Alfa 166 Servicing Advice

redman

Wondering about service requirements on Alfa 166 around 60/70k

From what I understand the following is needed:
Cam Belt (initially this was at 72k but Alfa changed this to every 36k)
Tensioner Belts
Idler Pulleys
Spark Plugs
Water Pump
Suspension Bushes
Brakes/oil/filters
Maf - clean/replace

Anything that I am missing from those owners out there?

Thanks

Redman

alias no.9

The 2.0t-spark has balance shafts that should be replaced when doing the cam belt too and it's probably worth replacing the cam variator, even if it's not noisey.

Lex Luthor

redman wrote:

Wondering about service requirements on Alfa 166 around 60/70k

From what I understand the following is needed:
Cam Belt (initially this was at 72k but Alfa changed this to every 36k)
Tensioner Belts
Idler Pulleys
Spark Plugs
Water Pump
Suspension Bushes
Brakes/oil/filters
Maf - clean/replace

Anything that I am missing from those owners out there?

Thanks

Redman

Has anyone put a cost on any of these for you?

If you go with a dealer, parts alone will cost you....and I'm just basing this on my experiences with my 156 that is at 65k miles

Cambelt & all the various bits associated with that probably about €900 (inc. labour)
Spark plugs €320 (thats just for the 4 cylinder)
AFM - probably €250'ish

If you want to try and cut you're costs down considerably, I bought my service bits through an online crowd called shop4parts (www.shop4parts.co.uk)

Saved about €190 on plugs alone. They also have all the brake pads for 30-40% cheaper and I got a AFM from them for €190. Also stock the suspension wishbones and bushes. Only trouble is, they won't ship to Ireland, but if you know someone in the UK to take them in for you and then ship them across, you'll still save a packet.

Do you have someone organised to do the work?

I use Gerry Campbell in TI Autos in Dublin (Alfa Specialist)

meant to add, how's your engine temp gauge reading lately? T'stat failure on the 156 is common failing open...mine due to be changed soon also.

Also, my AFM is only being replaced due to erratic idling I'm experiencing. The throttle body valve has already been cleaned & the ECU reset but it didn't solve the problem, so I'm going to replace the AFM soon.

You could try doing a lot of the work yourself to save costs. The only things above I didn't try was the cambelt job, replacing the rear pads, replacing the front upper wishbone & rear stub axle bushes. All the other stuff was straight forward enough.

redman

Lex

Thanks for all that detail!:)

I am still shopping for my 166 and this is very useful in helping me do the budget, as a number of the 166's for sale haven't got a service history and/or need a lot of this work done.
Thus I am better able to know what to pay for one second hand!

I have heard many positive comments about Gerry Campbell in TI Autos, I just believe it's hard to book him. What sort of timeline does it take you to get your Alfa serviced by him?

Redman

redman

alias no.9 wrote:

The 2.0t-spark has balance shafts that should be replaced when doing the cam belt too and it's probably worth replacing the cam variator, even if it's not noisey.

Thanks for that alias

Lex Luthor

redman wrote:

Lex

Thanks for all that detail!:)

I am still shopping for my 166 and this is very useful in helping me do the budget, as a number of the 166's for sale haven't got a service history and/or need a lot of this work done.
Thus I am better able to know what to pay for one second hand!

I have heard many positive comments about Gerry Campbell in TI Autos, I just believe it's hard to book him. What sort of timeline does it take you to get your Alfa serviced by him?

Redman

Last time I used him it was something like 8 weeks which was over a year ago.

Keep looking for one with a history cos if you get one without, the cambelt is the first thing you'll have to do, regardless of anything else.

I'm guessing that's your post on alfaowner.com about buying a 166 with no service history? (redalf)?

I know a guy who picked up a 2001 reg 2.0litre not so long ago with leather for good money. If you want the name of the garage that sold him the car, PM me. He's very happy with it.

lomb

the price will probably reflect the history of the car. either way u should be able to pick one up for peanuts on the euro.

redman

Thanks again for comments

Lex Luthor wrote:

Keep looking for one with a history cos if you get one without, the cambelt is the first thing you'll have to do, regardless of anything else.

I'm guessing that's your post on alfaowner.com about buying a 166 with no service history? (redalf)?

Well spotted Lex;)

I'm still looking!

redman

Lex

Thanks for the Gerry/TI Autos reference, he is damn good.

Had the car in with him yesterday and he's done a thorough job.

Just need to change my booming exhaust to an original now!

Redman