Rattling tappet on 156

Barr · 31-10-2008 3:20pm #1

Would anyone hazzard a guess how much to fix a ratting tappet on an alfa 156 would cost ?. Its only the one that appears to be ratting

mickdw · 31-10-2008 3:29pm

It might well be your variator. common problem up to about 2001 i think. This makes the cars sound like a diesel on startup, and gets worse & worse but no harm really. If it is the variator, it not worth doing until you are doing the timing belt as much of the same work involved im told.

This is of course presuming you dont have the diesel version.

Barr · 31-10-2008 3:49pm

Its the 1.8 petrol .When i put my ear up to it , it sounds like the tappet is rattling. Its like a constant sound.

The timing belt was done 10k miles ago so its a while before it needs to be done . Is the variator and expensive job ?

macroman · 31-10-2008 3:59pm

Tappets are solid on the Alfa's aren't they? I know the case with Fiat's it's usually a sign that the shims need replacing.

mickdw · 31-10-2008 4:07pm

take it to an alfa specialist (not an alfa dealer) and they will more than likely diagnose it on the spot. What year is the car?

Variator would be a few hundred Im sure as major belts etc come off.

As its a constant sound you hear and it seems to have started overnight, probably not variator.

macroman · 31-10-2008 4:41pm

On second thoughts, what oil are you using? Alfa recommend Selenia 10W40 for the 1.6/1.8/2.0 litre engines. For extreme cold (minus conditions) it's recommended you use Performa 5W30.

Barr · 31-10-2008 4:58pm

mickdw wrote: »

take it to an alfa specialist (not an alfa dealer) and they will more than likely diagnose it on the spot. What year is the car?

Variator would be a few hundred Im sure as major belts etc come off.

As its a constant sound you hear and it seems to have started overnight, probably not variator.

Its a 2000, so would you only hear the rattle on idle if it was the variator

Barr · 31-10-2008 4:59pm

macroman wrote: »

On second thoughts, what oil are you using? Alfa recommend Selenia 10W40 for the 1.6/1.8/2.0 litre engines. For extreme cold (minus conditions) it's recommended you use Performa 5W30.

Its 10w40 but would'nt think it has anything to do with the oil tbh

knifey_spoonie · 31-10-2008 5:14pm

CAN OF PETROL € 5
BOX OF MATCHES € .50

TOTAL € 5.50

Halloween Bonfire PRICELESS

macroman · 31-10-2008 5:21pm

Barr wrote: »

Its 10w40 but would'nt think it has anything to do with the oil tbh

Well, if it's the variator it will be something like a "diesel-noise" after starting the engine, essentially the failure of the variator is down to oil as if there's lots of cold mornings or short journeys it is being starved of oil. If it sounds like this than it's the variator.

Barr · 31-10-2008 5:49pm

macroman wrote: »

Well, if it's the variator it will be something like a "diesel-noise" after starting the engine, essentially the failure of the variator is down to oil as if there's lots of cold mornings or short journeys it is being starved of oil. If it sounds like this than it's the variator.

mmm you know what it does sound very similar , thanks for that I think you are right

macroman · 31-10-2008 6:05pm

Take it to a specialist or savvy mechanic anyway. Part no for reference is: 60666199

Rattling tappet on 156

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