159 2.4D stall on cold start

[As the day goes]

Over the past week on start up from cold sometimes the engine kicks over a once then stalls.  If I give it a bit of revs she is starts up okay but has a  very small amount of roughness in the idle  speed of 750 rpm.

No problems with start ups and the idle is smooth once the engine is a warm.  But leave the car out in the cold mountain air for 3 hours and the same occasional stall pattern occurs.

Probably battery related?

The battery is a 700 ampere Lion Rocket.  Going on from what the previous owner said the battery is now 2 years old, but of course could be a lot older. 

[Mick A]

It will most likely be glow-plug related.

You can measure the resistance of the plugs to work out which one is faulty or on the way out, as it's impedance will be different to the rest.

Cheers.

Mick.

[Craig_m67]

Advice sounds good to my mind

They're not that expensive or difficult to replace, ie. Informed decisions are the easiest.

https://www.shop4parts.co.uk/?name=store&op=Results&category=22&secondary=44&opts=197&term=Alfa%255FRomeo%255F159%255F2%252E4%255FJTDM%255FSpark%255F%2526%255FGlow%255FPlugs&cat=Spark_&_Glow_Plugs

[pasey25]

If it is, bugger.  All 5 replaced with then last 4 months.

warranty?

[Potsie]

Vince,

My car does exactly the same thing that you are describing. Last time I was at the shop where Mick (Choderboy) works, he instantly diagnosed my problem as a glow plug on the way out, just from the sound the car made on startup.

Found (on Ebay) a couple of cheaper options -
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/5X-ALFA-ROMEO-156-159-BRERA-SPIDER-2-4-JTDM-DIESEL-HEATER-GLOW-PLUGS-GP0706/321276095626?_trksid=p2052191.m2338
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/5X-ALFA-ROMEO-156-159-BRERA-SPIDER-2-4-JTDM-DIESEL-HEATER-GLOW-PLUGS-GP0706-/161076910652?hash=item2580ee9a3c
..which work out at about AU$15 per glow plug delivered.

If you're consuming them often .. would the non-alfa part make much difference ?

[colcol]

I heard at one of the Alfa Workshop visits, that you should wait until the glow plug light goes off, before cranking the car over, as this can wear them out, Colin.

[Craig_m67]

Advice sounds good to my mind

They're not that expensive or difficult to replace, ie. Informed decisions are the easiest.

https://www.shop4parts.co.uk/?name=store&op=Results&category=22&secondary=44&opts=197&term=Alfa%255FRomeo%255F159%255F2%252E4%255FJTDM%255FSpark%255F%2526%255FGlow%255FPlugs&cat=Spark_&_Glow_Plugs

I have been reading that there are different length ones for the different heads and power outputs.  Having a June 2008 build with the revised interior/engine start system (only need to press the starter once) and supposedly the 200hp rather than the 210hp engine I would be getting the pre 2008 plugs?

There are definitely two different types. Whack your VIN into ePer to find out the right OEM part number. Then you can safely buy any brand from anywhere.

I'd have expected a 12-24 mth warranty on parts as standard, especially if you had a mechanic fit/purchase them. That's just standard Australian consumer law.

I've never had a glow plug issue with my 1.9JTD and I never wait for the light to go out before starting (probably should).