Alfa 147 - Water in the Selespeed system

[ojeanson]

Need some help.....

Last week, my alfa romeo 147 (2005) selespeed didn;t want to start (battery is OK, etc). we found out the car was stuck in FIRST gear at ignition and didn't want to shift down to Neutral.
NRMA connected the battery directly to the selespeed pump (by-passing the control board), which triggered the gear to change to Neutral. Then I was able to start the car

Two days later, the opposite happened: I was able to start the car, but impossible to shift the gear to first gear or to reverse. The gear was stuck in Neutral.

I got the car towed to Alfa service and they told me "they found water into the selespeed system and it damaged all the various components. It will cost at least $4,500 to replace pump and 2 or 3 others components + flushing the selespeed liquid".

I didn't lend the car to anyone, I didn't fill up the washer tank, etc in other words, I am sure that no-one has accessed the selespeed reservoir.

What are my alternatives, really not keen to spend $4500

Thanks

[colcol]

Go to another Alfa Specialist and get a second opinion, parts of the selespeed system can now be rebuilt, how much water was in the system?, it could have been flooded with water or could just have a bit of moisture in it?, Colin.

[ojeanson]

Thanks Colin.
this happened just after the heavy heavy rains we had a week ago. the Alfa repair shop said it is impossible for the rain to get into the system... but i am the only person driving the car so i can't find out how the water got in.

because the car doesn;t run at all, it is now hard to get the car to another specialist. i would have to get the car towed again..

[colcol]

Have the car towed to another Alfa Romeo Service provider and get a second opinion, sure beats public transport or walking, you are going to have to get it fixed, so just bite the bullet and have it looked at, Colin.