[Smyth159]

Hi there

I've been reading the forums in recent months looking for help and tips for our 159...

We've been having issues with intermittent power limiting of engine and insufficient engine oil pressure warnings for some months...On servicing with our local garage a few months ago, we were told they couldn't see anything wrong and so we pressed the issue further for them to then say there may be an issue with the EGR valve, so we had that cleaned out and had the oil pressure switch replaced a few weeks ago.

Unfortunately the warnings continued to show and we were advised to get diagnostics run and so went to the Alfa garage on Monday to be told no errors were showing up but on inspection there was a considerable oil leak around the turbo. The next day the car lost power and made some dreadful noise under the bonnet and had to be towed to the garage.

Reports today are of major engine failure, probably from bearings after an oil blockage of some sort. A new engine is not a cost effective option and we're having to look at scrappage as unable to drive the car now. A sad day :-(

Just wondering what's the best way people think of doing this...Is anyone interested?! (Based Wirral, Merseyside)
Thanks for any thoughts...

 

[Larry92]

Hi there

I've been reading the forums in recent months looking for help and tips for our 159...

We've been having issues with intermittent power limiting of engine and insufficient engine oil pressure warnings for some months...On servicing with our local garage a few months ago, we were told they couldn't see anything wrong and so we pressed the issue further for them to then say there may be an issue with the EGR valve, so we had that cleaned out and had the oil pressure switch replaced a few weeks ago.

Unfortunately the warnings continued to show and we were advised to get diagnostics run and so went to the Alfa garage on Monday to be told no errors were showing up but on inspection there was a considerable oil leak around the turbo. The next day the car lost power and made some dreadful noise under the bonnet and had to be towed to the garage.

Reports today are of major engine failure, probably from bearings after an oil blockage of some sort. A new engine is not a cost effective option and we're having to look at scrappage as unable to drive the car now. A sad day :-(

Just wondering what's the best way people think of doing this...Is anyone interested?! (Based Wirral, Merseyside)
Thanks for any thoughts...

Major oil leek from around the turbo may just be a stuffed turbo (and the major leak causing the low oil pressure?) you can get a reconditioned one fitted for probably £1k maybe?

Also, if you are Merseyside give Gus at Alfatune a ring and have a chat, he's near St. Helens - he may have an idea or two before you write it off

 

[giblets46]

They may just have seen the oil that coats everyone's turbo hose, what actually failed on the engine?

 

[Smyth159]

Well we can't be sure of the real cause just now as would need to have the engine stripped to find out and that's such a major job in itself. The recovery guy and the garage mechanic tried to turn the engine over for a matter of seconds and then turned off ignition saying NO WAY! We also saw the health check video from Alfa and looks like oil has been pouring from the turbo and they did say it was bad so looks like more than build up.

As much as we love the car and have had lots of work done on it in the past few years, we know the front central support is corroded and split, the drivers CV joint cover is now split, we need all new tyres due to all the wear from negative camber, not to mention the engine/turbo trouble...my husband wants rid...we had wanted to part-ex but no chance now! :-(

 

[Smyth159]

Major oil leek from around the turbo may just be a stuffed turbo (and the major leak causing the low oil pressure?) you can get a reconditioned one fitted for probably £1k maybe?

Also, if you are Merseyside give Gus at Alfatune a ring and have a chat, he's near St. Helens - he may have an idea or two before you write it off

Thanks Larry92...will give the guy a ring as have nothing to lose just now though doubtful we'd spend that kind of cash now in light of all the problems :-(

 

[Larry92]

Thanks Larry92...will give the guy a ring as have nothing to lose just now though doubtful we'd spend that kind of cash now in light of all the problems :-(

Yeh reading the detail above it does sound pretty catastrophic and certainly a shame...not even turning over is hardly encounraging :/

but yes, Gus isn't far from you at all and is very very well respected so definitely worth a call before biting the bullet

as a further point - Autolusso (another well respected Alfa indie) who are based in bedfordshire say on their website they buy old/scrap alfas. They have a big breaking yard outfit along with their garage and tuning outfit so they might be worth a call if you are going to scrap.

 

[Smyth159]

Yeh reading the detail above it does sound pretty catastrophic and certainly a shame...not even turning over is hardly encounraging :/

but yes, Gus isn't far from you at all and is very very well respected so definitely worth a call before biting the bullet

as a further point - Autolusso (another well respected Alfa indie) who are based in bedfordshire say on their website they buy old/scrap alfas. They have a big breaking yard outfit along with their garage and tuning outfit so they might be worth a call if you are going to scrap.

Oh ok thanks I might look them up too...are a big distance away so don't know how far they travel for these things but worth asking. I called a place in the northwest today and they offered £400...not sure how that'll fair against other options yet

 

[Larry92]

Oh ok thanks I might look them up too...are a big distance away so don't know how far they travel for these things but worth asking. I called a place in the northwest today and they offered £400...not sure how that'll fair against other options yet

yes they are a bit of a trek away, but again worth a phone call - they do have a branch or something in Penrith (hardly any closer!!) but as I say, a phone call can't hurt.

I'm in the same boat being in Manchester in that they are a fair trek so parts I get need to be shipped....I'd much rather just pop round on a saturday morning like a good little alfa fettler

£400 seems a little low...if you have the time/inclination you could sell off the bits that still work for more than that!!

 

[Smyth159]

If only we had a specialist just round the corner hey! I wish there was someone local who was passionate enough (or mad!?) to take it and work on it and we could still take it for a spin on the weekends...will miss driving it...am sick of my mummy-mobile!

I did think £400 seemed low but from my husband's chats with a car dealer and online quotes it looks pretty decent. A handful of magic beans for a beautiful but dead car :-(

 

[Smyth159]

We're not really set up to break it ourselves in terms of time, facilities or expertise really. I know there are so many parts that can get damaged during breaking and so you end up with less than you expected after a lot of work!

 

[Larry92]

If only we had a specialist just round the corner hey! I wish there was someone local who was passionate enough (or mad!?) to take it and work on it and we could still take it for a spin on the weekends...will miss driving it...am sick of my mummy-mobile!

I did think £400 seemed low but from my husband's chats with a car dealer and online quotes it looks pretty decent. A handful of magic beans for a beautiful but dead car :-(

We're not really set up to break it ourselves in terms of time, facilities or expertise really. I know there are so many parts that can get damaged during breaking and so you end up with less than you expected after a lot of work!

yeh it is a pity indeed....paint it and sell it to the tate ? or somewhere else haha.


definitely worth a couple of calls. Also, as we know, Alfa owners must possess a bit of a mad streak so you might be able to find a buyer on here somewhere if you place an ad in the right section?

 

[Smyth159]

yeh it is a pity indeed....paint it and sell it to the tate ? or somewhere else haha.


definitely worth a couple of calls. Also, as we know, Alfa owners must possess a bit of a mad streak so you might be able to find a buyer on here somewhere if you place an ad in the right section?

Ooh now there's a thought...put my artistic talents to some use...Tate Liverpool here we come! Haha
Will get on the phone to variety of places tmrw n see what comes of it...might also try and check interest further on here before it gets scrapped...here's hoping!?
Thanks for your input. All the best with your Alfa...

 

[Larry92]

Ooh now there's a thought...put my artistic talents to some use...Tate Liverpool here we come! Haha
Will get on the phone to variety of places tmrw n see what comes of it...might also try and check interest further on here before it gets scrapped...here's hoping!?
Thanks for your input. All the best with your Alfa...

haha yes thanks - it's a slippery slope....emptying the bank account I mean haha. Good luck to you too

 

[charliealfamike]

Major oil leek from around the turbo may just be a stuffed turbo (and the major leak causing the low oil pressure?) you can get a reconditioned one fitted for probably £1k maybe?

I had a brand new turbo fitted for not much more than that!