159 Engine Service

[Heli1]

Hi everyone.,
I am getting conflicting information on the main service and maintenance requirements that must (or should) be done on both petrol and diesel engines in the MY09 159'. Some information states more or less what I'd say comes straight out of a user manual rather than what specialists or guys with experience on the types say should be done. For example, what does everyone recommend as main items to be replaced and at what intervals - klms and years? Cam belt, water pump etc?
Thanks for the help.

[bazzbazz]

I recommend normal servicing to be carried out every 12 months/10,000 kms with oil, oil filter, air filter & cabin filter changed.

2.2 & 3.2 Petrol 159s have chains not belts thus only require changing when necessary.

1750 TBi - Belts and water pump every 100,000 km or 5 years (4 years for harsh conditions which is Australia)

Diesels - Belts and water pump every 140,000 km or 5 years (4 years for harsh conditions which is Australia)

[Citroënbender]

I'm going to re-stress the oil change aspect for modern chain-timed motors. It may not be quite so critical as for some turbo engines, but keeping the oil healthy will ensure optimal service life of guides and tensioner.

[Mick A]

1750 TBi - Belts and water pump every 100,000 km or 5 years (4 years for harsh conditions which is Australia)

Hey Bazz I'm gonna disagree on that one, I believe Alfa have royally fudged that one up. I've had several customers cars in the past either strip the teeth on the belt, or the water pump has thrown in the towel. One was at around 90,000km and the others around 100,000km. I strongly recommend to all our customers now that they do the belt every 3/4 years or no more than 90,000km max kms.

Last head reco I did was very costly, the valves/seals/gaskets etc are very expensive and don't come in a kit as such from Alfa, you need to order all separately.

The 1750's are extremely similar timing belt wise to the twinsparks and JTS engines in the 156's. Similar in belt size and routing, and they also share the exact same water pump.

Mick.

[bazzbazz]

Further to Micks comments, the Manual for the Giulietta with basically the same 1750TBi engine recommends the following for ALL  Giulietta petrol engines-

"For areas that are not dusty: recommended maximum mileage 120,000 km. The belt must be replaced every 6 years, regardless of distance traveled.

Dusty areas and/or demanding use of the car (cold climates, town use, long periods of idling): advised maximum mileage 60,000 km. The belt must be replaced every 4 years, regardless of distance traveled."

So as Australia is one of the "dusty" countries maybe we should apply 60,000 km/4 years to the 1750Tbi in the 159 as well.

[Domenic]

The factory information/workshop data for the Giulietta 1750Tbi QV states that timing belt replacement intervals is determined via VIN#. The max interval for some cars that fall withing a VIN# range is 105,000km, while other cars are like Mick has mentioned earlier @ 90,000km based on the VIN#

Alfa has superseded the timing belt part # for the 1750 engine about 4 times now, so obviously like the twin sparks, JTS and Busso engines they have revised something do the the belt not lasting long enough or they have just changed suppliers....

I know this was about Alfa 159 service intervals, so apologies for drifting slightly off topic.

Geeting back on topic the diesels i would change the belt and water pump @ 80,000km or 4 years, seen a few 2.4 let the water pump go @ 45,000km as the bearing design from factory wasn't good enough, so always make sure you swap it out with a pump that has a heavy duty bearing design.

But at the end of the day if you take your car to get serviced at a specialist they should be able to explain to you why they may do things a little different to what the book says as they have come across problems in the past.

[Heli1]

Excellent feedback guys much appreciated. Seems no real preference to the 2.4 or 1750 engine choice, so looking, looking.

[Craig_m67]

Excellent feedback guys much appreciated. Seems no real preference to the 2.4 or 1750 engine choice, so looking, looking.

Preference, I thought we were discussing service intervals?


If you want a heavy car (159 is), do large distances and/or lots of people/weight.. then get the 2.4 derv, it’s a fantastic motor (EGR/DPF delete and remap). 

If you are city bound, used to driving petrol engines with instant revs then get the 1750tbi, again it’s a fantastic engine (chews fuel though and is quick and addictive).  As I understand it the 2.2 is about as interesting to drive as an underpowered Camry in a nice frock, the 3.2 v6 is glorious but will bankrupt you in fuel bills.  Of course there are significant price differences between 2nd hand models now, so look to the TCO incl. expected fuel and maintenance costs - a v6 may break even over a few years.

The best pick of the bunch (in my opinion) is the 1750tbi Giulietta QV. 
The QV interior is fantastic and the engine in ‘D’ is completely addictive. 
Great handling, aircon, etc ... absolute bargain, can be had for the same price as a good 159ti
Much better car, front end grow on you (change the grill to latest version for $100./)

Unless you need a 159 Sortwagon, such a pretty car..  grab it in a 2.4 Ti

[Heli1]

Yes Craig, but as a newby, the maintenance and such is the key decision on which type, hence the original enquiry. So what you’ve provided here makes heaps of sense.



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[Colin Edwards]

Hi Heli1
I changed the BOSCH plugs on my V6 159 after around 50,000klm.  Recall the Owners Manual reccommends 80,000klm.  The original plugs were stuffed - I'm suprised the car ran at all given their condition.  Given this experiance I figure the plugs should be replaced every 40,000klm.   I used NGK Iridiums.  Note this was for the V6 JTS engine.   I have no experiance with the JTS 4 cylinder engine.
 Colin

[Heli1]

You know, seems same story re what the manual states and real life - especially in city  stop star, salt air and or dusty conditions, I think best to halve the manuals numbers


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[Heli1]

Colin, other than the plugs, how is the rest of the car engine and 4WD maintenance? I’d love a 3.2 but worry about servicing.


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[Citroënbender]

You might find Darryl’s comments to be on the money there.

Ever seen the timing chain arrangement of an Alloytec with dual VVT? It’s a good reason to stay on top of oil age/quality.

[Colin Edwards]

Hi Heli1,
My 159 was a daily drive for over three years - much of that commuting to and from Melbourne CBD. 
I serviced it generally twice as often as recommended in the owners manual and spared no expense with lubricants and fluids.  Where possible always ran it on 98 octane juice.  Costs 20% more but definitely used 10% less!
Fuel consumption is entirely dependent on how you drive, tire pressures and suspension geometry.  The V6 has a pretty wide torque band but will still pull hard to over 6500rpm.  Use the torque wisely and consumption is ok.  I usually ran the tires 41 front 39 rear cold.  Fitted polyurethane bushes everywhere!.  Most critical is the front upper and lower wishbones.  Polyurethane with eccentric bushes on the upper wishbone allows fine adjustment of camber and caster.  This is absolutely critical for grip, handling, tire life and fuel economy.  I had the Ti so the ride height is lower.  A lower ride height produces excessive negative camber on the 159 as it can on most cars.  The poly eccentric bushes allow camber to be set to more sensible figure - say half a degree.  Excessive camber and resultant camber thrust is bad for tire wear and fuel economy.  The eccentric bushes allow an increase in caster which is good for front end feel and grip.

Fit the latest and best spec tires you can.  I lashed out and fitted the Michelins.  Great grip, good wear and improved fuel economy.  Make the car more mechanically efficient and it like have more power and better economy!

No problems with the AWD however it is a bit noisy and hurts fuel economy.  However, punch out of a corner is impressive given the torsen diffs.  Again, replace ALL fluids with the best spec possible.  The gearbox shift is stiff until warm.  Treat it nicely and use a full synthetic lubricant with good cold shift properties. 

Fitted Koni dampers not long after initial purchase.  One of the best investments possible.  Utterly transformed the car.

Nearly every day I regret selling that car!

[Heli1]

Hi Col
Thanks for all the info, really appreciate it. Here’s my new toy arriving on Monday, so looking forward to my first Alfa
John


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