Gearbox blues

[147itagirl]

Hi there, just wondering if I can get a word of advice here, a couple of days ago I noticed my car "skidding" when in first gear and could hear a clicking/whirring noise coming from the engine when shifting gears, also car power was noticeably lower when moving car in first gear. Anyway I take the car to my independent garage here in Cork and he comes back to me saying there's a crack in the aluminium gearbox and it's leaking oil (obviously). He is saying that he won't know if the problem is just there or if oil is actually leaking from gasket/seals or if it is a broken cog until he takes the whole gearbox down and opens it. he said he will have to order a gearbox (he quoted me approx 300€ for it + labour) then he said also the clutch and bearings need changing and those another 300€ + labour, so an approx total of 900€ altogether....does it seem fair to you? I have tried few websites here like carparts.ie or micksgarage but they don't do gearboxes and frankly I don't feel comfortable buying something like that online.
I'd rather deal with a garage directly and being a woman I wouldn't want to be taken for a ride if you know what I mean... Thank you for your precious advice in advance and will keep you posted on developements!

[rikd]

Nasty to hear...

I'm no expert - but if it's happening in 1 gear then it's most likely an issue with the gear box. A leak is not good, and a crack is even worse news.
Any ideas where he's getting the gearbox from? €300 sounds like a second hand unit. Try and understand how much mileage it has on it, etc..

Curious he's also quoting for a clutch change - maybe he's just trying to prepare you for the worst.

Where did you bring the car to? Sounds to me like the diff is locking up if it is skidding?

[Alfa155 TS]

the Cork lads on here swear by Lee's garage so try getting it in there for a quote

[Dermo]

yes as Alfa155 the lee has the best rep as a dealer in cork and will tell you only what needs to be done ...Tell them you are a member here and they will look after you

[Red156Ti]

a good used 2nd hand box, €200 max, new clutch another €250max, labour €250 max, €700 max would fix it.

If you call in Lee Garage Cork city, ask for Paul. He is a 1st rate technicain & and all round good guy.

I know of a good 147 box from a car with 72k miles on it. I can ask about it for you if you wish?
I'll be down Cork way on Saturday I could deliver it to you, if thats any use.

TBH from your description i could be as simple as the clutch or slave is worn/leaking & need replacing. What mileage is on the car?

The oil leak may not be from the box but it could be that the slave is leaking fluid which in turn is wetting the clutch causing it to slip.

Really you need to bring it to a person who knows Alfas & who won't B.S. you, Paul is your man in Cork. I & others can vouch for his great work & honesty.

PM me if you want his contact number

[rhett71]

Two years ago I had problems with my gearbox. It started with a huge whirring (bit like a wheel bearing but all the time) and ended up with the gearbox stopping me from engaging any gear depending on what mood it was it was in, sometimes fine and sometimes locked in a forward gear! I went down the road of a full gearbox rebuild, problem was car was off road for a month waiting for the parts, Crown wheel and mainshaft to come from italy. Cost me well over £1400 and a month of car hire so about £2500 all in. Because the gearbox has to be taken off of the engine it would be crazy to not replace the clutch at the same time, this would be a £450 job on it's own if the car was healthy in every other way, get a quote from someone like MR Clutch if you have them? If you have access to an alternative vehicle whilst the work is being done I don't think that is a bad price, it is a big job, BUT you need at least a 3 month guarantee on the parts and labour if the replacement gearbox fails and seriously, accept nothing less or they are just ripping you off. The only other thing to ask is what engine your car has? If it has a Dual Mass Flywheel when the clutch is changed it may or may not need this as well and that is another big expense but I think only the JTD's have these? Hopefully someone like David C will put us right?

[Red156Ti]

I would assume ts a 1.6 TS engine car as the highest % of 147's in this country is 1.6TS, not too many JTD 147's here in Ireland

[rhett71]

You don't know what you're missing!! and it can run on Chateau Rouge!! Experience the FINE! At least that should make for plenty of spare gearboxes cos 200 euros sounds really good to me!!

[147itagirl]

Guys, thank you so much for all your replies and tips, the garage is an independent one in Blackpool on Commons Rd, I have taken all my cars there for the last 10 years I've lived here in Ireland and yes, the gearbox is second hand but he did not tell me how many miles it has on only that all the parts have warranty should anything go wrong in a few months (hopefully not).
Car is a 147 1.6lt. and has 69K miles on the clock.
He told me that a new gearbox would be at least 500€ not including labour.
Dermo and Red156Ti many thanks for your advice on giving Garage Lee a call, I simply assumed (obviously I'm wrong) that a dealer will almost always def try and rip you off but it doesn't seem the case for them, good to hear!
Red156Ti you are saying the slave cylinder could be the one leaking fluid?
This mechanic has apparently a lot of experience with Alfa cars and he was telling me that very few garages would actually touch an Alfa (yes it is a rare breed but we're proud of it, am I right?)
Also my father in Italy who has refurbished few vintage cars and knows them well is saying he does not understand how my garage says to change the whole gearbox if they're not even sure where the problem is coming from yet...!

[jf_cole]

If you can pick up a 2nd hand gearbox for €300, its cheaper and quicker than splitting the box open, finding out whats wrong, ordering in parts and fitting again.

The crack i assume is visible at the moment, so it wouldnt be the slave cylinder which fits between the gearbox and engine. If its leaked oil and having major issues as you suggest, lots could be wrong inside and could have put untold stress on other parts which could break in the future due to running with a lack of oil. Best to replace in full.

Alfa's are pretty unique and I have learned even trusted mechanics struggle with these cars and can make mistakes. I take the car to a specialist if its anything mroe than routine servicing.

As for the clutch, has it ever been changed before? If not, he has made the right call to replace it. You would be due a clutch change anyway (normally) within the next 20k miles, you might as well do it now, while the engine and gearbox are out, than paying again in maybe 6 months to have the gearbox taken off.

[147itagirl]

jf cole...brilliant tips, thank for that and no, the clutch has never been replace before so if you're saying this will save me another trip to the garage and more money for another big job then i suppose i will have to just go with it now. when he rings me I will ask him how comfortable he is in doing this job, I dont want him to say he can do it when really my best bet is to take it to a qualified Alfa dealer for the repairs since the money I have to fork out is pretty much the same...
The crack is very much visible, I am just amazed the gearbox was still working (and I could change gears no problem too)

Yep, bringing it to the Lee is your best bet really they will also ring before they do any work on the car and will not rip you off honestly. They wouldn't be a Fiat dealer for this length of time if they where anyway bad.

[rhett71]

Originally Posted by 147itagirl

Also my father in Italy who has refurbished few vintage cars and knows them well is saying he does not understand how my garage says to change the whole gearbox if they're not even sure where the problem is coming from yet...!

Did you read my post? You will end up with a no risk repair but 200 eurogearbox and exchange labour will be a lot cheaper than a strip and rebuild but depends on your budget and reliability needs. The 2nd hand gearbox is alaways cheaper but is a justifiable gamble when considering the costs involved.

[Franko]

I dont like the sound of your mechanic.....

Box in the 147 is weak in my opinion....i changed one in my 147 with the clutch........no point messing around opening the box......if you have noise and skidding the box is locking up and its ****ed.....so get a secondhand one from a breakers......i can recommend the guys i used or Pat may be able to help you and off the top of my head i think a clutch kit is 120 euro.....

In the scale of things its not a major job really...one days labour max......best of luck

[Red156Ti]

I've phoned & texted my friend about the 1.6 box he has but he has not got back to yet. I think he is out of the country.

Frank, where can you buy a clutch kit for €120? I usually have to pay closer to €200 for the 1.6 clutch kit. Maybe I'm been ripped off

[Franko]

Originally Posted by Red156Ti

I've phoned & texted my friend about the 1.6 box he has but he has not got back to yet. I think he is out of the country.

Frank, where can you buy a clutch kit for €120? I usually have to pay closer to €200 for the 1.6 clutch kit. Maybe I'm been ripped off

I will check out the price this morning, im sure i have the invoice somewhere......its possible im thinking of a punto aswell

I'd say your thinking of a Punto Frank I had to buy one before and its around the 200 notes mark even with the discount I get off the lads I know.

[147itagirl]

The whole gearbox I'm getting is from a 147 with 50K on it and comes with 3 months warranty so really can't ask for more...as for the clutch kit I've been quoted 240€ incl.vat so doubt you can fine one for 120, maybe it is a Punto! Anyway, Monday the job will be done so fingers crossed everything will run smoothly

[Alfa155 TS]

whatever you do dont loose your receipt, you might want to call on that 3 month warranty if something goes wrong, as the lads said Alfas for the most part are only safe in an Alfa specialists hands

Hopefully it will all be sorted. And when it is get yourself to a meet.

[Franko]

I paid 120 for clutch kit sachs....... rest of you are getting molested

[Franko]

Wonder how this job went, a follow up would have been nice....

we'll probably get it in 3months time when its broken again and out of warranty.

Thats shocking of me, I'm sure it'll be fine. just a bit of a pessimist I suppose...

[Franko]

Originally Posted by propellorhead

we'll probably get it in 3months time when its broken again and out of warranty.

Thats shocking of me, I'm sure it'll be fine. just a bit of a pessimist I suppose...