Cheap fix for a potentially expensive problem

[Richard Moss]

We all know that running an Alfa in the ME is not the cheapest or easiest option, especially as we are pretty much at the mercy of one dealer and one specialist. Parts prices are crazy and some take a long time to obtain from Europe.

Therefore, you may be interested to know that I saved myself about AED1500 by mending my fuel pump myself and curing a number of other electrical/running problems at the same time.

Here's a link to the thread:

http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/alfa-...imal-cost.html (Major faults fixed - at minimal cost)

[Dereth]

Hi...
I really need some help with my 147....the gear box is broken and i cant find
a cheaper place to repair it....any ideas please,if anyone is interested in buying
it don't hesitate...
contact me 0503963473 or derethagirah@yahoo.com

[Moonlightblue]

Dereth,

Don't know how handy you are or your situation in general, but Hussein's workshop in Dubai could probably fix you up with something.
When you say the gearbox is broken, have you self-diagnosed or have you had it checked. By and large gearboxes are pretty hard to destroy unless you crash them into gear, or generally mal-treat them. I would sooner suggest that someting else is causing it not to work. I dont know if it is manual or auto, but judging by what is sold in the Middle East, I would venture that it is a Selespeed model, and the selespeed selectors and engaging apparatus has some known failure points, especially on 156's but I assume they are similar in nature to the 147 boxes....

If you know it is trashed, there is an accident damaged 147 on Dubizzle for AED7000, I reckon you could get it for less than that, and have tons of spares :-)

[Dereth]

Thanks Moonlight..
I used to take the car to Husseins Garage,was jus looking for a cheaper alternative.
My car is a selespeed..147....I took to one garage in sharjah and the guy said the transmission
needs to be replaced...everything else is in perfect condition.

[Moonlightblue]

Dereth,

My 155 has spent a fair share of time at Max Garage in it's past and looking at the cost of some of the spares and labour, they seemed reasonable. I reckon a 147 would be MUCH easier for them to source parts, you might want to give them a try.
The diagnosis from your Sharjah man seeams a little inconclusive....to say the transmission is wrecked is a bit of a cover, in his defence though, I suppose it is going to require some labour to go over it. As I said, 156's have lots of troubles with the selectors and actuators...I dont know enough about them but I assume they are hydraulic, and when they fail, one might get the impression the gearbox is broken...is it driveable?

[almayer]

Originally Posted by Dereth

Thanks Moonlight..
I used to take the car to Husseins Garage,was jus looking for a cheaper alternative.
My car is a selespeed..147....I took to one garage in sharjah and the guy said the transmission
needs to be replaced...everything else is in perfect condition.

Dereth, Hussein is already cheaper compared to Gargash, maybe you should wonder which kind of service are you getting from a garage that is cheaper than Hussein. Come on guys, do we want repairs for free? If it's the distribution to be changed of course it's going to be expensive.

[Moonlightblue]

Al Mayer.....I get my repairs for free....

I just get dirty hands as a result...LOL. I am glad I did a trade when I was younger. There is no way anyone could have got my 155 back to decent without spending more than double what I have spent to do so....

I agree that Hussein's prices are ok in most cases, and he is willing to help out where he can, but he also knows there is little alternative. That said, he needs to make money, there is no red crescent/red cross outside his shop :-)
It helps if you can diagnose and pinpoint problems, it leaves less scope for 'additional costs'...I have asked Hussein to replace the clutch on mine, and as I know it means taking the subframe out, he has offered to fit a steering rack for the cost of the parts....the labour is negligible and covered by the clutch job labour.

I do agree that you are likely to pick up troubles if you go to a fly-by night repair shop...that said, no harm in getting a quote from Max...if they are closer to you and more convenient.

[knightjp]

I know that this is an old thread, but I just had to point out that I've been taking my car to Hussain for years and he knows Alfas in & out.
However one down side is bodywork. While he is good at the mechanical stuff, he doesn't have the facility to deal with the bodywork and paint.
My brother took my car to the mall today and when he came back, there was a card to this place (Home - B5 Auto Garage)on the windscreen. Since I live quite close to them, I might give them a look since my car does need bodywork, badly.

Does anyone know a good yet cheap paintshop in dubai? If I don't like the look of the place and the paint booth, I'm not giving my car in.

[DragzKuletJen]

Originally Posted by Dereth

Hi...
I really need some help with my 147....the gear box is broken and i cant find
a cheaper place to repair it....any ideas please,if anyone is interested in buying
it don't hesitate...
contact me 0503963473 or derethagirah@yahoo.com

dont know if we had the same problem.
but i have 147 selespeed also, gearbox and selespeed problem before.
i brought my car in Mussafah, Rafiqs Garage.
Charged me Dh6000..
if you want to try, there is a thread i believe on the forum having contact numbers of Gargash, ahli, and Rafiq.