Alfa 145 Twin Spark 1.4

Paulyh

ok, i'm going to check out an Alfa 145 1.4 (boxser engine) year 2000 with about 90,000 miles on it.
i have always liked the look of these and this one looks like a nice. and it is cheap.
aside from the usual checking oil for crud and looking for smoke from the exhaust and a general nose around is there anything specific that i should look out for?
i know i'll get the anti-Alfa comments and but other then them breaking down all the time:rolleyes: is there any alfa specific problems to look for?
thanks in advance!!

CharlieCroker

timing belt needs to be done every 30k miles MAX!!!!

also, check the head gasket as they can go fairly often. (creamy gunge under oilcap)

press EVERY single button and switch to make sure they work as they are tepermental

make sure the car warms up properly on the testdrive and that the guage goes up to halfway, otherwise the therostat may be gone.

finally, make sure it doesn't overheat. fan relay might be gone.

Bring a mechanic with you is the best advice i can give you. they'll know exactly what to look for.
A good Alfa is brilliant but a bad one will suck you dry

Paulyh

thanks for that...........not sure if i'll be able to bring a mechanic with me, but i think i'll be able to spot any major problems.
the car is only to do me for awhile and i'll still have my old car (a horrible corrolla you know hatchback one!! a part of dies everytime i drive it) to fall back on if things go horribly wrong. and i'll be getting a full service asap if i do buy it.
thanks again

Redisle

Never heard of a 1.4 Alfa before. That engine isn't even listed on parkers.co.uk so Im guessing it was a "special" Irish release or something?

Can't imagine it's too quick off the mark!

Couldn't you stretch to a 1.6? Id imagine it would be a much nicer drive..

alias no.9

There was never a 1.4 boxer in the Alfa 145 and there were no boxer engines at post 1996 or so, they were all twin sparks. Just make sure the timing belt is done, other than that, there's nothing unusual that you wouldn't check on any other car.

CharlieCroker

ya, you could get the 1.4 tspark in the 145 and the 146. think it was in or around 95bhp which was high enough at the time considering a 1.4 Golf only has 75bhp and the Renault Megane 1.6 8v only had 90bhp.
They were quicker than a lot of 1.6's at the time

Paulyh

i have only the same as above!! it seems they discontinued the boxser engine way before 2000 and replaced them all with TS, so will be interesting to see what it is!!
i'm not looking for a pwerful car atm (it's a long story) so thats not a problem.
thank for the replies guy's
i'm going to check it out this evening, so i'll update when i see it

Paulyh

I went to see the car yesterday evening..............

it is a TS engine not a boxser.
opened the oil cap, and it was pretty clean.
the oil level was at low but again the oil on the dopstick looked clean and a reasonable normal oil colour.
Cecked around the wheels and arches and there is no movement in the wheels and no noise when moving the suspension.
The car started first time from cold and adled and revved well with no (visable) smoke from the exhaust.
the interior was good, one or two stains on the seat but nothing that a good steam clean wont fix.
all the electrics are working, the passenger window rubs on the seal when going back up, just needs to be adjusted.
the spare wheel has never been used.
the car drives well, brakes well, has a recent clutch (i was told) and feels good and tight.
the car is a very good spec with sunroof very nice cloth interior, leather gear know steering wheel, all electric, etc....

however!!!! there is a small leak in the radiator...........is this a major issue or can it be fixed easily?????

Paulyh

has anyone any thoughts on the above??? ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

alias no.9

Sounds fine, ring any Fiat garage for a price for a replacement radiator, use that as a bargaining point on price.

Paulyh

ok, so its not the end of the world??
thanks, the price is cheap as the owner is emigrating and wants rid. so i'm thinking its worth it then.
thanks......

alias no.9

If you're really worried about any overheating due to the leaking rad, you could get a compression test done to make sure the head gasket is ok.

richardsheil

What is your definition of cheap. This car could be great. Tell us how much the seller is looking for.

Paulyh

€600 !! after checking it out it seems like a little bargin

edit: we have agreed on this price.......so provided i dont change my mind, i'll be picking it up tomorrow evening

kyote00

it is worth trying to figure out "why" the rad is leaking. If its because of a stone or other physical damage then its probably ok -- but it could be due to over pressurization due to leaking or cracked head...

its worth questioning the owner about it to figure out the background -- how long its been leaking etc etc...

Did the temp guage get up to normal mid level ?

Paulyh wrote: »

I went to see the car yesterday evening..............

it is a TS engine not a boxser.
opened the oil cap, and it was pretty clean.
the oil level was at low but again the oil on the dopstick looked clean and a reasonable normal oil colour.
Cecked around the wheels and arches and there is no movement in the wheels and no noise when moving the suspension.
The car started first time from cold and adled and revved well with no (visable) smoke from the exhaust.
the interior was good, one or two stains on the seat but nothing that a good steam clean wont fix.
all the electrics are working, the passenger window rubs on the seal when going back up, just needs to be adjusted.
the spare wheel has never been used.
the car drives well, brakes well, has a recent clutch (i was told) and feels good and tight.
the car is a very good spec with sunroof very nice cloth interior, leather gear know steering wheel, all electric, etc....

however!!!! there is a small leak in the radiator...........is this a major issue or can it be fixed easily?????

Paulyh

temp went up to normal, as far as i remember.
the seller told me that the temp goes up after about 2 weeks due to the leak.
the oil didnt seem creamy like a thought it would when a head gasket went. but i may be wrong???

CharlieCroker

just to let you know, if your looking for cheap parts look at www.autolusso.co.uk Thats where i get any parts for my car. 2nd hand but reconditioned. Got a new fan and thermostat for mine for £50 stg

alias no.9

CharlieCroker wrote: »

just to let you know, if your looking for cheap parts look at www.autolusso.co.uk Thats where i get any parts for my car. 2nd hand but reconditioned. Got a new fan and thermostat for mine for £50 stg

Don't be afraid to price the parts at any Fiat dealer too, when I had my 156 I sometimes got parts from the UK (http://www.alternativeautos.demon.co.uk/ are another good source) but often found main dealer prices to be competitive.

Paulyh

thanks for all the advice guys. i bought the car this evening and had it on a nice long drive and it seems great! ended up giving 550 for it which is a bargin so its off to get full service asap and i'll steam clean the interior over the weekend.
might take a pic in the daylight and post it

CharlieCroker

do, sounds good for a 00. even if it blows up after a year, it wont have cost the world.
throw up the pics when you've a chance

Paulyh

Paulyh wrote: »

the seller told me that the temp goes up after about 2 weeks due to the leak.

what do you mean by that ? After driving it without topping up for two weeks the temp gauge goes into the red ? If so the engine may have gotten a mild (at best) cooking.

Paulyh

RoverJames wrote: »

what do you mean by that ? After driving it without topping up for two weeks the temp gauge goes into the red ? If so the engine may have gotten a mild (at best) cooking.

I'm not too sure what he meant by that either!!
from what i gather, temp will rise if it is not topped up..........its driving fine at the moment (last night and this morning) with the temp sitting a mid level (90 degrees). is there anything you can get to plug a leaky radiator??? obviously ideal is to get it to a mechanic asap, but with christmas so close, realistically i wont be able to afford it till the end of the month :rolleyes: i know i am just putting off the enevitable...............

itarumaa

Does the fan kick in if you let the car warm up?

if it does then you have one less thing to worry about, then just make sure that you have enough coolant all times.

Pdfile

Paulyh wrote: »

ok, i'm going to check out an Alfa 145 1.4 (boxser engine) year 2000 with about 90,000 miles on it.
i have always liked the look of these and this one looks like a nice. and it is cheap.
aside from the usual checking oil for crud and looking for smoke from the exhaust and a general nose around is there anything specific that i should look out for?
i know i'll get the anti-Alfa comments and but other then them breaking down all the time:rolleyes: is there any alfa specific problems to look for?
thanks in advance!!

1.4 boxer


good luck with the to 60 mate.

EPM

Pdfile wrote: »

1.4 boxer


good luck with the to 60 mate.

Because that is the most important consideration when looking for a 1.4 hatch:rolleyes:

Pdfile

EPM wrote: »

Because that is the most important consideration when looking for a 1.4 hatch:rolleyes:

yeah, you generally look to do limits in a safe time, rather then hold the traffic up with the Sheer noise and lack of movement

EPM

Pdfile wrote: »

yeah, you generally look to do limits in a safe time, rather then hold the traffic up with the Sheer noise and lack of movement

It's a TS so not a Boxer and 100 odd brake should be plenty to get moving safely in it

Paulyh

if you read the thread, it turned out its a 1.4TS.......and it not that bad to be fair. as i said before.......not looking for a fast car atm as my last one ended up going through a wall:eek:

Pdfile

EPM wrote: »

It's a TS so not a Boxer and 100 odd brake should be plenty to get moving safely in it

go over 4k and watch the head blow ( sorry, have to forfill the anti alfa stance for once... now im done )

through a wall.... try upside down <--- thats my smile upside down.... scaryist but one of the most fun things that has ever happened..... Ever in my life.

Paulyh

itarumaa wrote: »

Does the fan kick in if you let the car warm up?

if it does then you have one less thing to worry about, then just make sure that you have enough coolant all times.

yes, the fan kicks in when it's warmed up. seems to be just the leaky rad, just dont want it to get worse, so wondering if there is a quick fix for the time being??

Paulyh

Pdfile wrote: »

go over 4k and watch the head blow ( sorry, have to forfill the anti alfa stance for once... now im done )

through a wall.... try upside down <--- thats my smile upside down.... scaryist but one of the most fun things that has ever happened..... Ever in my life.

no, i did stay the right way up!! throught a hedge and then an abrupt stop in a stone wall.........and most uncomforable thing was the air bag hitting me in the face

itarumaa

I would just see what is the situation, do you actually see that coolant is leaking out, or do you just have an idea about it?

Of course you can try those radwells etc liquids you pour in to the system, but those are always a bit lottery. Sometimes you win sometimes you loose.

Paulyh

i havent seen any coolant........i have only got it since last night though.
the seller told me there was a leak. i'll check at lunch time, as the car is park in underground car park here at work, so the ground will be dry and the car was warmed up when i parked it there, and i will see if anything has leaked out.
might try some of the stuff you mentioned..........

Paulyh

and of course it may not be the rad at all!! it could be a hose or connection.......

Paulyh

Paulyh wrote: »

and of course it may not be the rad at all!! it could be a hose or connection.......

Agreed, could be leaking from loads of places, water pump, inlet manifold, hose, rad, expansion tank cap could be faulty.

Paulyh

RoverJames wrote: »

Agreed, could be leaking from loads of places, water pump, inlet manifold, hose, rad, expansion tank cap could be faulty.

i'll have a good root around at lunch time and see if i can see any clues.....

TM RACING

Every body is saying to check that the timing belt is done, but what they do not seem to know is that the alfa boxer engine has two timing belts. the engine has to come out to do them so make sure they're done. By the way you can not get a 1.4 boxer, only a 1.6.

Paulyh

TM RACING wrote: »

Every body is saying to check that the timing belt is done, but what they do not seem to know is that the alfa boxer engine has two timing belts. the engine has to come out to do them so make sure they're done. By the way you can not get a 1.4 boxer, only a 1.6.

hey TM, it is a 1.4TS not a boxer as advertised, is suspected this as i didnt think they used boxers since the early 90's.

cjt156

Actually there was a 1.4 Boxer; sold on the continent. It was 1350cc and sold as both 1.3 and 1.4. Phased out in the mid 90s when the TwinSpark engine came along.

Paulyh

ok.....i dont know how the seller thought it was a boxer. it has t. Spark written on the back:rolleyes:

anyway, i went down an dchecked it out at lunch and there is nothing really to report. checked the ground under the engine. about 3 drops of........eh something. the nothing under the radiator drops were under the engine, so could even be oily/dirty water from off the surface of the engine. so all looks good.

Viejo Zorro

When you are selling this car on pm me... I presume it won't be for at least six months.

Eoin

Paulyh wrote: »

hey TM, it is a 1.4TS not a boxer as advertised, is suspected this as i didnt think they used boxers since the early 90's.

I've updated the thread title

Paulyh

eoin wrote: »

I've updated the thread title

thanks Eoin!!!

Viejo Zorro wrote: »

When you are selling this car on pm me... I presume it won't be for at least six months.

i will do!! what has you so interested??
i forgot to take a pic of my latest bargin.......hang on, it was on adverts!!!

heres the link!!
[HTML]http://www.adverts.ie/showproduct.php?product=166755&cat=2
[/HTML]

maxwell smart

What sort of price to get the timing belt done on her do you reckon?

Paulyh

Paulyh wrote: »

heres the link!!
[html]http://www.adverts.ie/showproduct.php?product=166755&cat=2
[/html]

Looks like not a bad example, fingers crossed the NCT goes ok for you.

Paulyh

maxwell smart wrote: »

What sort of price to get the timing belt done on her do you reckon?

i have'nt got a clue...it will be after christmas till get it to a garage for a full service. until then i'll just be keeping an eye on it for any issues.

RoverJames wrote: »

Looks like not a bad example, fingers crossed the NCT goes ok for you.

thanks, its up in january so hopefully there'll be no big problems with it. but for the money i gave for it i reckon its worth it (i hope).