new (for me!) 2002 alfa 147 - need new actuator - any hints?

[traceyandtessa]

Hi all,

I snapped up a 2002 alfa 147 a couple of months ago and now I realise why it was such a bargain - it needs a new actuator, which is supposedly around $4500

Has anyone had any experience with a reconditioned actuator, or have any other hints?  It's an excellent car otherwise.

Cheers for any ideas / advice.

Tracey

[John Hanslow]

Do not know what state you are in but I assume that this is the price quoted thru the dealer service network ? I suggest that you contact an Alfa Specialist in your state and you may be given a choice of options with cost to match.  

If in Vic refer Home page, top right hand side, sponsors link.  Call Monza Motors, Maranello, Italian Job to name a few.

[dehne]

can you tell us exactly is wrong with it, does the car still drive is it a intermitant prob as it may not be the accuator could be something else let us know and might be able to help plus a know a guy to get cheap parts from aswell

[traceyandtessa]

Hi all

Thanks - it's only an intermittent problem, but it's reasonably regular. 

Once the car is running and in second gear, it can continue without any difficulties, but stopping / starting is where the problem is.  Red lights, roundabouts, any time I come to a complete stop there's a chance the gears don't 'catch' properly to take off.

Very frustrating for such a great car.  The mechanic also suggested a new timing belt, but I'm not sure if this is for the same problem or another.

[dehne]

when you are stoped do you have to turn the car off to go again or does it fix it self, i dont think its the accuator because generally when these go thats it, i would first take it to one of the sponsors and get them to do a reset on the sele comp and the main comp and try that if it still continues i would look at getting another pump this links of the sele bottle, where are you located so we can tell you the best/reasonable price place to go

[traceyandtessa]

Hi,

Thanks for this. 

No, I don't need to turn it off to start it again, but when accelerating from a stop it often revs quite high and is jerky until the gears seem seem to catch properly.  I'm in Canberra, and it's the alfa dealer who has advised that the actuator needs replacing.  The car has around 93,000kms on it, and is also due to have it's timing belt replaced - could that be causing some of this issue?  I've got it booked in to have the timing belt replaced on wed.

Thanks again

Tracey

[Sheldon McIntosh]

The timing belt has nothing at all to do with this issue, but is in itself a very important preventative measure.

The Alfa dealers probably make a lot of money on actuators.....

There have been about a hundred requests of a similar nature in the last year or so.  Funny that more people don't think to ask before they buy, but I was the same when I bought my first Alfa, I'm just glad mine was a lot simpler and cheaper to fix.

Check these two threads for starters, and they both have excellent links to more information....

http://www.alfaclubvic.org.au/forum/index.php?topic=2570.0

http://www.alfaclubvic.org.au/forum/index.php?topic=4193.0

and for more info, since the search function on this forum is hopeless, go to google and type...  alfaclubvic+selespeed   ... and you'll get a few results.  I wouldn't be paying what the Alfa dealer is asking straight up.  I'd be doing a bit of research first, and go back to them armed with some knowledge, it's quite possible it just needs a reset.  They won't be expecting that.  Not sure if there are any independent Alfa specialists up there, I'd also be checking that.

Good luck with it.

[traceyandtessa]

Thanks for this - the car is at the mechanics today, and they've agreed to re-calibrate as well as replace the timing belt.  We'll see how it goes!