HELP! Alfa 156 JTS Catalytic Converter

[mmamia]

Hi guys,

So, I've loved and lost 4 Alfas and never any major problems, until now. My latest purchase is a 2003 156 JTS Manual. Sounds good right? Well it did until I had the cam belt done (I knew it would be expensive, that's ok...) but when I took it to a dealer (I've never taken any of my previous, older Alfas to an authorised dealer) I was told that the Engine Management light was a $3880 problem with the Cat Converter. I chose to get a warranty with the car, bought from a dealer – not an Alfa dealer – which is good but I'm afraid they won't pay out. Has anyone had any similar problems? Any niggles with these things anyone can tell me. I don't really want to drop $4k!

Cheers,

Chris

Past owner:

'91 Alfa 33S Permanent 4
'91 Alfa 33 16V
2000 Alfa 156 Selespeed
1994 Alfa 164 Super

Now:

2003 156 JTS

[ProvaRacing]

Can you say whether it is the main Cat or the two pre Cats? I know pre Cats were a bit of a problem on the JTS and not so on the 2.0TS though it can happen.

Also when the pre Cat goes it tends to make a light rattle sound on start up and what I've seen no ECU warning.

Don't get me started on indy dealer warranty false promise schemes.

[MYAR156]

My old 156 operated for 2 years with a faulty catalytic converter; the computer occasionally picked up an error reading from the catalytic converter which caused an annoying light on the dash to be displayed. A computer reset is a temporary fix but the error message keeps coming back. Performance was never affected. With regards to the shudder, this could be the beginning of the end of the clutch which will not last indefinitely

[mmamia]

Thanks guys, good news, despite no change in performance and no other major problems other than the incessant dash light and alarm...it was too much to handle! So I've been lucky in sourcing a 2nd hand cat from a low kay JTS, not without the price tag but close to 1/4 the price of the authorised repairer. Cheers, Chris