[JabawokJayUK]

Its only my 4th day of alfa ownership so I am looking for some advice...

When I start her up from cold in the mornings, she is a bit stuttery / spluttery / rough for the first mile or so if the revs are low (sub 2K), She's fine when you put your foot down and after about 5 mins no more symptoms.

Is this a feature or a bug?

(I read around a bit on this and believe it could be EGR related) The car has 60K on the clock and is an 08 TI model if that has any bearing.

 

[pinballer]

I have a 3.2 yet it has identical characteristics ! My car hasn't had any major problems, just the odd Alfa idiosyncrasies like this. The problem goes away within half a mile, or 3k+ revs. Because we're talking same problem on a Diesel vs petrol, I am curious as to whether this is related to the throttle pot - anyone else get this problem ?

 

[Bones146Ti]

Has the car got full dealer history, as there was a cold start up date carried out by my local deal on my last 159 2.4 ti manual. They just did it when in for 21k service?

If not call your local dealer see if there is any updates due?

Best of luck.

 

[cj romeo]

On the Jtd's - not normal

 

[fredvr]

Check the clip on the pipe on the inlet side of the turbo. If it is oily and the pipe moves, look no further, change the clip by a jubilee on adjustable and finish the misdfires.
Have a go the dia of the clip is ~75mm worth 50P.

 

[cornclose]

Just posted another topic about my 2.0JTDm with what sounds like an identical issue!

 

[159_kid]

without sounding a complete ar5e... who can tell me where the turbo and inlet pipe are on a 1.9 diesel

 

[fredvr]

On the lefthand side of the engine on the front you should see a big black pipe (plastic) 80mm in diameter, follow it down on the right and you find the turbo, try to move it, if yes, then change the clip.

 

[159_kid]

On the lefthand side of the engine on the front you should see a big black pipe (plastic) 80mm in diameter, follow it down on the right and you find the turbo, try to move it, if yes, then change the clip.

:thumbs:

 

[JabawokJayUK]

@ Fredvr - I have taken a look and there is definitely some black stuff (oily/sooty) build-up around the clip itself, and more importantly, on the front of the turbo only. Its not round either side or the back of the inlet pipe, only on the front face. (see images) Does this look / sound like the issue you believe it to be?

 

[JabawokJayUK]

forgot to mention. movement on the pipe was minimal, a few mill each way, and no movement visible around the clip area itself.

 

[fredvr]

Yes it is there, but if the pipe does not move much, it is not your problem, on mine I could almost remove it.

Put a new clip anyway, it will keep your turbo clean at least, but I doubt whether it will cure your misfires.

The inlet is round or should be, but right on the turbo it is not. (if it's clear?!?)

Put a new clip and see. cost < 1£.

 

[JabawokJayUK]

Yes it is there, but if the pipe does not move much, it is not your problem, on mine I could almost remove it.

Put a new clip anyway, it will keep your turbo clean at least, but I doubt whether it will cure your misfires.

The inlet is round or should be, but right on the turbo it is not. (if it's clear?!?)

Put a new clip and see. cost < 1£.

Thanks Fred, I think its definitely worth a shot and I can always put the original one back on if it makes no difference. N00b question..... Is there a specific technique to removing the existing clip, it seems to have a strange looking locking mechanism?

 

[fredvr]

With a little flat screwdriver, you put it in the larger hole on the right then turn the screw driver, it will unclip, much harder to put back on.

 

[MBadger]

Well depends how rough it is. The diesels when cold are a bit clumpy, the gearbox bit stiff etc but during summer are better behaved. I think you do have a minor issue but could be a host of things. I found the dpf removal also helped with hesitations from junctions etc but that's another matter.

When was it last serviced ? Does the egr just need a clean ? Worth a fuel cleaner ?

Our more mechanically minded will have some good ideas since the turbo pipe looks ok .

 

[fredvr]

A damaged or dirty EGR would give the problem constantly.
If the pipe is OK, then a dose of good fuel cleaner, is the smell not very nice at the back when you start ?
A weakening Glow plug may be.

 

[JabawokJayUK]

After giving it some thought the problem only started after the latest tank of diesel. I filled up with shell optimax diesel, and it has only used a quarter of a tank so far. I think i will pick up some fuel cleaner in the morning as this is the easiest first step, any recommendations?

 

[fredvr]

Hi, the one I use is only available in France it is a Dutch product I believe called Tecflow speed cleaner, I cured main cold start problems with it (when it was due to bad atomization).
I don't know which product you have available in the UK, I left too loo ago. Other members will be better advice on this, but as preventive treatment I use "Liquid Engineering Fuel set one" just "Google it" I get it from the UK, and use a dose per tank, (1L:4000L) I slighlty overdose it. But in 200 000Km with my Lancia Lybra 2.4 not a peep out of the EGR. Only 30 000 on the Alfa 159 ti 2.4, might be too early to tell.
Any way to put cleaner in, wait until your tank has gone done more then put it in then put more a little more fuel in it to mix well.
If it only happened after this load of fuel then a Cetane booster should do the trick ie. WYNNS. Or Kerosene if you have some. (just can, but just joking).

 

[JabawokJayUK]

Ok, so I picked up some "Millers Diesel Power Sport 4" from Halfords as it had the best reviews and was the most accessible to me. Car seems more responsive and less hesitant straight away, but time will tell. I will see how she starts in the morning from cold as that's the real test!

 

[fredvr]

Ok, so I picked up some "Millers Diesel Power Sport 4" from Halfords as it had the best reviews and was the most accessible to me. Car seems more responsive and less hesitant straight away, but time will tell. I will see how she starts in the morning from cold as that's the real test!

HI, OK, as I said a Cetane booster, if the fuel you put was slightly off, it will help and the car will seem more responsive, as if you put high Octane fuel in a petrol car it will fly!!!
But I doubt whether it will clean the injectors. If your problem came with the fuel load you last took, this will sort it out and next tank should be OK.
Hope it works.
In my opinion get some Fuel set one and put a dash of it every tank, it is not expensive and it works.
I use it, my kids use it and my girlfriend uses it. 1x 159 2.4 Ti, 2x Punto's 1.9 reprog'd, 1x Punto 1.3Jtd not reprog'd my daughter drives fast enough.....:lol: Wonder's who she gets it from?