing.

He said it could come up to £250...... which I cannot afford this month as A) my tax and insurance will be £300 and B) I need spending money/ petrol money for France!

When I bought the car I was given a box of goodies which includes a new set of decent Alfa spark plugs, new air filter and I think oil filter plus other bits and bobs.

My question is what do I need to do for a service and is it hard to do?

Really can't afford that amount of money and Don who owned it did his own services anyway - its never failed an mot in its life so he must of been doing something right!

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks

Matt

The only thing you need is something to open the sump plug. Its a 12mm allen key on mine, presume the s2 is the same (strap spanner for the filter may come in handy too). Servicing these is so straight forward and if your brakes etc are ok, servicing the engine (plugs oils and filters) takes 30mins max.

Great well my dad will have all the nessessary tools for the job, so I need to change the oil, oil filter, air filter and spark plugs?

Cheers

That'd be the basic service for the engine. But as your taking it abroad I'd give the whole thing a once over. Check all your fluids etc and have a good look at your brakes. Chances are though if your driving it regularly then you'd know if something wasnt right.

Servicing these engines really is as easy as it sounds. let the oil warm slightly before draining it as it'll help drain the rubbish in the bottom of the sump. Watch the hands though, hot oil is no fun

On the spark plug front they really dont require changing that often, but if they are due, make sure the ones you are putting in have more than one electrode. If Don gave them to you and they are alfa, then thay may be Golden Lodge which are/were (very hard to come by) excellent. Failing that, a good triple electrode plug will work wonders. (ive got denso plugs in mine at the moment and they have been almost as good as the golden lodge plugs).

Right, will check the plugs tonight but I reckon there the good ones - as for the brakes not really sure what im looking for?

Thanks!

Bleed the brakes and make sure you have lots of material on the pads.

If your brakes are squealing you could take the pads out and then overhaul/lubricate the sliding pins but probably that may be excessive for the moment. Even just a bleed with new fluid will be worthwhile.

Ralf S.

I would take your time.

Keep tools away from the battery

Don't overtighten spark plugs (always get them tightened up by hand first)

Check and double check when you think you have finished.

Remember brake fluid is hyper corrosive to you and the car.

Don't be afraid to ask the obvious question. Years ago an instruction manual said to 'press' out a wheel bearing. Well I spent hours on that before someone told me that it means a hydraulic press!!

David

Best of luck.

David

Thanks for the replies - is bleeding the brake system easy enough to do?

Sorry but I really am a novice!! Don't want to break anything

And David, that is me all over!

bleeding brakes can be a problem is the bleed nipples are stuck, don't want to be snapping them a dose of wd40 or the like for a day or two beforehand won't hurt would be an idea to change the fan belt also, check for split driveshaft boots, also steering rack boots. check all the suspension joints for any free play although if you have recently had an mot there shouldn't be too many problems. an obvious one is don't forget to check all the lights so many people forget the simple things there are also some european countries that requset spare bulbs & 1st aid kit be carried, not sure if france is one but both items are always a good idea anyway. good luck

Hi Matty,
If not confident leave bleading the brakes if they work ok at the moment - check the pads and change them if required - and get someone who has bled brakes before if you really want to.
Oil + filter -some pointers-
warm engine to help drain,
Try to undo the filter by hand - a pair of marigolds is a great help!
replace seal on sump plug and put back before refilling!
smear oil on the face of the new filter and only do up hand tight - use an alfa filter.
fill wilth the right amount of oil
I like to turn over with ignition lead off to fill the filter before starting,
Check oil level after running at idle for a couple of minutes.
As DJ says take your time and don't overcommit.
Regards
James

Thanks for the replies!

Think will maybe leave bleeding the brakes until I get back as don't won't to potentially disable the car before I go..

Looked in the box today and there are 2 brand new fan belts along with genuine Alfa Romeo brake pads/ shoes?

There are 4 brand new spark plugs that are Bosch with 4 electrodes - look pretty good and also a Fram air filter.

It passed its MOT last month so lights and things should be ok - drove to france last year 2wks after passing my test so they should all be ok.

Thanks for the help - will use all your advice when doing my service!

Don't suppose you know where to get a genuine Alfa oil filter ?

Thanks!

Hi Matt, I got my oil filter from these guys for my Sprint

Alfa Romeo Specialist BLS Automotive

The part number for mine was 46805828. I'm guessing it would be the same for yours.

Do the plugs one at a time - this way, you cannot mix up the plug leads.
A bit of copper grease or anti-sieze compound on threads of sparkplugs is always a good idea. Alloy head, you see. And as stated previously, make sure you thread plugs in first by hand, so as to not cross-thread the plug threads in head. As David J. said, don't get carried away tightening the plugs, either.
Have a look at plug leads at same time, you are looking for cracks in the insulation.
And spare a little time to look at the cooling system - you are looking for frayed fan belts, spongy rubber hoses (top and bottom of radiator), and heater hoses in engine bay. A split in one of these can really ruin your day on the side of the road...

Mark, is that oil filter a genuine Alfa one?

I spoke to a company called Leisureways and they have a Fram one for £2.50 - will this be acceptable?

I have just compiled a list of all the thing I'm going to do going by what everyones posted.

Just need to work out how to change the brake pads now!

Thanks

Matt

Hi Matt. It is a genuine Alfa oil filter.

I don't think a Fram filter will do the job

Hope my old thread about the filter will be of use

http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/alfa-...il-filter.html (Boxer Oil Filter)

(The photobucket links are now defunct though)

Originally Posted by mattyv33

Mark, is that oil filter a genuine Alfa one?

I spoke to a company called Leisureways and they have a Fram one for £2.50 - will this be acceptable?

I have just compiled a list of all the thing I'm going to do going by what everyones posted.

Just need to work out how to change the brake pads now!

Thanks

Matt

I am glad that you are doing the service/repairs yourself.You will be suprised how easy and cheap it is.I will never trust my car to a mechanic,most of them don't know what they are doing when it comes to an older Alfa.
Regards

Cheers Mark, was going to buy a Fram filter but you have now persuaded me to buy the genuine article!

What was delivery on it?

Thanks Garry, I would like to learn more about my car too so this would be a good way to learn.