Alfa Romeo Forum - Blogs http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/blogs/ The Friendly Alfa Romeo Club - If you are looking to buy or you are already an owner, sign up to alfaowner.com today to get the most from your ownership en Fri, 19 Mar 2010 12:33:08 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/images/grey/misc/rss.jpg Alfa Romeo Forum - Blogs http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/blogs/ The Purchase http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/blogs/faust/the-purchase-297/ Tue, 09 Mar 2010 05:15:03 GMT Sometimes life conspire against us, I have been happily commuting to work and back in the Western Cape with my motorcycle, then I got promoted and transfered to Gauteng. This also meant that I need to get more "appropiate" transport.

I was not prepared to finance a new car, thus the hunt started for a second hand car, also I set a limit of 70 000 rand for this car. I know it is not much, but I was looking at the Volvo S40's, they appeared to be quite a lot of car for my price, also I was not keen on some boy racer Golf, Opel or such..as my wife said, you just plain full of it.

Let me tell you, it is not fun hunting for a secondhand car, you get some real scary people out there. I can tell you stories about bearded ladies and one eyed men that smell of rum and garlic, but that will only cause those recurring nightmares to return.

Slowly the shortlist grew:
Volvo S40 t4 - 2003 model, 120 000 odd km's on the clock in good condition with full service history
Mini Cooper S - 2004 model "CODE 3"
Alfa Romeo 147 1.6 T-Spark 2002 model

We went to have a look at the Alfa, man I was never so disappointed in a car, it was in horrible condition, I did not even want to get into the car, scared that I might break something, not that there was much left to break.
Now I was down to the Mini and the Volvo, the guy with the mini had some family problems he had to sort out thus I never actually got to see the mini ( probably good thing)
The Volvo was starting to look like a made deal, took it for a test drive and I must say that Turbo is something lekker. It was just a case of doing the paper work, but it did not feel right. So back to the drawing board and the classifieds.

On my way to pick up the latest classifieds I spotted a Chrysler PT Cruiser, told the missus, let's have a look at the cruiser, next to the cruiser was a 2003 Alfa Romeo 147 Selespeed, the problem with it was, was that it was 5k above my limit I set.

Had a look at the cruiser and the Alfa, I could not believe how sweet the Alfa still looked, clearly the car was well looked after, PT Cruiser long forgotten, took the 147 for a test ride, except for the numberplate light warning, everything seems to be working fine, it has a full service history, appears to only have had 2 owners. Then the dealer dropped 7k on the price.

We had a deal. ]]> Faust http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/blogs/faust/the-purchase-297/ Should I copy OA???? http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/blogs/tomfromtelford/should-i-copy-oa-296/ Mon, 08 Mar 2010 21:40:41 GMT Maybe I should do a project 147 thread for JTDs (the dark side) A few bits done and still going ;) thoughts? Maybe I should do a project 147 thread for JTDs (the dark side)

A few bits done and still going ;)

thoughts? ]]> tomfromtelford http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/blogs/tomfromtelford/should-i-copy-oa-296/ New dual exit zorst fitted :) http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/blogs/tomfromtelford/new-dual-exit-zorst-fitted-295/ Mon, 08 Mar 2010 21:38:43 GMT Had a cat back system fitted last sat, dropped past MIJ performance in wolves. Superb service had it fitted the same day within 1.5 hours :wow: quality is top and it sounds great. ;) Had a cat back system fitted last sat, dropped past MIJ performance in wolves. Superb service had it fitted the same day within 1.5 hours :wow:

quality is top and it sounds great. ;) ]]> tomfromtelford http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/blogs/tomfromtelford/new-dual-exit-zorst-fitted-295/ The Sunday Drive Part Deux http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/blogs/wishfulthinker/the-sunday-drive-part-deux-294/ Mon, 08 Mar 2010 07:51:21 GMT We were both a bit fragile Sunday morning and decided a good walk would do us good. My sister had been staying and we did not go to bed Saturday night until around 2 o'clock so, by the time we managed to get out of the house, it was gone dinner time. Where to go? Somewhere close by seemed the best option, we decided on Hollinworth Lake near Rochdale. So off we sets. A quick blast up the M62 and we arrive at Milnrow and we find our selves in a traffic jam. What was going on I have no idea, I didn't wait to find out. Hollinworth Lake was out. So following my nose, because I find reading a map and driving at the same time a bit of a hassle, we find our self on a road to Huddersfield (A640 New Hey Road), the sort of road with "this road is closed due to snow" flashing lights at the start of it. Well it was a lovely road, up over the moors. Loads of great views, snow still lying thick in the hollows and by the road side, a patch work of browns and greens most artists would struggle to capture (why, oh why did I forget my Camera). The chance to open up Betsy in 'D' mode and enjoy the thrill of driving. Mrs Wishful and myself had a blast. We just drove, had no idea where we were going really. We stopped, briefly, near the B6114 Saddleworth Road turning to stretch our legs and carried on driving, ending up at Scammonden Water. We had another walk. Mrs Wishful fell over in the mud, all my fault of course. Well that meant no pub lunch for me, she would not be seen dead in a hostelry of any kind with mud on her trousers. Back into civilisation we skirted Elland and Sowerby Bridge. Up the Halifax Road (A58) through Triangle, Mrs Wishful loved that name "where do you live?" "Triangle" she kept saying, shame the pub seemed to be closed. Time to get back up into the hills me thinks. So we take the A672 Oldham Road. It was such a sunny day you could almost pretend you were driving some Alpine pass somewhere in Italy, you had to pretend real hard though. The MiTo did love the road. It stuck to the corners, sure footed like a mountain goat. It accelerated well, ironing out the hills like a crisp linen sheet. It was a joy to drive, I must say, much better than my boring commute to work. Any way we ends up back in Denshaw, which is were we started, sort of. Our journey was now nearly complete. We dropped down into Oldham then home, the hills receding into memory and a flurry of busy Sunday traffic. All in all a good drive and one to remember, if I can find it again. I might try B6114 next time, that looks good. ]]> WishfulThinker http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/blogs/wishfulthinker/the-sunday-drive-part-deux-294/ The Wife http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/blogs/scabies/the-wife-293/ Fri, 05 Mar 2010 11:43:39 GMT One Week in and she is still enjoying her new car, 156 Sportswagen 1.9jtd, she is still sad about the sale of her 156 saloon, but she will get over it. I have treated her to new rear tyres to-day, the car that is! I... One Week in and she is still enjoying her new car, 156 Sportswagen 1.9jtd, she is still sad about the sale of her 156 saloon, but she will get over it.

I have treated her to new rear tyres to-day, the car that is! I wonder if she will see this as a Mothers day present, last year i bought her a new iron, i wear it well!:thumbs: ]]> Scabies http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/blogs/scabies/the-wife-293/ Machine Head http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/blogs/coyotes_uk/machine-head-292/ Wed, 03 Mar 2010 22:40:15 GMT Just a quick blog to say, last friday at the Manc Apollow Machine Head were chuffin awesome! They always do dmn great live shows and this did not dissapoint! They were joined by Bleeding Through and the always great... Just a quick blog to say, last friday at the Manc Apollow Machine Head were chuffin awesome! They always do dmn great live shows and this did not dissapoint!

They were joined by Bleeding Through and the always great Hatebreed! If you fancy reading up on it I did a quick blog post here:

The Angry Budgie: The Angry Budgie Live: Machine Head, 26th February, Manchester Apollo ]]> coyotes_uk http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/blogs/coyotes_uk/machine-head-292/ What To Do? http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/blogs/wishfulthinker/what-to-do-291/ Thu, 25 Feb 2010 07:47:43 GMT I have to admit I have been tempted recently. I considered the possibilty of upgrading my MiTo to a 159. A bigger car, looks very sexy, etc, etc. A nice, friendly, local dealer was looking into it for me. Well, it seems,... I have to admit I have been tempted recently. I considered the possibilty of upgrading my MiTo to a 159. A bigger car, looks very sexy, etc, etc. A nice, friendly, local dealer was looking into it for me. Well, it seems, that on my budget it would be impossible, but this has thrown up another dilemma. Apparently I can afford a Cloverleaf Multiair Mito or a 135 multiair MiTo. Of course this could all be sales talk and a ploy to get more money out of me, money I do not have. Mrs Wishful certainly thinks so. She thinks I should not be thinking about it at all in the curent economic climate, plus we have a few other projects for this year, like the garden, to consider and that the dealer will want a deposit. She is the voice of reason. But part of me is thinking though what if? Suppose the dealer is telling the truth? Suppose I could have a new Cloverleaf MiTo or even a a 135 sitting on my drive for the same or a little more money than now? I am very tempted, but there has to be a catch, must be surely.

What to do? ]]> WishfulThinker http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/blogs/wishfulthinker/what-to-do-291/ Nighbreakers http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/blogs/spyder84/nighbreakers-290/ Wed, 24 Feb 2010 15:25:24 GMT I've just fitted 2 sets of H7 Osram Nightbreakers on my 147.

Went for a blast down some country lanes bobbington way last night, and I've gotta hand it to them it was almost like driving in the daylight with the high beams! highly recommended.

I got them off PowerBulbs Ebay store, I've dealt with them through their site before, but they've undercut themselves on ebay, and their service is excellent! :thumbs: ]]> Spyder84 http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/blogs/spyder84/nighbreakers-290/ 1st Round _ Kyalami http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/blogs/inmyblood/1st-round-_-kyalami-289/ Sun, 21 Feb 2010 17:00:06 GMT 1st practice, lap 3. Car sounds incredible as the Class A cars drown each other out. Then we wait and here comes the Alfa, unique exhaust note from that 6! Then it lets go as the 7000 rpm tackles the number 2 conrod as it... 1st practice, lap 3. Car sounds incredible as the Class A cars drown each other out. Then we wait and here comes the Alfa, unique exhaust note from that 6! Then it lets go as the 7000 rpm tackles the number 2 conrod as it attempts to exit via the block!
Thats the end of practice for the Alfa GTA.
Heres the incredible part to this story - the car gets taken to a pretoria skyjack and Gary and the team fit a new block and conrod overnight!
Can you imagine doing that job, far from your workshop late into the night? AWESOME EFFORT!
No qualifying for the next day, but yet the car is on the grid for the 1st race of 3 for Saturday!!
Hats off to these guys. Cmon SA lets help these private alfa guys!
Results to follow for saturday's races in next post..
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]]> Inmyblood http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/blogs/inmyblood/1st-round-_-kyalami-289/ Racing with Gary Green and Alfa Romeo http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/blogs/inmyblood/racing-with-gary-green-and-alfa-romeo-288/ Sun, 21 Feb 2010 16:47:08 GMT Last Friday saw the start of the Wesbank super series at Kyalami. Our company joined forces with the private entry of the Alfa 147 GTA entry in class B of the production car series. Some may remember when Alfa SA officially... Last Friday saw the start of the Wesbank super series at Kyalami. Our company joined forces with the private entry of the Alfa 147 GTA entry in class B of the production car series. Some may remember when Alfa SA officially raced 2 cars as a factory team some years ago, well that fell apart and Gary of Gary Green Auto bravely bought one of these cars and ran it last year in the class.
This year we undertook to supply them with a laptop to help setup the car which is running an australian electronics system.
Having owned Alfa's all my life its great to be part of the only Racing Team running these cars on the national circuit here in SA.
If anyone would like to help Gary financially to "go faster" and wave the alfa flag plse PM me as I intend to setup a fund for these guys.
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]]> Inmyblood http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/blogs/inmyblood/racing-with-gary-green-and-alfa-romeo-288/ steering rack problem add your name http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/blogs/bam1234-2007/steering-rack-problem-add-your-name-287/ Sat, 20 Feb 2010 14:55:02 GMT well guys what can i say:tut:?? From what ive read on this sight theres alot of owners who have had the same problems as me with the steering rack on the 159 to be frank im trying to collate as many owners detials on this... well guys what can i say:tut:?? From what ive read on this sight theres alot of owners who have had the same problems as me with the steering rack on the 159 to be frank im trying to collate as many owners detials on this blog so i can atleast go to alfa and report it to vosa as a dangerous manufacturing fault because someone could lose their life.so please feel free to email me > michaelturner091265@virginmedia.com By the way the cars booked in the garage with power steering problems again:rant: ]]> bam1234-2007 http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/blogs/bam1234-2007/steering-rack-problem-add-your-name-287/ AO Fleece http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/blogs/spyder84/ao-fleece-286/ Tue, 16 Feb 2010 21:22:25 GMT I ordered myself one of those AlfaOwner flleces after spotting some of the guys wearing them at the last AOWM meet. Well impressed with the product quality, and good delivery time.. maybe time to stock up the wardrobe? lol... I ordered myself one of those AlfaOwner flleces after spotting some of the guys wearing them at the last AOWM meet. Well impressed with the product quality, and good delivery time.. maybe time to stock up the wardrobe? lol

AO Shop - The Alfa Romeo Parts Shop ]]> Spyder84 http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/blogs/spyder84/ao-fleece-286/ Alfa 164 Zender Alfa Sport - April 2005 http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/blogs/v6junky/alfa-164-zender-alfa-sport-april-2005-285/ Fri, 12 Feb 2010 10:13:10 GMT APRIL 2005 - Engine being stripped!
(Go to March 2005 HERE)















Terrific garage with experience in all Alfa's old and new and they know their way around a V6. Good friends also who allow me to get stuck in from time to time and help out. We discovered that the heads had been loose for some time probably due to constantly overheating over the years. There was no actual damage to the gaskets themselves and we could see that there simply was no part of them that had a good seal. The heads were taken apart and all 24 valves were inspected along with the valve guides, springs, etc. It all looked to be in great shape including the piston liners so the heads were sent away for milling. We discovered that the previous owner had tried to disguise the overheating issues by taking the thermostat out and leaving only the housing in place (hence it stayed too cool on a run and overheated in town!). He had also wired the low speed fan relay which triggers with the A/C only, to the high speed relay (engine cooling). Basically the leaky heads created a low pressure system which meant the thermal radiator switch would not trigger the high speed fan. The engine would only be cooled by switching the A/C on which is why it overheated upon arriving with the car and going for a spin in the cool afternoon (with the A/C off you see!). Fortunately I knocked him down by over a thousand Euros so it all stayed within budget… :rolleyes: well sort of.... :D

to be continued... ]]> v6junky http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/blogs/v6junky/alfa-164-zender-alfa-sport-april-2005-285/ Alfa 164 Zender Alfa Sport - March 2005 http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/blogs/v6junky/alfa-164-zender-alfa-sport-march-2005-284/ Fri, 12 Feb 2010 10:03:31 GMT Well I thought it was about time I set up a Blog entry seeing as this Alfa 164 is my very first project that I have ever udertaken. So where did it all start? It started back when I was a student with an Alfasud 1.5 ti... Well I thought it was about time I set up a Blog entry seeing as this Alfa 164 is my very first project that I have ever udertaken. So where did it all start?

It started back when I was a student with an Alfasud 1.5 ti that I bought off a friend. The car had a 1.3 single carb engine which between my brother and myself, we swapped it out for a 1.5 twin carb engine out of a bent Sprint Veloce. We did the timing on it and took apart the carbs (Dellorto 38 twin venturi's I seem to remember) and gave them a good clean and new gaskets. Since then there has been no looking back although fatherhood took the wind out of my sails until I came across my 3rd Alfa 164.... the Zender Alfa Sport.

MARCH 2005
Photos of the next day after collecting it from Malaga with a sick 79,000 km engine.











I bought the car knowing full well it had overheating issues and presumed I would need to do a head gasket job at some point so to be honest, it was not really a project I was looking for, more the case that it found me as problems were more serious than I suspected. Shortly after the 200 km trip home where it had sat at a constant 70º at speed (too low as 85/90º is about right as we know), it started to overheat in traffic (110º) so I pulled to the side to let it cool. After cooling and topping up with water, I discovered that water was dribbling out of the front head onto the floor! It then started to misfire and blow white smoke out of the exhaust as water was also pouring into cylinders 4, 5 and 6. I basically needed to take immediate action and had to suffer seeing it parked for a two weeks while a slot opened up at my local garage. :cry:

Go to April 2005 HERE ]]> v6junky http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/blogs/v6junky/alfa-164-zender-alfa-sport-march-2005-284/ New Clutch http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/blogs/spyder84/new-clutch-283/ Thu, 11 Feb 2010 21:32:54 GMT Just had the clutch replaced by SImply Alfas in Lye. The guys are legends, and even tidyed ip the wiring for my strobes un der the bonnet!

Feels like I'm driving a new car now, not that I wanted to get of her, but the vibrations at times were literally shaking the whole car like a blender or something random.

Now I'm just scrimping for my Service, MOT and Insurance in April..

Also got some bits n pieces i'd like to get done before the show / cruise season heats up in 2010. Bring on Sunny AutoItallia days out! :thumbs: ]]> Spyder84 http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/blogs/spyder84/new-clutch-283/