Every car has its problems, including the Alfa 147. The Alfa 147s are reliable cars if they are well maintained, but as with all vehicles there are some points you should pay attention to when buying. In this article you can read about problems that can occur with the Alfa 147. From this information you know what to look out for when buying.
The famous Twins Sparks
The engines (twin sparks) in Alfa Romeo cars use oil. If you check the oil and there is little or no oil in the crankcase, this is an indication that the car has not been maintained by an enthusiast. It is probably best to walk away at this point.
Pay attention to the timing belt interval and the camshaft adjuster
The timing belt is an important issue with the 147. At their introduction, these were given an interval of 120,000 kilometres. But Alfa Romeo reduced this to 60,000 kilometres because the timing belt regularly broke. Sometimes a rattle can come from the 4 cylinder engines which makes them sound like a diesel. This is the camshaft adjuster and should be replaced.
The Alfa Romeo with the JTD engines
The diesel engines are very reliable with no real weaknesses. Here too, the timing belt interval is quite short, at 120,000 kilometres or a maximum of 5 years. Please note that when changing the timing belt, the water pump is/will be replaced as well. These are not known for their high quality. Therefore they should be replaced with every belt change. The JTD engine is equipped with the commain rail system, which ensures good performance in terms of consumption and power.
Note the Twin-spark has 8 spark plugs
The Twin-Spark engine has a nice power output, especially in the upper part of the rev range. On the other hand, because of its character, the Twin-Spark is not very economical. 1 litre per 12-13 is feasible, but you should not have a heavy right foot.
The spark plugs last about 120,000 kilometres and cost between €10-15.00 each. Remember that a twin spark has 8 spark plugs, so it can be quite expensive to replace them all.
The air mass meter and the thermostat
When the Alfa 147 has little power or runs irregularly, this can be caused by a defective air mass meter. The costs for a new air masseter are not very high. So this does not have to be an insurmountable problem. If the 147 does not get up to temperature and remains stuck at 70 degrees, the thermostat is probably broken. This repair is not very expensive either and is done regularly for these types.
Do all the panels fit properly?
When looking at an Alfa Romeo 147, check the gaps in the panels to make sure they all fit properly. Accident damage can be seen in the poor fit of the panels. You can also look under the sills for dents and a slightly different colour.
The clutch and gearbox (selespeed)
The clutches and gearboxes are very reliable, a worn clutch tends to bite on the top of its stroke and since they are self-adjusting, a high engagement point means a new clutch is needed soon. The gearboxes are generally problem-free. Selespeed, on the other hand, have more problems, mostly electronic. Check that all gears shift smoothly without grinding. For Selespeed cars, make sure that all the different gearshifts are working, i.e. the paddles, gear knob and city mode.
The suspension of the Alfa 147
The Alfa 147 suspension is sensitive. The upper wishbone can have play at both ends and can manifest itself as a squeak when driving over a speed bump.
There is also a chance of worn suspension bushings and stabiliser rods. This is considered normal maintenance and contributes to the good steering characteristics of the 147.
Rust, interior and electronics
There are few problems with rust on the Alfa Romeo 147s, as the cars are all galvanised ex-factory and all interior trim is very hard wearing. The interior electrics are also generally very reliable, but it is worth checking that everything works when you test drive the car. Check these things:
- Check the fan,
- electric mirrors,
- Electric windows,
- lighter,
- radio,
- climate control,
- windscreen wipers,
- windscreen washers,
- lighting,
- sunroof,
- tailgate release,
- petrol valve unlocking device,
- rear window wiper.
It is also important to check that the various electronic systems on the car are in good condition. When you start the car, three major systems are checked by the car, all of them have a warning light that comes on at start-up and goes off a few seconds later if the light does NOT come on or stays on? Then there is a fault in that system that needs to be repaired.
These systems are airbag, ABS and engine management. The airbag light is a little man with a big balloon in front of him that is located on the lower left between the tachometer and speedometer. The ABS light is a circle with ABS in the middle which is again between the two instruments and the fuel injection light is on the top right of the rev counter and looks like a yellow engine. Remember, they light up for a few seconds and then switch off. The display in the centre of the dashboard should also warn of any malfunctions. The 147 also has a CAN line connecting the various computers in the car. Any malfunctions on one of the monitored systems are indicated by a flashing light in the instrument panel.
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