Well i have had my 156 for a week and i think its already dead. Noticed the car was lacking in power after 4k revs, so i done some reading up on here and tried disconnecting the MAF. All seemed great after i did this and the car reved well and really flew! BUT...... After a quick thrash the car suddenly died and i couldn't restart it, the battery was pretty much dead. I managed to get a jump start but the car sounded awfull, really rattling.
My first thoughts are big end bearings which after searching on here seems like it may be that. The engine will run and the rattle isn't there all the time and sometimes disapears completely. I drove the car the small distance into the garage and the rattle disapeared under load, which made me think twice about it being the big end bearings?
Another thread i found on here mentioned it might be a dead alternator with a knackered bearing, which may make sense as the battery was tottaly dead?
Im just chucking this out out there to you guys to see if you have any idea what it could be? I'm thinking my first Alfa ownership may be coming to a quick end, real shame as the car just passed the MOT.
if the battery has discharged & is now 'flat' then i'd suspect the alternator may not be charging. Do you have a mulitmeter to read the voltage? should be approx 14 volts when charging at idle. Perhaps the sound is related to the alternator been fautly?
Quick update, took the sump off the car today and the big end bearings are gone. So engine is coming out, crank regrind and new shells. Maybe new piston rings and new cambelt kit going on. So might not be the end of the old girl yet!
Orginal Engine just coming up to 120K, I think the original owner had not taken to much care of this engine. When i got the car it was very low on oil, i topped it up but after a spirited drive the bottom end gave up. Hopefully ill have the engine out tomorow and the crank out ready for a regrind. I wonder if i can get the car back up and running before xmas?!
Update! Well the engine is out and the crank has been reground just waiting for the engine place to get the shells in then i should be able to start the rebuild. I did take some pics so i shall have to get them up soon
Good progress. I'm sure you don't need to be told, but do replace the timing belt and tensioners during the rebuild, and use the correct camlocks to time it up. It's essential and will be well worth it!
rgwn, yeah i have got a new cambelt kit and also i have just ordered the correct camlocks so hopefully next week i can get this all back together and in the car!
No mine is from.Norfolk. was very cheap at 200 quid from a friend who had't had it long. i think the previous owner hadn't't kept an eye on oil levels, and it was close to.the.edge before I.got it!:thumbs:
Well, quick update put the crank back in today, but one of the big ends went tight when put onto the shaft. Turns out that the connecting rod got so hot it has actually changed shape! So that rod is now getting sorted (hopefully) tomorow. Did mean the head had to come off though so new head gasket going on there aswell. But i must say that the bores of the engine looking in amazing condition, makes me think it may of had a rebore at some point in its life?
Anyway fingers crossed everything goes to plan after today. I don't think my wallet can handle any more problems especially at this time of year!
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