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rainerghost47

Alfa 147's Rough Idle Points to Faulty Injectors

My 2000 Alfa 147 (95000km) has been acting up lately. The engine runs rough and stalls when idling, plus it takes more fuel than usual. Starting is a pain and power feels weak overall. The local repair shop mentioned faulty injectors but I had bad experiences with mechanics before. Has anyone dealt with similar symptoms and can confirm if injectors are the likely culprit? Looking for honest feedback before I commit to a replacement job.

4 comment(s)

elias_schwarz95

Similar symptoms occurred on my 2003 Alfa 156 with a gasoline engine at 110000km. The repair required cleaning and replacement of two injection valves that were severely clogged with carbon deposits. The symptoms matched exactly, rough idle, engine stalling, increased fuel consumption, and significant power loss. The diagnosis was straightforward using specialized testing equipment at the repair shop. The mechanic demonstrated how the spray pattern from the faulty injectors was irregular and weak. This is a common issue with direct injection engines and can lead to serious engine damage if left unattended. The repair involved removing all injectors, testing each one individually, replacing the defective units, and cleaning the intake manifold. After replacement, the engine performance returned to normal, fuel consumption improved significantly, and the rough idle disappeared completely. This is generally considered a moderate to serious repair that requires proper diagnostic equipment and expertise. If neglected, poor injection can lead to carbon buildup in the engine and potential cylinder damage. Getting it fixed by a qualified technician is crucial for the vehicles longevity.

rainerghost47 (Author)

Thanks for sharing your experience with the 156. My Alfa 147 had the exact same performance issues and the injector cleaning plus replacement fixed everything. The engine runs smooth now and my fuel economy is back to normal. Do you remember the repair cost for your injector job? In my case, one injector was beyond repair and needed full replacement. Also curious if you had any clogging issues since the repair was done?

elias_schwarz95

Since getting the repair done on my Alfa 156, the vehicle has performed flawlessly with no clogging or misfire issues. The total cost came to 515 Euro for cleaning the injection valve and replacing the defective injector. This included diagnostic work and labor. The repair was worth every cent considering the improved fuel efficiency and smooth engine operation. The emissions are also much better now. Regular fuel system cleaning and using quality fuel help prevent future injector problems. I recommend scheduling periodic injector maintenance to avoid similar issues developing again. My experience confirms that catching injection problems early saves money in the long run. When these symptoms appear, waiting typically leads to more extensive and costly repairs.

rainerghost47 (Author)

Thanks everyone for the input. After reading about your experiences, I finally took my Alfa to a specialized import shop last week. The mechanic hooked it up to their diagnostic system which confirmed multiple misfires from clogged injectors. They did a thorough cleaning of the fuel system and had to replace two completely blocked injectors. Total bill came to 650 Euro but the difference in performance is night and day. No more rough idle, the vehicle starts right up, and fuel consumption is back to normal. The technician showed me the old injectors, they were badly gunked up with carbon deposits. Going forward, I will be more proactive with maintenance and use better quality gasoline to prevent future clogging. Really glad I got this fixed before it caused more serious engine damage.

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