ExigeEvan - Alfa Romeo GT ownership thread

[ExigeEvan]

Good news everyone!

Alfa has been for its first service at a local specialist. Near side bushings are worn, knew that. Oil was quiet dirty, knew that. So might have to do a front wishbone swap in the near future, and oil changes might change to 6 monthly.

No surprises! Great success.

 

[homeforsummer]

How many miles do you do a year, out of interest? I know the JTS engines are not quite as sensitive to irregular maintenance as the old Twin Spark ones but if you're doing healthy miles in it then more regular oil changes probably wouldn't hurt.

 

[ExigeEvan]

How many miles do you do a year, out of interest? I know the JTS engines are not quite as sensitive to irregular maintenance as the old Twin Spark ones but if you're doing healthy miles in it then more regular oil changes probably wouldn't hurt.

I've personally done less than 9k this year and it's only done 11k since last service, and I don't tend to do short runs in it either.

I'm not adverse to doing 6 monthly changes in it as it's not a difficult job to do myself or particularly expensive otherwise.

 

[ExigeEvan]

So after the service I noticed it was struggling to get upto temperature on a cruise. Whilst it normally moves between 70C-90C this is considered pretty normal amongst the owners on the forum. However, recently it was drifting nearer 60C. Quick check of the top radiator pipe after a cold night made it clear thermostat was probably not closing.

With this in mind it was time to call the warranty company and get the thermostat changed. Easily done, did take 2 days but no big deal. Now she sits pretty at 90C no matter what.

Also purchased a few litres of 5w40. I'm abit reserved about it, but I'll give it 6 months and possibly swap back to 10w60. Maybe.

 

[homeforsummer]

Any reason you've gone for the different oil? I'd just be very cautious as Alfas can be sensitive to it - my brother's 156 lunched an engine apparently due to damage caused by the previous owner using the wrong grade of oil throughout its ownership. I think the JTS engines are a little less sensitive than the old Twin Spark ones, but it's something that'd make me stick religiously to recommended stuff!

 

[GTP_Ingram]

In fairness, I think that my 156 had had a seriously wrong grade of oil in it. Like, olive oil, or something. The specialist that I bought it from reccomended a choice of two grades; one which was better for oil consumption and the other that was better for fuel consumption, iirc.

 

[homeforsummer]

Similar reports on the internet seem to suggest they're very fickle with oil. Though if they'd been dumping in completely the wrong stuff that would certainly have accelerated any issues. Evan should be fine with his, to be honest, as long as it's one that's been tried and tested by other Alfa owners with no reported problems.

The oil my Honda uses is practically water. About as low-viscosity as oil gets.

 

[ExigeEvan]

It's a point of contention on the forums.

I didn't choose the swap, just happened I asked after the service what brand he had put in. 5w40 is what the TS usually take, but 10w60 was recommended for the JTS due to cam wear. As you can guess, 10w60 is seriously thick stuff. The garage is very well regarded in the community, so I'm surprised I've never seen the point come up about this issue at this garage. He's very much against 10w60, reckons the JTS burns it too quickly. I only put 3 litres through it in a year so I don't consider that excessive.

Anyway, we'll see. I'll probably err on the side of caution and go back to 10w60.

 

[ExigeEvan]

Holy resurrection. ...

Well before opening a new thread on the MX5 is guess I should put this one to rest.

The GT went in Sept 2014 as I was now forecast to do 20,000 miles a year and 35 MPG, tyre wear and 36,000 mile timing belt intervals were not good prospects for my wallet. I loved the car, i loved the look, the interior and the exhaust note from S/S unit.

It wasn't particularly well put together and there were several gremlins on the horizon (most notably the wishbone bushes). I'm also under no illusions that it was a particularly fast (JTS supposedly loose ponies) or well handling on the limit, but it was a glorious car and a great 18 months.

I sold it back to the dealer I bought it from after unsuccessfully trying to sell it private. Since then it appears to have disappeared/SORN or had a private plate as I can now longer trace it.

It was replaced by a Skoda FABIA '02 1.9 TDi that I love/hate. It's a shed, it's not fun. But it's economical and cheap to run, and it's taken everything from rubbish to 300kg of paving slabs!

Anyway, a new thread on the MX5 to come...