How do I diagnose engine failure? Alfa 155 8v
Posted: March 26th, 2008, 12:04 am
I have aqcuired an Alfa Romeo 155 that needs a new engine. I will be fitting a complete replacement, but I would like to diagnose the problem that caused the failure, if possible.
Previous owner describes a bang, severe loss of power, quite a lot of oil smoke and then the engine died. Lifting the bonnet shows the problem straight away, conrod sticking through a hole in the front of the block, about 4 inches wide. I think it was piston number 2.
Engine is a 1.8 litre Alfa 4 cylinder in line transverse, twin spark. Its the earlier chain driven twin cam 8 valve head. I am told this engine is very tough and 'bullet-proof', much stronger than the later 16v. Although this example seems to not be as bullet proof as others. Mileage is just over 105,000 which is not too high for one of these engines.
So, I would like to diagnose the cause of the failure when I strip it apart, but I am worried that a severe failure like this may not leave many clues to what actually happened prior to the failure. The previous owner is not any help in this detective work, so its purely what I can see during dis-assembly.
So, what do I need to look for, is there a step by step procedure I can follow? Or is it a lost cause and I should maybe just get the new engine in and forget about this one?
Car is a wide body 155 in purple. I am informed thats the rarest colour for the wide-bodies. Apart from the engine, the car just needs a little cosmetic tidying and then I can at last claim to be an Alfa owner. I've always had a soft spot for the 155 and this one definitly needed saving, I hate seeing cars scrapped for something as trivial as a conrod breaking free.
Regards,
Steve
Previous owner describes a bang, severe loss of power, quite a lot of oil smoke and then the engine died. Lifting the bonnet shows the problem straight away, conrod sticking through a hole in the front of the block, about 4 inches wide. I think it was piston number 2.
Engine is a 1.8 litre Alfa 4 cylinder in line transverse, twin spark. Its the earlier chain driven twin cam 8 valve head. I am told this engine is very tough and 'bullet-proof', much stronger than the later 16v. Although this example seems to not be as bullet proof as others. Mileage is just over 105,000 which is not too high for one of these engines.
So, I would like to diagnose the cause of the failure when I strip it apart, but I am worried that a severe failure like this may not leave many clues to what actually happened prior to the failure. The previous owner is not any help in this detective work, so its purely what I can see during dis-assembly.
So, what do I need to look for, is there a step by step procedure I can follow? Or is it a lost cause and I should maybe just get the new engine in and forget about this one?
Car is a wide body 155 in purple. I am informed thats the rarest colour for the wide-bodies. Apart from the engine, the car just needs a little cosmetic tidying and then I can at last claim to be an Alfa owner. I've always had a soft spot for the 155 and this one definitly needed saving, I hate seeing cars scrapped for something as trivial as a conrod breaking free.
Regards,
Steve