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166 2,4 JTD reliabilty

2K views 4 replies 2 participants last post by  neil00001 
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#1 ·
Hi Folks,

quick intro, Brit living in Holland, currently driving a Merc 300TD, which on the whole has been a reliable if not boring motorway basher, I commute 200 miles/320kms a day. Looking for something a lot more interesting but as reliable. I have heard that the JTD motor is a gem and that its quite frugal. Have Alfa finally sorted out their build quality and reliabilty? What am i to look for or to expect as an owner of a 166.
Please give me some good news for once as I certainly dont want a Audi/BMW/Merc/VW....

Thanks in Advance.

Neil
www.neilwells.com
 
#2 ·
Hi Neil and welcome to the forum.

Can't help you with the 166 JTD although I hope they're reliable as I'm waiting to pick up my 156 JTD to replace my TS 166.

The 166 was a wonderful car to drive and I'll be sorry to see it go, but I have had my fair share of problems (see thread "166 going"). I am, however, of the opinion that the previous owner was not kind to the car as the problems I've had were so bad and I think most other owners on here have had fair to good reliability. In addition, the build quality now is night and day compared to just a year or two ago.

It's easy for me to say go for it, but it's your money. Go and drive one and see what you think. The 2.4 JTD is a wonderful engine and there are fewer more pleasurable cars of that type to be in and drive. As a bonus, you get to be on the Alfaowner forum, which is the best there is ;)
 
G
#3 ·
Thanks Fraser for your input, I forgot to mention that I am after a second hand car, its really not worth me buying a new car driving over 50,000 miles a year, just wish Alfa's were as cheap in Holland as they are in the UK. I do like the 156, and I wish you well with your new car.
Lucky geezer...LOL

Cheers,
Neil
www.neilwells.com
 
#4 ·
I cant coment on the 166 but for the 2.4JTD engine it is very good. You should look out for the following if buying a second hand car.

1.Turbo-> alfa uses Garret are are probably the best and most realiable turbos out there...Mercedes use's Garret as well. But in old card the turbo might be over...look for oil leaks from it and abnormal pulling power over 2000rpm.

Changing oil frequently is very important for the turbo...so have a look at the service book...

2.MAF- or the sensor that measures the air going into the engine...It is made by Bosch and fitted on Audi,Mercs, and many others...Bosch belives it is something like the oil change so it usually needs to be replaced somewhere between 60 000-80 000km's....the problem is that it doesnt show a faulty code on the diagnosis computer...But if the car pulls hard from 2000 to 3000rpm then stops the MAF should be replaced...with other words if the car has strange beheviour when accelariting the MAF might be "over"

the are three versions of this engine....136hp, 140hp and 150hp. the the 140is much quiter then the 136 and same can be said for the 150hp...remeber you can always get a remap for your can and turn it into real performance alfa....170hp to 190hp with huge amount of torque for overtaking

Good luck with getting the righ car.
 
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