Alfa Romea 159diesel 1.9 any information on this engine

colmahon

Hi Guys
Anyone have any information on the Alfa Romeo 159 Diesel ? how good are they ? looking at a 2007/2008 models at the moment ,had a few 156 petrol b4 2001/2002 models and never had problems with them
thanks

murphyebass

I had a Alfa GT with a 1.9JTD engine.

150bhp good torque.

They have a good reputation in fairness.

There's an 8valve and 16valve version.

I've no experience of the 8valve but have been told you're better off with the 16valvr if possible.

I'm jealous btw. I think I'll have to jump back on the Alfa train in the next year or two.

I miss my GT massively

colmahon

ok thanks ,was thinking of a GT aswell see some amazing looking ones but wouldnt know much about them

GavMan

Leaving engines aside, the GT was built on an older platform to the 159. Typically, the 159 would be more reliable than a GT.

ba_barabus

I have a 159 JTDM 150bhp as does Pred Racer. I've nothing bad to say about it, mpg could be better but if I backed off the accelerater that would sort itself. It's a lovely car to drive.

H3llR4iser

I drive a 1.9 JTS, it's the petrol version. There's nothing generally wrong with the car, it's actually much better than most people (who never drove one) say. Its dimensions are somewhat deceiving, in successions of fast corners it is very responsive, and the grip is essentially as high as you can possibly get in a similarly engined compact executive.

For the 1.9 JTDm specifically, look out for these two things:

- The M32 Gearbox: Some diesel cars needed the 5/6th gear shaft bearings to be replaced. The slower/more calmly the car has been driven, the worse the problem can get (e.g. accelerating from slow speeds in 5th or 6th, thus applying full torque to the 'box). When going for the test, make sure you drive the car in the two top gears and listen for a "whining" sound that might come from the front, more or less central area. Usually, the sound changes/intensifies with speed and will have a definite variation when you come on or off the throttle. Also check for gearstick movement when flooring/lifting off.
As the repair can be in the region of 1000, sometimes 1500 euro, it is often the real reason people will sell the car;

- Power steering fluid and reservoir : It should not affect cars from 2008/2009, but some early cars had the wrong power steering fluid and reservoir fitted to them. Alfa Romeo issued a recall for replacing both items. Easiest way to check is to open the fluid reservoir and check for the color - you want one with the GREEN stuff

Other than that, listen for knocks and "thuds" from the suspensions, the bushes and arms are stronger than on older Alfas but still prone to wear - like in most cars with complex set up.

Good luck hunting your new Alfa, it might be a long search but in the end it'll be worth it. You'll be turning back to look at it every time you park the 159 and walk away

colmahon

thanks for thatb

Skuxx

Interested in the opinions given here, I'm in the market for a 159 aswell!

colmahon

Any luck with finding one ?

ba_barabus

I've been flirting with the idea of selling my lately but I can't for the life of me figure out what I'd change it for.

bear1

Change it for a 2.4 159

bear1

Actually wait, a 164 v6 turbo drool.

Skuxx

colmahon wrote: »

Any luck with finding one ?

There's one on carzone at the moment, a silver 159, 1.9jtd! Looks nice, leather interior and all that jazz! I haven't got to the stage of visiting garages yet though, but I will get there! I had been trying to decide between an Alfa or a Saab 93, definetly heading towards the Alfa I reckon!

Timooo_23

8valve 1.9 jtdm isn't a good engine. Narrow power band, likes its gearboxes! In my experience, get the 150 with full service history. Much better engine. Nicer in the car to drive.

ba_barabus

bear1 wrote: »

Change it for a 2.4 159

Now you're talking

colmahon

thanks for that Timooo_23

colmahon

Timooo_23 wrote: »

8valve 1.9 jtdm isn't a good engine. Narrow power band, likes its gearboxes! In my experience, get the 150 with full service history. Much better engine. Nicer in the car to drive.

so the 150bhp 16valve is a better engine ?

H3llR4iser

colmahon wrote: »

so the 150bhp 16valve is a better engine ?

The 150hp is more balanced for the car - the extra power comes in handy. Both the 120 and the 150 hp have the same M32 gearbox, so what I wrote above still applies, to both.

Now, here's another caveat: there is also a 2.0 JTDm version, few people know about it here, introduced in 2009. It's an even better engine, more fuel efficient, and comes in two versions - 136 and 170 hp. Now, I only ever saw one or two for sale in Ireland and, needless to say, were the 136 hp ones because of the "low tax"; I drove a 170hp (in Italy) and it goes like a freight train - it's only marginally slower than the 2.4. Also, it uses an F40 gearbox, which is much more solid - and nicer to operate.

There are a few over in the UK, but I have no idea how much VRT you'd pay on them.

bazz26

The 2.0 litre were the same engines sold in the Opel Astra and Insignia up to recently.

Skuxx

H3llR4iser wrote: »

The 150hp is more balanced for the car - the extra power comes in handy. Both the 120 and the 150 hp have the same M32 gearbox, so what I wrote above still applies, to both.

Now, here's another caveat: there is also a 2.0 JTDm version, few people know about it here, introduced in 2009. It's an even better engine, more fuel efficient, and comes in two versions - 136 and 170 hp. Now, I only ever saw one or two for sale in Ireland and, needless to say, were the 136 hp ones because of the "low tax"; I drove a 170hp (in Italy) and it goes like a freight train - it's only marginally slower than the 2.4. Also, it uses an F40 gearbox, which is much more solid - and nicer to operate.

There are a few over in the UK, but I have no idea how much VRT you'd pay on them.

There's a 136bhp 2.0 jtdm on donedeal at the moment, looks gorgeous, although I'm a bit unsure on the wheels!

Just curious does anyone know the different spec levels we get here? Looking online there's plenty of info on the tourissmo and lusso but I've also seen a sportivo advertised which I didn't see much info about spec levels!

bear1

Which every 159 you get make sure it has leather seats which are fantastically comfortable and dual zone AC.
Black with red leather is just sex on wheels.