Suspected Alfa Romeo Twin Spark Head Gasket Problem? Watch this first
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- Опубліковано 7 гру 2018
- Suspected Alfa Romeo Twin Spark Head Gasket Problem? Watch this first. The Alfa Twin Spark engines (that comprise of a Cast Iron Block and Aluminium Alloy Cylinder Head) are not generally prone to Head Gasket failure so you should check for other problems first
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Thank you for this great video with no bad prejudicd about alfa romeo and its engines, but instead you are man full of knowledge about cars and alfa romeo, thank you so much!
Thank you for your message; I hope you found it helpful.
@@ratman9802 yes it did! I know its of topic of this video but do you know to tell me where is pcv valve placed on the alfa 147 1.6ts? I am strugling to find it to repalce it
@@urosdjordjevic6060 I'm not sure it has a PCV valve (Positive Crankcase Ventilation). What is the problem with the engine?
Thanks for this. Sorted the problem right out.
Excellent. Glad it was of some help. Cheers
I usually never comment on videos, but you my friend just saved me a lot of pain and money. Thank you!
Last month I bought a used 2006 alfa 147 1.6 TS for little(ish) money and after driving on a mountain road uphill for a while I noticed the coolant tank leaking from the cap like a fountain. It also looked like the water was not flowing and returning to the tank.
I got the car towed and the mechanic told me it will probably need a new water pump and even gasket replaced (over 1000 euros repair). A second mechanic gave me almost the same diagnostic. I can't afford that big repair at this time and searching for more info on google I came across this video just by luck, so I gave it a try.
147 is a bit different and the hose connecting the coolant tank to the thermostat is longer and more hidden, so it would be harder to remove. I just disconnected the tank end and inserted a BIG syringe full of clean water and pushed it. I also pulled and pushed a few times to make sure the liquid was flowing by pumping it with the syringe.
Instantly after starting the engine I saw the water returning from the hose to the top of the coolant tank! I drove for a good hour in the city under the Spanish hot sun and the coolant level was still stable under the max, so no more leaks! Also the engine temp was stable at 90C
So again, thank you so much for this video! If you are ever traveling around Spain, beers are on me :D
Hi, thank you for your comment. I'm really pleased you found this helpful and that it saved you lots of money. These are really good engines and they don't usually have head gasket problems. They don't tolerate neglect though and they do use a bit of oil so ensure its kept topped up. it is possible that the coolant could do with changing, it's important because keeping the coolant fresh inhibits corrosion inside the engine and is the probable cause of this problem.
Apart from that, change the oil and filter regularly and change the cambelt (plus tensioner and waterpump driven by the cambelt) before it fails and you'll be laughing! Cambelt change can be a bit pricey and requires some special tools so go to someone who knows the cars. 147s are great cars, I've had one but it was a diesel (still quick) and of course being in Spain yours won't rust like here in the UK. I'd love a beer but it's thanks enough to know this helped. Cheers, Chris.
I was suspecting a dead water pump on my 156 1.8 TS, but I was also supicious it might be a simple obstruction on the return pipe, when searching for videos about this I came across your video and checked this on mine...bingo! Problem solved, BIG thanks mate!
Great! Glad it was helpful, I suspect it is a common problem. Good job it wasn't your water pump, that might have taken the cambelt out.
@@ratman9802 Yes I can confim this, after checking with my local Alfa specialist he tells me it's a very common issue, I will in fact share this info on our Alfa Facebook page in order to help other TS engine equiped "bellas". Cheers from Portugal mate ;)
@@pdidi1 If you link my video on the Alfa FB page it will spread the word. Is the FB page Portugal based? Share a link and I'll have a look. Portugal sounds inviting from UK perspective this time of year! I like your planes BTW. Cheers
@@ratman9802 will do 😉
Yep this is a private PT based FB group for Alfas 156.
Portugal is still a paradise, wonderful weather, food, scenery and people 👌👍
Thanks about my RC planes hehehe 😁
Thank you for posting.
You're welcome
Hmm. Cheers for this pointer.. will check mine out in the morrow as my gtv ts yr 2000 seems to run out of water as well over time.
Always best to check the simple things first. I later found it had a jammed open Thermostat so two seperate issues but it was the blockage that caused the problem. Good luck
Hey, good to see you post up again. It sounds like your spider wasn't available in the US, so I can't get a good idea of what the car looks like. I see twin spark heads mentioned on the Alfa forums that I visit, TS seems to be a holy grail for a race engine in an older 115 body and others. Are you still working on the boxer engine, or is it together?
This Spider is a 916 series introduced in the mid 90's, in the UK they came with 2.0 litre twin spark (which is possibly not the one you are referring to) and later also with a 24 valve V6 3.0 litre. This version of the engine produces 155 bhp but I've been told that was a conservative rating. I actually have a 916 series GTV 3.0 V6 (coupe) that I have had for years and in storage! I still have the Boxer engine for the Sprint but I'm trying to finish of all the body shell repairs on that; (nearly finished) then will complete the engine. Needs Carbs rebuilding, clutch etc.
Amazing thank you very much!,,
Glad you found it helpful
We got a 2003 147 with a 2.0 Twin Spark engine with 69k miles which we've owned since new.
Its last service was earlier this year, couple months later had a new thermostat housing fitted. Car never had issues with overheating. Oil was fine as it had just been renewed during service.
Suddenly 200 miles after thermostat housing was replaced, I noticed the coolant temperature would creep over 100 degrees even with fans on (normal operating temp should be around 90). I pulled over, switched engine off but put ignition back on to keep fans running and noticed it had lost coolant. After refilling with water I had with me, I did another 10 miles to get home and coolant temp was reaching over 120 and even dash warning light came on just as I arrived. I suspected the worse so checked oil, and water had indeed mixed with the oil in the engine. Too much of a coincidence this happened shortly after thermo housing replacement. I believe they had not bled it properly when housing was replaced
You may have a head gasket failure which could be coincidental. After fitting a new thermostat and refilling the system with coolant, it will tend to expel the air of its own accord but obviously the system needs to be topped up as a result. If allowed to overheat it can cause problems as you describe. Without actually seeing the car it is difficult to diagnose with absolute certainty. If the head gasket has failed as a result of overheating, the head will need to be removed and checked for flatness or other surface damage and if necessary machined (skimmed) to restore it prior to installing a new gasket.
You have my sympathy; if the car were mine and its condition warrantied it I would fix it but I would do it myself. If a garage were doing the work the cost may be prohibitive - most of the expense would be the labour. Check out Italia Autos channel on UA-cam.
@@ratman9802 Thanks for your solid advice. I'm letting the garage deal with it. Car has never had repairs on cooling system other than thermo housing 200 miles ago. And thermo housing leak was brought to their attention right away as I check engine bay every week and don't actually cover that many miles - only 69k in 17 years is nothing. It's had coolant renewals as and when Alfa Romeo recommend. At 69k miles for the head gasket to go within a 200 mile period the housing was replaced, could be just a coicidence but seems suspect to me
@@youjustreadthis897 A one owner from new, low mileage car sounds worth the investment. Good luck.
👍👍👍
ok thanks for i formation
You are welcme, I hope it helped.
Hi. I’m thinking about buying a 2004 model is the twin Sparke 16 valve 1.8 is it a good engine and thanks a lot for the video very informative. All the very best from down under
Hi, thanks for your comment. The 1.8 is slightly different to the 2.0 in that it does not have a balancer shaft (unless they canged it on later engines) so slightly less complex on the belts. Alfa engines are generally good but at 20 years old buy one that has been well maintained. Watch out for a rattle on start up indicating worn timing Variator which is becoming expensive to fix. Good luck
@@ratman9802 thanks for the information this one’s got 130,000 km on it but the timing belt and the water pump has been done and it’s got a full service history from brand-new okay thank you again
Best from down under
Cheers Danny
Pls keep working on the sprint!
Been doing a bit to the Sprint in a few free evenings recently, I'll post an update on the near future. Cheers.
What about the Sprint?
Ah Ha! thanks for your interest. I still have the Sprint and I have done some work on it since the last video but progress is slow as I have house to do up and that is taking most of my time. Priorities. There is more done than not done with the Sprint and I hope to get on it but the house is the priority and it needs everything doing. This Spider was cheap and just needs a tidy and a few bits doing; I might just sell it on or keep it for the summer. Cheers
@@ratman9802 Oh OK, that's understandable. Was actually wondering where you're based or were from, judging by your accent, but couldn't work it out. I'm North London and the M11 corridor and if you need help; I've restored a Sprint and worked on houses too! Always looking for new projects, am a nice chap and can do a bit.
@@TomTremayne That's kind of you Tom, I'm OK for the moment but I will keep you mind. Quite a way from you though I'm in deepest Berkshire.
Head gasket....? On an Alfa? Has to be fake news.
Yace, wash my mouth out with soap!
@@ratman9802 Thanks Ratman....whatever else those other owners say about our cars, our heads & head gaskets are their envy. Of course, they don't know that, but we do - we've worked on Fords, on Saabs and even, sorry to say it, on Fiats but Alfa heads, blocks & head gaskets are things of beauty, never will they fail us!
@@TomTremayne Indeedy; I'm not sure about the "proper" Alfa Twin Cam with alloy block an steel liners though. I have one in a 105 Spider that's waiting for me to get round to it, so we'll see. What is a Saab?
Idiot....