[charms1713]

Bought a 2007 Brera 10 days ago. Had to top up the oil a couple of days ago. Today started the engine, ticking over for a few minutes then I got a warning light saying low oil and the engine cut out.
Got out of the car and noticed a pool of oil underneath. Not sure where its come from, so I bought 5L of oil and it took the lot. Car still won't start, now I'm thinking it seized.
A mechanic friend has advised me that it could be the oil filter cap worked loose or damaged in some way.

Can anyone advise if this is a common thing on the brera.

I have since checked the cap and its very loose, just can't understand how it would become loose. Doesn't appear to be damaged in any way, just not on tight.

Will need to speak to the dealership I bought it from but I can see them trying to wriggle out of any costs. only drove 300 miles to boot.

Any advice or similar experiences would be appreciated

 

[symon]

Sounds like your oil cooler or pipes have failed.

The pipes rust through, and because the oil is under pressure it gets sprayed out until there is none left.

EDIT: Sorry, I didn't see the bit about the filter cap coming loose.

 

[JON156VELOCE]

If you've found the oil filter cap loose then its probably leaked from there, did the dealership you bought it from do an oil and filter change before you picked it up.?
Get onto them first thing in the morning and maybe ask them to confirm it had an oil and filter change and then tell them whats happened.
If its their fault then they need to come and sort it out.

 

[OldSmokey159]

Bought a 2007 Brera 10 days ago. Had to top up the oil a couple of days ago. Today started the engine, ticking over for a few minutes then I got a warning light saying low oil and the engine cut out.
Got out of the car and noticed a pool of oil underneath. Not sure where its come from, so I bought 5L of oil and it took the lot. Car still won't start, now I'm thinking it seized.
A mechanic friend has advised me that it could be the oil filter cap worked loose or damaged in some way.

Can anyone advise if this is a common thing on the brera.

I have since checked the cap and its very loose, just can't understand how it would become loose. Doesn't appear to be damaged in any way, just not on tight.

Will need to speak to the dealership I bought it from but I can see them trying to wriggle out of any costs. only drove 300 miles to boot.

Any advice or similar experiences would be appreciated

What a nightmare for you. If you bought the car from a dealer then I would imagine you are protected by consumer rights! Warranty provided?

Is the engine still cranking when you press the start button? I.e the engine is spinning but won't start or does nothing happen I.e the engine won't crank - can't imagine it would seize that quickly. I beleve the 159 which is similar has an ignition safety cut off switch in the fuse panel by the battery.

 

[dc]

Can't see a dealer wriggling out of responsibility for this. Ask for your money back if they can't put it right. Don't know what you paid for it but the Small Claims Court should help if all else fails. Let us know how you get on.

 

[charms1713]

What a nightmare for you. If you bought the car from a dealer then I would imagine you are protected by consumer rights! Warranty provided?

Is the engine still cranking when you press the start button? I.e the engine is spinning but won't start or does nothing happen I.e the engine won't crank - can't imagine it would seize that quickly. I beleve the 159 which is similar has an ignition safety cut off switch in the fuse panel by the battery.

The battery is totally flat now. Tried a jump start from a van turned over and started for a few seconds but won't turn over at all now even with a boost.

 

[OldSmokey159]

The battery is totally flat now. Tried a jump start from a van turned over and started for a few seconds but won't turn over at all now even with a boost.

If it's turning over (or was before the battery went flat) then it likely isn't seized. They are big, voltage hungary engines and a jump start may not be enough. Try charging the battery overnight and try again. Make sure you top the oil up first though just in case it does start.

 

[charms1713]

If it's turning over (or was before the battery went flat) then it likely isn't seized. They are big, voltage hungary engines and a jump start may not be enough. Try charging the battery overnight and try again. Make sure you top the oil up first though just in case it does start.

Tried to push it back and forth in 4th gear but totally solid, that's what make me think its damaged somewhere.

 

[JON156VELOCE]

I would leave it alone untill you've spoken to the dealer you bought it from, the more you do with it the more chance of them blaming you for causing further damage.
Best to just stick with the oil light came on, you checked the oil and it was empty, you've had a quick look and the filter cap is loose etc.

what engine does it have.?

 

[charms1713]

I would leave it alone untill you've spoken to the dealer you bought it from, the more you do with it the more chance of them blaming you for causing further damage.
Best to just stick with the oil light came on, you checked the oil and it was empty, you've had a quick look and the filter cap is loose etc.

what engine does it have.?

It's the 2.4 JTD 210.
Had a warning light come on saying not enough oil to continue running the engine. It cut out then. Was hoping that this was safety mechanism to stop the engine seizing.

 

[JON156VELOCE]

No there is nothing that will cut the engine to stop it seizing . Have you spoken to the place you bought it from yet, is it a main dealer.?

 

[charms1713]

Just about to. Just trying to rule out other issues before I explain what happened. The dealer is an independent over 200 mile away. So more problems.

 

[JON156VELOCE]

Any news on this.?

 

[charms1713]

Any news on this.?

At the garage now for diagnosis and damage assessment.
The mechanic that picked it up on his recovery truck noted that when winching it up it started to leak oil. must have bust pipes somewhere, especially to have a catastrophic loss of oil in such a short time, whilst just ticking over outside my house.

 

[symon]

The oil in parts of the system is under quite a bit of pressure, it will get lost very quickly even from a small leak.

 

[Rewe]

Hope the outcome is as pain free as it can be now.

 

[charms1713]

Engine stripped and the dealerships mechanic has said that a con rod is bent. Dealer has accused me of driving through a flood causing a hydrolock. The car never moved from the front of my house. Started it up, ticking over and it lost a major amount of oil from somewhere. Engine warning light came on saying not enough oil to run the engine. Engine cut out. Replaced about 3.5 litres of oil until dipstick showed correct level. started the car again and ticked over for a few seconds and then went bang, lots of smoke from the exhausts.
I think the major loss of oil caused damage to the engine, then trying to start the car, after putting oil back in, coolant has leaked through the potentially cracked head and caused the hydrolock.
Never went near any floods so can't be caused by water.
I knew they would try and put the blame back on me. I'm sure he just wants me to claim through my insurance.

 

[mapalfa]

Time to start thinking about small claims court. Standard of proof is balance of probability, so you only need to show your version of events is 1% more likely than theirs and you'll win.

Let the dealer know you expect it to be repaired at their cost and, if they refuse, have it collected by another trusted Alfa specialist. Get them to inspect it and if there's no sign of water ingress you'll be laughing in court. Even better would be if the mileage can prove that it's impossible for you to have been anywhere flooded since it was collected.

Check your insurance to see if you've got legal cover, but even if you haven't SCC is really easy and the money claim online website is user friendly. If it does get to court, just make sure you've got as much evidence as possible.

 

[charms1713]

Time to start thinking about small claims court. Standard of proof is balance of probability, so you only need to show your version of events is 1% more likely than theirs and you'll win.

Let the dealer know you expect it to be repaired at their cost and, if they refuse, have it collected by another trusted Alfa specialist. Get them to inspect it and if there's no sign of water ingress you'll be laughing in court. Even better would be if the mileage can prove that it's impossible for you to have been anywhere flooded since it was collected.

Check your insurance to see if you've got legal cover, but even if you haven't SCC is really easy and the money claim online website is user friendly. If it does get to court, just make sure you've got as much evidence as possible.

Cheers, I can see it going that way.
It all started with the oil loss, which they still have not explained yet.

 

[kandlbarrett]

I assume that you have a big puddle or oil stain on your drive or was it burnt? Make sure you get a photo of all oil stains on the drive.

If the engine was hydro locked a good dealer would be taking photos and have them showing the water on top of the pistons.

Don't mention that to them as water may miraculously appear.

Might be worth turning up unannounced asking to see the engine then take pics of the bores and top of cylinders whilst you are there. It's your car they can't stop you doing that. Though if they have found the bent rod it probably means that piston is removed. Try to get pics of the oil filter top and under the engine for signs of oil that is spread under the car drip try etc.