Alfa Romeo 4C 960

The only 1750 TBi with an aluminium block — 22 kg lighter than the cast iron version in the Giulietta and Brera. Mid-mounted transversely behind the seats in the carbon monocoque (65 kg tub weight). Turbo throttle response has two faces: below 2,300 rpm there is a noticeable pause, above 2,500 rpm strong push through to 240 hp. The sound is surprisingly raw and aggressive for a turbocharged four — the mid-engine position with no insulation between engine and driver lets every load change be felt directly in the back. No power steering: parking is a workout, at speed the feel is surgically precise. The TCT dual-clutch gearbox shifts acceptably sharply in Dynamic mode, occasionally jerky in Normal mode at crawling speeds.

• !! Turbo oil feed line: heat damage from 80,000 km

  The turbo oil feed line runs unprotected next to the exhaust manifold. Oil cokes up and the filter strainer becomes blocked — turbo oil starvation results. From late 2013 an improved line with heat shielding was fitted.

  Symptoms: Oil vapour from the engine bay, turbo whine/grinding, power loss, oil loss at the turbocharger.
  800–2,500 $
  Ad Alfa 4C turbo oil feed Leitung960A1 turbo feed line heat shield53039700118
• !! Timing belt: interference engine — failure = total destruction from 100,000 km

  Interference engine with timing belt drive. Belt breakage causes piston-valve collision — total engine destruction. Replace every 100,000 km or 5 years, always with water pump and tensioner. Several tensioner failures are documented.

  Symptoms: No warning until belt failure. Verify last replacement history before purchase — mandatory.
  800–1,500 $
  Ad Alfa 4C timing belt kit960A1 timing belt71748179
• !! Vacuum pump seal failure — camshaft damage from 110,000 km

  The vacuum pump mounted on the end of the camshaft can damage the camshaft through oil starvation if the seal fails. In the worst case, the dry-running pump destroys the camshaft bearing; costly engine damage is the result.

  Symptoms: Oil loss around the vacuum pump area, oil smoke from the engine bay, loss of brake booster pressure
  300–2,500 $
  Ad vacuum pump 1.75 TBi 960A1vacuum pump camshaft 1.8 TBi

+ 6 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses

The only 1750 TBi with an aluminium block — 22 kg lighter than the cast iron version in the Giulietta and Brera. Mid-mounted transversely behind the seats in the carbon monocoque (65 kg tub weight). Turbo throttle response has two faces: below 2,300 rpm there is a noticeable pause, above 2,500 rpm strong push through to 240 hp. The sound is surprisingly raw and aggressive for a turbocharged four — the mid-engine position with no insulation between engine and driver lets every load change be felt directly in the back. No power steering: parking is a workout, at speed the feel is surgically precise. The TCT dual-clutch gearbox shifts acceptably sharply in Dynamic mode, occasionally jerky in Normal mode at crawling speeds.

• !! Turbo oil feed line: heat damage from 80,000 km

  The turbo oil feed line runs unprotected next to the exhaust manifold. Oil cokes up and the filter strainer becomes blocked — turbo oil starvation results. From late 2013 an improved line with heat shielding was fitted.

  Symptoms: Oil vapour from the engine bay, turbo whine/grinding, power loss, oil loss at the turbocharger.
  800–2,500 $
  Ad Alfa 4C turbo oil feed Leitung960A1 turbo feed line heat shield53039700118
• !! Timing belt: interference engine — failure = total destruction from 100,000 km

  Interference engine with timing belt drive. Belt breakage causes piston-valve collision — total engine destruction. Replace every 100,000 km or 5 years, always with water pump and tensioner. Several tensioner failures are documented.

  Symptoms: No warning until belt failure. Verify last replacement history before purchase — mandatory.
  800–1,500 $
  Ad Alfa 4C timing belt kit960A1 timing belt71748179
• !! Vacuum pump seal failure — camshaft damage from 110,000 km

  The vacuum pump mounted on the end of the camshaft can damage the camshaft through oil starvation if the seal fails. In the worst case, the dry-running pump destroys the camshaft bearing; costly engine damage is the result.

  Symptoms: Oil loss around the vacuum pump area, oil smoke from the engine bay, loss of brake booster pressure
  300–2,500 $
  Ad vacuum pump 1.75 TBi 960A1vacuum pump camshaft 1.8 TBi

+ 6 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses