Alfa Pages

[stuart]

Hi

My 33 isn't running correctly having taken it to an Alfa dealer in Kent, UK I was told they were baffled and couldn't solve the problem! Which has left me not knowing what to do. They told me to take it to a Bosche specialist (does anyone know of one in SE England?) as they felt it could be the computer (even though they couldn't read any faults with it).

Basically it doesn't run correctly, sounds awful when idle and drops revs, hesitates under acceleration, , it stalls at junctions and kangeroos up hill. It does seem to be worse at lower revs and I have to accelarate hard or dip the clutch to stop it stalling.

I have had the timing checked, changed the lambda sensor, coolant temp sensor, HT leads, spark plugs the list goes on. Has anyone else got an idea?

[johnboy]

Hi there,

where in kent are you? as i have a spair ECU for a 16v, which you can try and see if it's that.but i don't want to sell it but your welcome to try it.all the best john in margate
_________________
WODA WE NEED? MORE POWER!!

Alfa gt jtdm blackline
1990 S2 16v veloce sleeping!
2002 ts gtv the wifes now
1997 seadoo gsx 800
1999 freestyle superjet

[Marcin]

Hi,

from the simple solution shelf: try to clean the butterfly valve in the throttle body. I had a similar problem with my 8v (hesitating under acceleration from the bottom rev range, etc.). No one knew what it was, until one day I removed the air inlet duct and saw that the edge of the butterfly valve is covered with a thin layer of black sluge. After removal I noticed that the hesitation was gone!

It's a thought, maybe you have already tried it.

Cheers

Marcin

[Hamish Brown]

It could be the air flow meter it causes thoughs types of probs something to think about. If you do change the ecu and it works let us now. Cheers

[Admin]

Hi

Worth trying the above suggestions, but I would expect them to trigger a fault code reading. Which 33 model is it?

Other thing to check (which would not trigger a fault code) would be a dodgy fuel pump / blocked filter resulting in low fuel preasure. Also clogged injectors.

Try getting a temperature sensor for a multimeter (complete meter with sensor is £35 from machine mart I think) and check the temps of each of the exhaust manifold pipes. If one is dramatically cooler than the rest then you can concentrate on that cylinder.

All the best

Keith

[gritsop]

Hi,

Have you tried to replace the spark leads? Many times these leads (both these from the distributor and the one from the coil to the distributor) fail due to age. A quick way is to have the engine running and the same way taking a look at the leads when it is dark outside. If you see a electricity cloud along the lead then you MUST replace it. Again if not replace them; after all the dont cost more than 80€.

About the electroinjectors have you ever cleaned them with the supersonic method?

Cheers
_________________
Thanassis Gritsopoulos
1991 Alfa 33 1.4 IE
2001 Alfa 147 1.6 Distinctive

http://www.alfa-restoration.co.uk
Parts Shop: www.alfa-restoration.co.uk/shop

[stuart]

Thanks for your replies I will test each one out and thanks John for the offer of trying your ECU, might take you up on that-not sure if the car will make it to Margate though, it’s that bad. I am going away on hols for 2 weeks so I will let you know how I get on when I get back. BTW it is a 93 1.7 16v and I live near Tunbridge Wells

[johnboy]

[dave]

hi
i know of an italian guy who is really good with all italian cars
his company is mdz italtec
charlwood surrey at end of runway gatwick
01293 863853
he has just serviced and repaired my wifes cinq sporting abarth it went back to dealer three times for same problem and they said nothing found or wrong he is really good srongly recomend to give him a call
good luck
dave
ser 2 sportwagon
ser3 16v boxer

[stuart]

It’s all fixed!! I cannot believe it! Annoyingly it was something really simple, which I was told by one garage this was investigated and no problem was found! Hence I never looked at it again. What a mistake. I took it to a Bosche specialist in Tunbridge Wells who went through pretty much everything for me and no faults were found with the ECU. Apparently it was the spark leads between the distributor and coil and the distributor cap was wrong. How frustrating I wish I had gone back and looked at these instead of taking the garage’s word they were ok.

Cheers to you all for your help. I work at Gatwick so next time I might call mdz italtec – cheers Dave.