[james.mullan]

Morning All,

Alfa Romeo 156 1.8TS Owner

Im hoping someone can help - i bought my very first Alfa Romeo 1 month ago and whilst i knew there would be problems, i didnt know how soon and what!

Anyway, i currently have two issues which im hoping someone may be able to shed some light on:

1. Everytime i go round a corner (slightly faster than usual) or break hard i get a warning show up on my dash stating Low Oil Pressure. Its only on for two seconds and then dissapears. Am i already doomed with this - do i need a new engine?

2. The first two gears/0-40mph/3000rpm is very slow. I can put my foot down and it takes a while to get going - once it does and i get past the 40mph mark, the power seems to kick in as though nothin has happened. Is this a simple fix? I have tried the ECU reset and the throttle reset of which neither works.


The car has 91000 miles on clock and has had a recent cambelt change - im hoping i can get some help!! thanks all for your time

James

 

[Joss]

First simple question is......
Is there any oil in the car? Second problem points to a failed MAF sensor (Very common). Does it hunt as well sometimes?

 

[fg53ume]

top your oil up now!!!! when you go around a corner or brake there isnt enough oil in the sump to be picked up by the oil pump!!!

 

[james.mullan]

Joss,

Thanks for your help - i will look into the MAF snesor - would a warning not appear saying MAF sensor has failed? Also what do you mean by hunt? The car idles fine but when you start to move (although only very light) it does jerk a little - only a little though

FG53ume - oil seems fine although i did have to top up when i bought it.

Is a MAF sensor expensive and easy to replace or is it a garage jobby

 

[Joss]

Not always mate. You can get them from a breaker like autolusso for cheap money. New and genuine ones are a little pricey. Shop4parts are cheap mind. Hunting means the revs bounce. You also say it's jerky on low throttle so the maf would be my first port of call. The ts engine uses oil as standard 1 liter per 1000 miles is normal and written in alfa handbooks as acceptable. Less mileage is frequently seen so check it as these engines really don't like being run low on oil(it's not a golf :lol If it is still fine and you still get the warning you should look at geting the sensor changed as this can cause this warning. After that you are looking at oil pumps etc and thats when it gets expensive

shop4parts

 

[fg53ume]

FG53ume - oil seems fine although i did have to top up when i bought it.



visually check on the dip stick to make sure

 

[james.mullan]

thank you both - you have been very helpful - checked oil stick and theres hardly anything there - normally im quite good at checking these things but new car and thought it would be fine - my fault!! oops!

the MAF sensor looks like the best bet. Found one on ebaty new for £30 although im waiting for Alfa to ring back with cost. Rev's not bouncing at all - just the hesitant start thats causing problems. Its been like this fromk day 1 when i bought so im hoping im going to start feeling the true alfa power once changed - if this is the problem anyway.

 

[Joss]

The shop for parts one would be better than an ebay mate. Use the link I left in the other post. At least you have found the oil problem. The problem now is that it has got that low which isn't a good sign. I would suggest getting oil before driving it again. Check it weekly and see how much it is using. Going below the min on this car is a real no no as if you do a search you'll see lots of threads about low oil and knackered big end bearings meaning rebuild time. Luckly you have the 1.8. This is the strongest and best of all the ts engines so you might be lucky. Keeping it on the max is ideal with this engine:thumbs:

Rev bouncing is usually when they get really knackered. hesitation means its on the way out.

 

[james.mullan]

Joss, thanks very much - will get oil now!!

 

[Joss]

Joss, thanks very much

No dramas!