Forums Forums Mi_Craig/AlfaCraig - Alfa Romeo 146

Cleaning only involves spraying the hot wire with a solvent based cleaner - brake / carb cleaner.

Its a common fault on the Nissans and Ive never heard of anyone breaking a MAF cleaning it this way.

My Sisters BF even used hot soapy water to clean the one on his Scooby once - I wouldnt recommend that though

The Alfa website seems to have loads of people taking them off, and then taking them apart to clean them, which is where I think a lot of the breakages happen.

I suppose I can give it a shot today. If it breaks, its not a big deal, as the car just runs off the default setting on the ECU = ROCKET Mwuhahahahaha

C'mon, use your eternally long student holidays to get it done

Done.... Most annoying clips holding the damn thing on as well.

Car Pulls like a train, and sits perfectly at idle at 1,000rpm..
See how long that lasts though Cant blame me Stuy, Im a lazy student. When it comes to other peoples cars, things ar done doubley quick, but with mine, just cant be bothered

Only thing is, now when I put it in reverse, and accelerate, when you put the clutch in, the engine starts hunting

PAH, backwards aint as important as forwards - as long as its sorted?

The AFM may need a little time to settle back down - or try disconnecting the ECU. Over time they can slightly retune themselves to suit minor changes to sensors on the engine. Sometimes leaving the ECU over night can do it, or sometimes they need to be left disconnected for a bit to discharge any capacitors on the boards...

It started hunting at idle before, embarassing trying to go through maccies as the cars revving itself.

Ive heard a rumour that any changes you do to the engine, Im meant to :

Turn the Key for 90 seconds
Switch Off For 90 Seconds
Let it idle for 90 seconds

The perform an Italian Tune up aka Take it for a drive and use the entire rev range.
Then it should settle

Idle speed valve or a minor AIR leak can cause to

As Robbo says - prolly the Idle control valve or air leak

Try removing the Idle valve and soaking it / cleaning it with petrol and see if it makes a difference

Bad News...

Travelling this morning to the Alfa Romeo meet in Liverpool.... I suddenly lost all power, temperature gauge shot up to 130 celsius, and my injector light switched on.


I dropped to 50mph, but then suddenly smoked started pouring out from the bonnet, so had to pull onto hard shoulder. Coolant then decided to just empty itself onto the road.


RAC came, and reckoned its either the head gasket, or a cracked cylinder head

Bad times

ooooo bad news mate

hope its not too bad

...most common cause of this is seized thermostat...but worth checking water pump,blocked pipes etc.

Im going to enquire about repair tomorrow.... more info then

the joys of alfa ownership eh?

In a way yeah.

Of all the cars Ive driven, Ive never been in one that actually wants to be driven. Cornering is superb, and it puts a smile on my face every time Im in it. I honestly dont think I can ever drive another marque of car.. because theyll be substandard. I think Im willing to give up reliability if this is what theyre all like.


Sounds cheesy, but I cant park up and walk away without looking back

Forgot to say, had a mate from uni before... practically begging me to sell it, cut my losses and buy an Escort