Attention: Alfa Mechanics and Tech-heads

[FlashBack]

Hi All,

I know that the diesel vs. Petrol theme has been done to death here. However, it seems to me that most of the discussions seem to degenerate into those who like diesel vs. those who like petrol.

That's not what I'm interested in. To explain: I had a 156 2.0TS selespeed. The 159 looks beautiful to me and I will be test-driving a 159 2.2JTS tomorrow.

However, I have a very good relationship with an Alfa specialist mechanic (a younger guy, but still 30yrs, or so). He has worked on all sorts of Alfas, although he's never worked in the Alfa dealer workshop (his old man has had an independent Alfa workshop for 40 years). So, I called him and asked for his opinion.

In a nutshell, it was, go for diesel. However, he hasn't worked much on the 2.2JTS. However, his experience on the older JTS was that they were crap (compared with the 2.0TS, which were good). To further explain - I live in Australia, where the diesels have massively outsold the petrols.

He tells me that the diesels are an extremely solid engine and that, even with the turbo, they are a great build.

So, to my question: If there are any Alfa mechanics or other very experienced Alfa tech-heads out there, who are qualified to give their opinion, then I'd be very grateful if you would do so.

In particular, are is worries about the JTS warranted? Or has Alfa fixed this (this car is a 2007 model, BTW).

Thanks in advance.

[Ralf S.]

There's no such thing as a "crap" Alfa engine.

Ralf S.

[alfafanatic100]

FlashBack;4109402]Hi All,
However, I have a very good relationship with an Alfa specialist mechanic. So, I called him and asked for his opinion.
In a nutshell, it was, go for diesel. However, he hasn't worked much on the 2.2JTS. However, his experience on the older JTS was that they were crap (compared with the 2.0TS, which were good).

Ask most non alfa mechanics what they think of Alfa and they will mention all sorts of reliability issues and then say avoid the brand, i take these comments with a pinch of salt.
If you took too much notice of what mechanics say we'd all be driving Nissan primeras or whatever they are called, with a diesel lump a good car maybe but Alfa romeo are cars with style and carisma, also a 100x better looking than anything else for similar money.

[biffa]

What i've seen is that the diesels in the fiat alfa group are widely used by other car makers... the JTS on the otherhand is or was developed along side GM/Vauxhall both engines have there weakness... Early 2.0 JTS's were troublesome and the 2.2JTS had hesitation issues (which were solved via a remap non alfa).
I feel as long as you service both engines at proper intervals both should serve you well...

[typos1]

Diesels are generally more reliable and longer lasting than petrols, mainly cos they have a less complex ignition system (no plugs/distributor etc) that requires less fine tuning, less complex induction system (no throttle) and they have stronger internals cos of the amount of torque they generate, this, plus their better economy is why commercial operators use them for virtually everything.

[NineOneSix]

Unless you get a 2.4JTDm, glug glug if you like the loud pedal Not that it concerns me mind

I drove the brera S 2.2JTS and I quite liked it TBH, I like the pull of the 2.4 but not the sound of the engine, granted it sounds lots better the 4 pot diesel.

[Pud237]

Originally Posted by NineOneSix

Unless you get a 2.4JTDm, glug glug if you like the loud pedal Not that it concerns me mind

I'll agree with you that the 2.4 JTDm is thirsty for what it is, especially compared to the 156 2.4, but its still more frugal than the 2.2 JTS or even the 1.9 JTS which is appallingly slow.

[typos1]

Both the 2.4 and the 1.9 are great sounding engines

[Pud237]

Originally Posted by typos1

Both the 2.4 and the 1.9 are great sounding engines

Compared to a 1.2 Corsa without any oil in it, I'd agree with you.

[NineOneSix]

Originally Posted by Pud237

Compared to a 1.2 Corsa without any oil in it, I'd agree with you.

Agreed ear plugs comes to mind from the sound of a diesel 4 pot 5 pot, sound hideous

[Pud237]

The 5-pot doesn't sound bad but I'd not say its a great sounding engine. Neither is a straight 6 or V6 diesel, they both still sound a bit gruff but OK on the move.

[typos1]

Well you either like the diesel sound or you dont, personally I d rather have a throbbing or purring diesel than a screaming petrol, s down to the individual I suppose

[NineOneSix]

Unless you have a boosted petrol, mines not a screamer but the sound is immense

[K9d]

Diesels Purr

Mine sounds OK but not a patch on my V6.

Anyway to the original question, I think it depends on what you want from your car and the sort of mileage you cover. If you want revvy fun and don't do too many miles get a V6 or if you must a JTS , if you want to look good but do lots of miles get the diesel.

[Pud237]

Originally Posted by NineOneSix

Unless you have a boosted petrol, mines not a screamer but the sound is immense

Is your turbo up and running now?

[NineOneSix]

Yep few niggles to sort but nothing special

[typos1]

So you ve turbod your 2.0 TS then ?

[NineOneSix]

No, I have a fiat coupe 2L 16VT smae motor out of the Lancia

[typos1]

Ah, same block as the TS then.

[NineOneSix]

Nope, it's a lampardi lump, pretty close though. The 20vt is kore like the TS though

[typos1]

I thought Alfa put TS heads on the old Fiat twin cam block in 87 when Fiat brought em ?

[NineOneSix]

They did, but it's been changed that much they're no longer the same

[Pud237]

Originally Posted by typos1

I thought Alfa put TS heads on the old Fiat twin cam block in 87 when Fiat brought em ?

The first Twinspark engine to use a Fiat block was the 16v that came out in 95.

[Chris155]

I personally think the diesels are crap. They get sooted up because of the egr system and lots of expensive things like inlet manifolds need to be either cleaned out (doable if it's the 1.9) or in the case of the 2.4, replaced at considerable expense. The injectors aren't the most reliable things in the world nor are the clutches and flywheels.

I believe that what you save in fuel bills you'll spend on maintenance.

[Pud237]

Originally Posted by Stratosphere

I believe that what you save in fuel bills you'll spend on maintenance.

That can happen, I've seen plenty of it. But I know loads who have covered some serious mileage in JTDs and not had any engine/transmission issues (myself included, 30k in a 2.4 10v CF2, 10k in a 1.9 8v CF3 and 10k in a 2.4 10v CF3)