Transmission problem on 156 ?

[bowf]

I have a 2000 156 2.0TS sport pack 2. It has done 25000 and, so far, has been very very reliable. Only a door handle and some rear suspension bushes have needed replaced, both under waurantee.
However it has developed a problem lately that is getting worse and I need your opinions. It has developed what I can only describe as very bad transmission ' snatch ' . It is particularly bad in 2nd gear, and is noticeable in 3rd and 4th as well. It makes town driving a complete pain. I can only liken it to riding a motorcycle with a badly adjusted chain. Hesitancy between throttle and drive, jerky engine braking etc.etc.
I also notice a ' clunking ' through the gear lever when it does this. although there is no accompanying noise, and the gearchange is definitely not as sweet as it used to be.
What's your opinion ? Drive shaft problem ? Gearbox ?

[Joachim]

Hello Aberdonian Alfista,

Hmmmm...it's real difficult to diagnose this by reading a description only.

Try the following: Accelerate moderately with steering in full lock.
In case the drive-shafts are going, then there should be a cracking noise.

But frankly, my guess is another: I think the engine bushes are either lose or need replacement. Does the gear shift move when you accelerate, e.g. in 3rd gear?
If yes, that would be quite a strong indicator that the engine is no longer taut in its place.

I hope this is the reason, as this would also be inexpensive to fix.

For any other problems, like final drive or gearbox trouble, it's far too early at 25 k-miles, but of course, it never can be ruled out completely.

Greetings from Hong Kong,
Joachim

[bowf]

Thanks for your input.
Yes, the gear lever does move ! The engine mount did oocur to me as an option.
I will report this to the dealer and see what their opinion is.
It is making me look like a bad driver around town !
You are right that 25K is early for gearbox trouble but I know I am very hard on cars. I drive 20 miles to work over some perfect scottish country roads with no speed cameras or police !
I am lucky that I get to use 7000 rpm all the time and over 100mph every morning and evening !
I think this is hard on cars....
I have used 3 sets of front tyres,1set of rear tyres and 4 sets of brake pads in 25K !!
The alfa is the best car I have used on this road. The handling is perfect.
Do you think I should move home ??!!
!thatsit!

[Velissarios]

Hello,

Those are conditions for driving such a machine !!

Man you are lucky !! :-}

The company must make a commercial out of your driving.

I had to drive 300km away from my home in order to see more than 180km/h. Normally my average speed is 35km/h due to the traffic!!!

I have a 145 1.6TS with sport pack 2, but to tell you the truth, I miss my lowered "snake" 33 with the only 1.2 engine and the single cam. 68hp only, but 800kg and the petal to the metal (and I mean that) every time with any road conditions. 8 years with that car and I can easy count everyone who overtake me in mountain roads. If you live in Scotland you propably know about turns.

best regards from Greece

[alfistagj]

@ BOWF
Don't move home!
I think there is hardly another place on earth you will be able to drive the way you can.
Never mind the tyres/brakepads.
Just think about the enjoyment you get from those few pounds.......
But....... it may be hard on the gearbos, but like Joachim mentions, the engine mounts may be the cause (much less expensive than a gearbox rebuild)

[bowf]

Thanks for all your input guys, but I think it's bad news. The dealer thinks that the gearbox is definitely the problem. Second gear especially needs some attention. Too much freeplay in the transmission somewhere.
The dealer is a very sports driving person so I spoke to him about my driving. He thinks that the very fast and twisty roads I use may put very bad loads into the gearbox. He thinks that engine braking from 7000rpm every morning and night is not good....he thinks that the ' reverse loads ' are the problem.
However, I am getting everything done under the 3 year guarantee so it will not cost me anything !
He did not tell me to slow down. He thinks Alfa's are designed to be driven fast !

[alfistagj]

That's a dealer............