Alfa Romeo 2.0 TS
The most common Alfa engine of the late 1990s — 2.0-litre Twin Spark with 150–155 hp. Two spark plugs per cylinder, variable valve timing, revs to 7,000 rpm with a sound noticeably more characterful than anything from VW or Opel of the era. The Selespeed variant (automated manual gearbox) has a bad reputation for hydraulic issues and jerky shifting — the manual is strongly preferable. Phaser failure is the best-known weak point: diesel-like knocking at idle, repair around €300–500. Timing belt every 60,000 km mandatory.
Open Alfa Pleasure
150 hp, convertible, sunshine, manual gearbox — nothing more is needed. The Spider 916 with 2.0 TS offers pure driving pleasure for emotional souls.
Engine Weaknesses 8
Alfa shortened the timing belt interval several times to 60,000 km or 5 years. Belt failure causes engine damage without warning.
Symptoms: Engine suddenly impossible to start, loud metallic noise on belt failure
The O-rings of the oil galleries between head and block (perbunan) swell and deform when exposed to engine oil. Cylinder 4 is particularly affected: coolant enters the oil, visible as milky emulsion on the oil filler cap.
Symptoms: Milky residue on oil filler cap or dipstick, coolant consumption without external leak, white smoke from exhaust on a warm engine.
Insufficient oil supply (missed oil changes, oil loss) leads to con-rod bearing failure. The crankshaft then needs to be reground/polished. Repair costs €700–1,000 for machining plus bearings; severe damage requires engine replacement.
Symptoms: Loud knocking or hammering from engine (especially under load), oil pressure warning light, noticeable power loss.
The camshaft phaser wears out and can stick. Leads to rough running and poor throttle response.
Symptoms: Rough idle, power loss in lower rev range
Thermostat fails to open reliably, coolant loss through a leaking water pump. The pump's plastic impeller can break and interrupt coolant circulation. Recommendation: always replace water pump during timing belt change.
Symptoms: Temperature gauge fluctuates or rises above 110 °C, coolant level drops without visible external leak, cooling fan runs unusually often.
From approx. 150,000 km the seals harden and allow oil to burn into the combustion chambers. Consumption of 0.5–1 l/1,000 km and blue smoke on cold start are typical.
Symptoms: Blue smoke on cold start, increased oil consumption
The throttle body potentiometer's contact tracks wear out and supply incorrect signals to the engine ECU. Result: unstable idle, poor throttle response. Cleaning helps; relearning via OBD is required.
Symptoms: Rough or fluctuating idle between 500–2,000 rpm, engine hunts after cold start, vehicle jerks on throttle lift-off.
Lambda sensors have a lifespan of approx. 100,000 km. A worn sensor delivers incorrect mixture control, the engine runs rich, and fuel consumption rises sharply. Often misdiagnosed as an ignition problem.
Symptoms: Significantly increased fuel consumption (15–20 l/100 km), rough idle, engine management light, fault code P0170/P0172 (mixture too rich).