An emotional roller coaster tonight.

Loosing hope i went back to basics. Within 5 minutes i Found all 6 coil packs are grounded at thr same point, a nut hidden by general view by the loom.

It sparked blue (while the engine was runninh) and at that point i knew my problem

Tightened it up and misfire gone! Whooooooooooo

But the smoother running is now allowing me to hear a worrying noise.

Sounds like the cambelt is rubbing the cambelt cover at the bottom. The belt csnt be moved without removing tension.

Which means i need to refit the cam lockd dti down cylinder number 1 etc

But i reckon i will have it done in a weekend at a relaxed pace

May need a new cambelt depending on how much its rubbed. Or possibly a tensioner.

Failed ones are known for going at an angle and forcing the belt into the covers. New parts? Ha! Its not tom jones for new parts to come with problems. Even though they are SKF etc.

MoT is still going ahead for tomorrow. Although the reverse light switch has decided to not play ball.

Wasnt working, removed it, cleaned it, it worked, fitted it to the car it worked, drive home and its stopped working lol

My reverse light switch did the same thing, at least it's an easy fix

No reverse lights isn't a MOT failure.

Great work on the progress Taylor, bad on the noise, hope you get it sorted quick!

Well i had a "ting" noise.. I didnt like the sound of it, and those who experienced it before found it was due to the timing being slightly off.

 

So i decided id give it another crack. And yes it was marginally off.

 

Retimed and Retensioned it.

 

Tensioning it was a PITA as space is an issue and with it being in the car its difficult. if it was out its quite easy to tension as you can easily see the indicator whereas im using a mirror to check and eliminate any paralax error.

 

but obviously that wasnt enough... because on starting it, it sounds like i have the death rattle.

 

exhausted and tired. so will confirm tomorrow, worst case is its 24 valves have decided to marry 6 pistons and a £1000 bill to fix it. 

 

Best case is the timing is fine but the cambelt is rubbing on the tinware, the tinware is in a crap condition so maybe slightly damaged and causing some nasty sounds

Seriously hope it's the tinware for you mate, would be such a shame

Best of luck today, fingers crossed it's a minimal fix and you get it going spot on when you're slightly less tired.

Got my fingers crossed for you Taylor

 

St Margarets bay this afternoon/evening.

 

Was two things, 1) Tin ware catching on a cam pulley, 2) a bit dropped down behind the cambelt cover (was stuck against the alternator bracket) but that was the cause of the awful rattle last night which i mistook for the Alfa "Death Rattle"

 

Im happy with it. the 120 miles i spent on the road today (bit of a coastal run) alot of it was A roads, almost no motorway driving, but i did find that it does seem a bit floaty, doesnt seem planted. Thats a sign of worn shocks, they do look a bit past it, and an Alfa specialist (who carried out a repair on the car last year under a different owner)  did also say that they looked a bit worn.

 

Perhaps a new set of shocks will be on order soon

 

 

Massive change of mood given this morning i wanted to take my jerry can to the petrol station then go back and torch the car.... so its looking better

 

Great news Taylor so pleased for you!

The styling of that car is stunning.

Glad it's all sorted itself out, and you now get to enjoy the Alfa!

Got taken for a spin Sunday evening. It does put a massive smile on your face. Even as a passenger.

Making up for lost time im driving her everywhere.

However after thr sprinted driving Sunday, i am now looking at 300 miles to £80-90 of petrol LOL

Love ittttttt!!!!!

So about 20mpg. Not too bad for a GTV haha

Nice to see her up and running, Taylor.

£80/90..... That's a night out with the missus..... I know what I would sooner be doing or hear :p

Nice to see her up and running, Taylor.

£80/90..... That's a night out with the missus..... I know what I would sooner be doing or hear :p

Yeah the missus...... Lol

Nice to see her up and running, Taylor.

£80/90..... That's a night out with the missus..... I know what I would sooner be doing or hear :p

All depends what Mrs you have. I have an awesome Mrs so no contest.

All depends what Mrs you have. I have an awesome Mrs so no contest.

I was trying to be funny.... My missus is also awesome

Still waiting to see and hear this beauty

Impressed to see you've found a car as old as you are

The missus can wait, grow some balls and go rag the motor.

i have 4 years on this girl, whos in better shape i dont know haha

got another little project on the go (mk1 fabia elegance which needs a clutch) so the alfa will be behaving itself for a week

but unfortunately adam i think you will struggle to find an 1890's Mercedes motor wagen on the used market

The missus can wait, grow some balls and go rag the motor.

Missus? Ha! No time for one of them in this ownership.

I have been taking full advantage of her 7000 rpm redline