Hi,
I'm new to Alfa Romeos and I have recently found a second hand 156 JTS 2005 through carsales and have fallen in love with the look, but being new to the Make I have no idea what to look for when purchasing one second hand. It has done 157,000Kms has a few dents some directly on the bonnet and one on the passenger side of the doors. More importantly when pushing the cars acceleration in will feel like it drops to 3cylinders and flashes Motor System Control Failure (I have read its probably a Ignition coil) and when accelerating around a corner we heard a large Clunk from the engine compartment which quickly ceased and we couldn't replicate, any ideas?
On another note I would like to know how easily I can get parts for it to do any repairs. Can I simply buy them at Repco? or do I need to get them from a specialist? ARE CHEAP PARTS AVAILIABLE!?
Any info will help, thanks
Ed
Welcome ED to Alfa Romeo ownership, it can be a rocky road for the novice, but its worth it in the end.
The juddering of which you talk about is most likely a coil on plug pack, they last x number of years and kilometres and then give up the ghost.
Take it to an Alfa Romeo Independant Service Provider and get it scanned, with the Alfa Romeo scanner to find out what is really wrong with it as opposed to guess work.
The JTS coils usually die and don't come back to life, so don't drive it with a dead coil, as the fuel from that cylinder will end up in the Catalytic Convertor and catch fire and destroy the Cats, and these new cost many thousands.
The clunk coming from the engine bay is most likely a engine/gearbox mount, take it to an Alfa place and they have most likely seen it before.
The only thing i buy from Repco is oil and oil filters, most of the other things i use Italian Automotive Spares in Brunswick in Victoria or the Alfa wreckers in Melbourne, Monza Motors in Bayswater and Milano Spares in Thomastown, Colin.
Dropping a cylinder and engine light flashing under load would be more likely an injector problem rather than a coil pack from past experience. Much more expensive than coil packs to replace due to labour.
My suggestion is have a pre-purchase inspection carried out by a specialist before you buy the car.
You can get some parts from Repco/Bursons, and some you will need to source from other companies/suppliers.
As far as cost goes with parts, you get what you pay for. If you want to buy cheap shit, buy it, but don't expect it to last very long or work properly.
Mick.
It's quicker and easier to buy original or original manufacturer parts in from the UK. Lots of websites available for this, delivery for smaller items is usually three business days.
As above you can buy some normal consumables parts from bursons or supercheap, just get them to look it up.
Clunking could be anything; loose battery, engine mounts(4), any of the front suspension components which you should consider consumables.
These are not cheap cars to maintain and as such most cheap versions need a lot of maintenance to bring them back up to spec. They are great cars to drive and very, very reliable when treated and services respectfully. Mine has over 200Ks on it and I would drive it absolutley anywhere tomorrow without fear of breakdown.
I agree, there are two things that don't go together, the word cheap and an Alfa Romeo. Try to do it on the cheap and you are setting yourself up for miserable ownership experience. Then everybody who knows nothing about Alfas anyway will say "I told you they were unreliable". Spend the money and your car will reward you in spades. They really are great cars when maintained properly. :)