Alfa 159 Part IV (any alfa discussion welcome too)

[Saabretooth]

Hi guys, I've had my alfa spider manual for about 5 months now and some feedback for the newbies who are asking about Alfa reliability:

 

1) passenger seat window can continuously wind down automatically, but i have to hold on to the button to wind up

2) aircon is not cold even when only directed through 1 set of vents (main circular ones)

3) passenger seat can't push forward

4) frequently unable to open the boot whether its via Remote Key or the button in the armrest

5) footwell gets warm easily ( abit worried about this!)

6) VDC/Hill control alert always comes on

7) Moderate jolts over bumpy roads will cause the "hood not properly closed" alert. Not sure whether its an accurate alert of is the catch on the retractable hood really loose after jolting

8) this isn't really a car fault, but i just can't find the preset seat position buttons on the driver side! I was looking at it in order to preset the side mirrors to tilt downwards when reversing.. Mine's a Nov 2006 model btw

 

BUTTTTT!!!!!!!

 

I wouldn't change it for ANY car in the world

 

 

 

Good news bro, there are answers to all your stuff. I can't recall it all, but some of the guys will chip in.

 

1) Passenger Side window can do a reset. From fully closed, press down all the way and hold button until it reaches the bottom. hold it for 3-5sec.

then hold it up until it reaches the top, and hold the button upwards up for 3-5 secs. there should be a beep sound usually.

 

2) Aircon is like that, depends on passenger side or drivers side. usually passenger side is warmer.. due to piping originating from drivers side to passenger side. goes past the engine, so it picks up heat from there... cannot solve.

 

3) Err.. its manual seat manoeuvre right? hmm... unless its electronic. Visit AS or AC, should be able to solve for you

 

4) There is a setting on the indash menu, something to choose for auto boot release, Or there is a button somewhere on the door/boot side. I can't remember, but I had the issue before. Someone helped me solve it.

 

5) Where slippers.... or more insulated shoes.. but usually cannot solve, unless you cool down the bay some more.. or change exhaust :P

 

6) Can set/reset

 

7) Can get Workshop to align sensor for you.

 

8) I don't recall having pre-sets...... but mine was 2010 model.

 

 

The rest, better let the others chip in.

 

 

Cheers

[Saabretooth]

Hi Mates,

 

Just got a 4 year old black Alfa Romeo GT a week ago, was driving a Fiat GP for 5 years. Would look enviously at Alfas whenever I visit AS. Hence, when the opportunity came, just have to get it!!!

 

So far, all is good except for a few things

 

- Air Con seems to be blowing cold air only if it set the climate control to 21 degrees (Wonder its a leakage or low refrigerant)

 

- Audio from the stock head unit seems to be behaving erratically when reading MP3 discs

 

- At high revs, there seems to be burning smell....

 

Other than that, it's really a nice car!!!! Love the look, interior and most of all, it just drives so well. The engine noise above 4K rpm is just awesome!

 

Really a happy camper now!

 

the 2.0 JTS?

 

 

or the 3.2 V6?

 

 

[Evirob555]

Hi,

 

My 147 aircon is the same like yours, keep it at 21 degree or lower. Any higher, the passenger side will get warm air. Was told some sensor thingy...at 21, you're good.

 

Cheers

 

Thanks mate, so 21 deg it is. Was looking to get it checked at Motoair just a block away from AS. Maybe I'll just top up refrigerant then!

 

 

[Evirob555]

It's a 2.0 JTS, would have loved to get 3.2 but my GF rejected it due to road tax...

 

 

 

 

[Le_Stig]

Oh ya, Chang Sen Bu Lao Soup, power! No idea man, if go, i need to borrow my friend's handphone again

 

Anyway, tonight is "Yim Kok Hai" for me

Lol, please don't get lost again.

 

So you not going for 5th Aug?

[Le_Stig]

only got one fella I know, from 159 to 159......

 

from 147 to CTR......

 

aiyo, own more cars that I own handphone.....

I wonder who....

[Casio]

Lol, please don't get lost again.

 

So you not going for 5th Aug?

 

Unfortunately not. If you're, do have a good time.

 

 

 

[Casio]

It's a 2.0 JTS, would have loved to get 3.2 but my GF rejected it due to road tax...

 

Not sure if you will, but i regretted not getting a 3.2. I gathered the running cost for 3.2 is "slightly" higher than a 2.0. It is the timing belt change that aiyo, hear liao scare.

 

 

[Knightrider7]

Hi,

 

My 147 aircon is the same like yours, keep it at 21 degree or lower. Any higher, the passenger side will get warm air. Was told some sensor thingy...at 21, you're good.

 

Cheers

 

Agree. On my GT I set it at 20 degrees. Seem to be the sweet spot.

[Knightrider7]

Good news bro, there are answers to all your stuff. I can't recall it all, but some of the guys will chip in.

 

1) Passenger Side window can do a reset. From fully closed, press down all the way and hold button until it reaches the bottom. hold it for 3-5sec.

then hold it up until it reaches the top, and hold the button upwards up for 3-5 secs. there should be a beep sound usually.

 

2) Aircon is like that, depends on passenger side or drivers side. usually passenger side is warmer.. due to piping originating from drivers side to passenger side. goes past the engine, so it picks up heat from there... cannot solve.

 

3) Err.. its manual seat manoeuvre right? hmm... unless its electronic. Visit AS or AC, should be able to solve for you

 

4) There is a setting on the indash menu, something to choose for auto boot release, Or there is a button somewhere on the door/boot side. I can't remember, but I had the issue before. Someone helped me solve it.

 

5) Where slippers.... or more insulated shoes.. but usually cannot solve, unless you cool down the bay some more.. or change exhaust :P

 

6) Can set/reset

 

7) Can get Workshop to align sensor for you.

 

8) I don't recall having pre-sets...... but mine was 2010 model.

 

 

The rest, better let the others chip in.

 

 

Cheers

 

For the aircon piping , how I solved mine was I wrapped the whole pipe running past the engine in those Exhaust heat reflecting tape you can get from Autobacs or Parts shop. Air con did improve a lot.

[Count_duku]

2) aircon is not cold even when only directed through 1 set of vents (main circular ones)

>> like Chrispie mentioned before, changing the aircon/pollen filter has great effect on coldness. I changed about 2 years ago, about time to change again.

 

3) passenger seat can't push forward

>> if yours is a manually operated like mine, I once dropped a pen into the seat rail underneath the seat and could not move the seat forward. Took a torch to locate the obstruction and removed it.

 

5) footwell gets warm easily ( abit worried about this!)

>> the aircon has up, left/right and down arrows. Press the down arrow and ensure the arrow is lighted and your feet will feel cooler.

 

6) VDC/Hill control alert always comes on

>> I had this at the beginning of ownership. After a while the alert disappeared, as I got used to the clutch and biting point. I remembered wheel spinning cos revving too much and let go the clutch too quickly. Could also be sensor issue, the alert was cleared a few times at EA.

[Le_Stig]

Unfortunately not. If you're, do have a good time.

 

Facing some misfiring/screwed A/F and hopefully I can get my new ECU map this weekend.

 

Alright, catch up soon.

[Dymatize]

thanks for all the advise!!

[Vinil]

Hi Vinil,

 

Still hanging around? You not drive the car hard enough to had it break down lar ... How caome we never bump to each other since we work so close ...

 

Hi bro nice to see you again just give me a buz and we can meet for lunch but after fasting month , but recently i noticed too many alfa in our area .

 

[Evirob555]

Not sure if you will, but i regretted not getting a 3.2. I gathered the running cost for 3.2 is "slightly" higher than a 2.0. It is the timing belt change that aiyo, hear liao scare.

 

Had it checked at AS before making the purchase.

Theresa told me the car changed it's belt, actuators and clutch with them less than 6 months ago. That made up mind.

 

Yeah, thought of getting 3.2 but my brain ruled over heart....

 

[Theoldjaffa]

I finally made it home.

 

got stuck at suntec carpark exit..have gearbox checked warning flashed.. need to restart about 8 times before I could engage gear.

 

after I managed to get out, I got stuck in the middle of the road.. same error message.. again have to restart so many times I lost count..

 

drove to the next traffic light, same thing happened.. this time it took 3 restarts.

 

was on manual sport mode. after I managed to restart the 3rd time, I switched off sports mode.. and made it home..

 

Damn stressful during that 10 min drive..

 

had my gearbox recalibrated at AS a few weeks ago.. now it seems the problem is more severe..

 

[Evirob555]

I finally made it home.

 

got stuck at suntec carpark exit..have gearbox checked warning flashed.. need to restart about 8 times before I could engage gear.

 

after I managed to get out, I got stuck in the middle of the road.. same error message.. again have to restart so many times I lost count..

 

drove to the next traffic light, same thing happened.. this time it took 3 restarts.

 

was on manual sport mode. after I managed to restart the 3rd time, I switched off sports mode.. and made it home..

 

Damn stressful during that 10 min drive..

 

had my gearbox recalibrated at AS a few weeks ago.. now it seems the problem is more severe..

 

Hmm, sorry to hear about that.

 

I assume you'll be sending in your ride to AS tomorrow to check again.

 

On average, how much mileage before you'll need recalibrate the Selespeed?

 

 

[Iridiumx]

Honestly, changing gear oil is not that pricey, just that most are used to/follow the routine of 15-20K for gear oil change. Fresh oil can only do good, i'm merely buying a peace of mind. I'm sure many can afford too.

 

eh... 15-20k not routine leh.. u know i heard BMWS don need change gb oil? usual when they need to change, the gb chui liao..