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andys33horley · Posted: Fri Feb 23, 2007 9:33 pm Post subject: is my 33 dieing

theres a noise coming from the right hand cam its like a horrible rumbling noise any suggestions to what it mite be will a simple oil change and plugs help
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just brought my first 33 16v

ray · Alfa Arna Joined: 23 Mar 2006 Posts: 23 Location: surrey

scrap it

paulhide · Posted: Sun Feb 25, 2007 12:10 pm Post subject:

Make sure the cam pulley isn't touching the plastic covers on the front of the engine in any way as I had this happen once and make sure that the tensioners are running freely? Otherwise you may be in a bit of trouble?
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Corin · Alfasud Joined: 28 Aug 2005 Posts: 55

My guess would be tensioners, having seen the crappy plastic things fitted to the 33's, when compared to the ones fitted to my integrale, i can say they are definately a weak point. When the bearing in the middle of them starts to go, they get hot, heat and plastic doesnt mix, tensioner wheel goes soft from heat, tensioer stops spinning round and wobbles instead, engine destructs, bent valves etc. Get the cam covers off, watch the belt run with a mirror down the gap perhaps, dont use the car otherwise in a suck it an see style, cos you'll be really f**ked off when it all goes t*ts up.... I bought and broke a 33 that had destructed 50 or so miles after cam belt change because they left the tensioners in, guess that little extra pressure buggered them.
There is one bolt holding the cover on that is an absolute pig, you'll find it when you've got the rest off and the cover still wont come out, good luck and ask again if any more questions!

paulhide · Posted: Sun Feb 25, 2007 5:55 pm Post subject:

And then of course there is a failed water pump, which will rumble if it fails.
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ray · Alfa Arna Joined: 23 Mar 2006 Posts: 23 Location: surrey

The noise andy is on about is coming from the driver's side of the engine from the top next to rocker cover, i think it could be something to do with the cam. Question

johnboy · Posted: Sun Feb 25, 2007 9:09 pm Post subject:

Hi andy

check what the guy's have written.if it goes pete tong.if it is the pulley's.get new ones and belts.i'll fit them for you,for a bit of dosh.as i did mine. i have three 16v head's conplete.if you did need one

regards john
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hugh jinjin · Alfasud Joined: 04 Sep 2004 Posts: 68 Location: Glasgow

disconnect the fan belts first and run it again. if the noise doesn't go away then its not the alternator, water pump or power steering pump. if the noise is still there DON'T drive it about, take the bonnet, grille and radiator off and remove the belt covers to have a look.

just a thought, have you checked the power steering fluid level?

Admin · Posted: Sun Feb 25, 2007 10:43 pm Post subject:

Hi

I put new tensiones in the 1.3 when I stuck new belts on it. Pretty cheap.

All the best

Keith

andys33horley · Posted: Mon Feb 26, 2007 12:28 am Post subject:

IM GOING TO SPEND A DAY ON IT THIS WEEK I SPOKE TO A FRIEND WHO KNOWS A LOT ABOUT 33S HE SAID IT IS CAM LIFTERS SO ILL TRY SORTING THEM OUT ASAP
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just brought my first 33 16v

andys33horley · Posted: Mon Feb 26, 2007 12:44 am Post subject:

was verry close to putting it up for sale but im going to bare with it for now
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just brought my first 33 16v

stedee · Alfa 33 Joined: 02 May 2006 Posts: 364 Location: brighouse

hi
camlifters????? - i doubt its that - i reckon its what the other guys have said, maybe dodgy tensioners, if it was camlifters( i presume you mean the hydraulic lifters i would expect a tapping sound) if it is that i have got some spares if you want them but if it is the lifters i would look for a slipped belt or a blocked oil line to have caused the damage.
good luck - hope you find the problem b4 you knacker the heads
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brum brum

andys33horley · Posted: Mon Feb 26, 2007 8:24 pm Post subject:

if you havnt of guessed me and ray are related hes quiet good at this sort of thing so i proberbly stick with what he said it is thank you every one else for your help, long live the 33
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just brought my first 33 16v

ray · Alfa Arna Joined: 23 Mar 2006 Posts: 23 Location: surrey

Hi i look at andys car and it is making a tapping sound and is runing rearley rough Question

andys33horley · Posted: Mon Feb 26, 2007 8:41 pm Post subject:

rough not close a bag of pooh
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just brought my first 33 16v

stedee · Alfa 33 Joined: 02 May 2006 Posts: 364 Location: brighouse

ray - have you checked the belts - sounds like one could have slipped.
i bought a p4 with the engine already knackered - cambelt had slipped and made the engine tappy on the one side, i expected it to be a bent valve or 2 but there was no sign of a dodgy valve so i replaced all the followers and i blasted all the oil lines through because they are on the thin side just in case that is why i`ve got some spare but i never found any real tell tale sign of damage.
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ZeNiTh-PbArM · Posted: Tue Feb 27, 2007 12:20 pm Post subject:

Hi,

On series III cars with hydraulic lifters, a lot of users did experience lifter failure. This is due to poor quality material, the flat top of the lifter wears out until there's a hole. After this the oil pressure inside the lifter drops and there's valve clatter noise. After a while the top of the lifter breaks and there's no valve lift : engine runs on three cylinders!
This is difficult to diagnose as the compression test is still ok on the cylinder! So mechanics replace plug, injector, and get stuck!
This happens on late (93/94) 33s and boxer 145/146, i've seen lifters fail as early as 90 000 kms. Note that poor service intervals, and cheap oil don't help...
Replacement involves removing the head, and replacing cambelts+tensioners, gaskets (head,valve cover, intake, exhaust), four lifters, and a camshaft (the corresponding lobe is always worn beyond repair). And when one side dies, the other is waiting to do the same...so if you're courageous, buy a full head gasket set and 8 lifters...beware the inteake manifold gaskets are not part of the alfa head gasket set!

All the best,
zp

andys33horley · Posted: Tue Feb 27, 2007 5:39 pm Post subject:

thank you ive decided to just drive the car till it gives up so there will be lots of spares on here soon for a series 3 16v
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just brought my first 33 16v

Rich B · Posted: Fri Mar 09, 2007 12:19 pm Post subject:

I know someone who has a 16v engine for sale - If you're interested, send me a pm and I'll send you his contact details.

andys33horley · Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2007 10:52 pm Post subject:

had a expert opinion today and he recons its the berrings on cam belt tensioners so getting a price to get them and belts done
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just brought my first 33 16v

ChrisC · Alfa Sprint Joined: 13 Mar 2003 Posts: 152 Location: Frome

andys33horley · Posted: Thu Apr 12, 2007 12:28 am Post subject:

ok chris
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just brought my first 33 16v

paulhide · Posted: Thu Apr 12, 2007 9:28 am Post subject:

Think Chris was being a bit harsh.
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andys33horley · Posted: Thu Apr 12, 2007 11:19 pm Post subject:

yeh he was never mind every one is aloud there own opinion i suppose
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just brought my first 33 16v