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Recently my alfa 147 2.0 selespeed has started running like a dog and as its an alfa my usual garages wont touch it tuning wise my other alfa specialist is in st helens which is a a logistical nightmare
Ive changed plugs , filters ,checked sensors etc etc but its running foul and guzzling the petrol can anyone recommend a decent tuner who is cheap

Is the timing correct? I heard these engines don't like belts.

I will probably get belts done at same time as tune ,hopefully it is something that simple and cheap

Mike, I've sent you a few pm's asking for contact details on Peugeot....

Hi TheDr Ive replied sorry for the delay

It arrived just as I posted this, no worries, I've passed your details on so hopefully he'll give you a call soon.

Check the MAF, its a known Alfa/Bosch issue, I had a 156 V6 for two years, put three MAF's on it... Not my last Alfa, but certainly the last time I have one as my only car!

i disconnected the maf and it still ran bad

Well - it will do, it needs that to meter the air mass being drawn into the engine, from that mass it then calculates the base fuel needed. If it made no difference at all with the MAF off, its likely the MAF.

If the MAF is voltage based (a hot-wire MAF) then you can check its output, probably be around 0.9 to 1.2 V at idle, if its anything further out than this, its likely goonered.

However - the Germans (who made all the engine electrics for the 147 - Bosch) are quite clever sorts, so I suspect the MAF is more likely a Karman-Vortex sensor, which outputs a frequency, in which case you'll need an OBD reader to see the air mass reading.

Failing that again, another possibility is the IAT (Inlet Air Temperature) sensor, this "might" be built into the MAF, again an OBD reader needed for that one - it corrects base fuelling against air temperature (as airs density changes with temperature).

And finally, the only other sensor that has a say on base fuel quantity (and its the biggest say of them all) is the ECT (Engine Coolant Temperature), once again, sad to say - its an OBD reader job.

pm ill throw it on my diagnostics machine and view live data. best bet to catch a dodgy sensor/ iffy timing.

As a side note - if you have an Alfa as a daily driver, invest in this -> http://www.alfadiag.net/

If you buy the software, I have the correct OBD cable you need, which you can borrow if needs be.

Exhaust Gas Recirculation valve (EGR) is also a favourite. On some cars you can disconnect the vacuum tube, block of the inlet end and open the oil cap to effectively remove the EGR system as a quick check at idle.

The other things to look out for are air leaks (even very small) in the inlet system from the MAF onwards. Blocked EGR recirculation vacuum pipes, especially if they have a limiting jet in the pipe or at the ends.

Then there is fuel pump, injectors etc etc. What were the plugs like, any look different from the others?

From your description it sounds like its rough all the time, or is it just at idle?

Chris Gilly will do an OBD check for you and advise - he must be really ill today to have not jumped in by now.

I have got the cable and software unidiag i tried before the snow and was baffled im trying to teach myself how to use it had a good read of instructions tonight
i will run a diagnostic tommorow

If I come down with Lukasz tomorrow I'll bring the Solus with me and see if it can read anything.

Be aware that being a Selespeed car, there will be a number of proprietary fault codes (DTC's we call 'em) that aren't in ANY diagnostic tool, except for the genuine Fiat Examiner (the official tool used by Fiat/Alfa). So hopefully your fault is in something generic.

While something like a Sun Modus will talk to every car in basic scan-tool mode, only the proper manufacturer tool can do things like set up the selespeed position sensors and solenoids. This I think has to be done if the engine ECU is replaced.