Alfa Romeo2009–2010

147 1.6 LPG: Common faults & known problems

Common faults & known problems

20 known faults documented in workshop bulletins. Of these, six concern the engine and fuel system and three the electrical and ignition. Symptoms, causes, repair steps and part numbers are shown where supplied.

Engine & fuel system

6 documented faults — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.

Engine overheating

Overview

Affects
All models.
Remedy
Adjust & tighten

Symptoms

Coolant leak from cylinder head gasket.

Cause

Cylinder head bolts too long.

Cylinder head gasket not sealing when specified torque reached.

Repair steps

  1. Ensure engine is cold.
  2. Remove oil in cylinder head.
  3. Remove and replace cylinder head bolts one at a time in order shown.
  4. Tighten new bolts to 40 Nm + 90 ° + 90 ° + 90 °.

Parts

Parts listed in the bulletin
PartPart numberQty
Bolt6067795810

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 1.

Engine misfire

Water/oil ingress into spark plug orifice. Fix: clean and lubricate.

Overview

Affects
All models.
Remedy
Clean & lubricate

Symptoms

Engine malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) illuminated. Poor cold starting. Poor engine running.

Repair steps

  1. Clean ignition coil and spark plug orifice.
  2. Check spark plugs for insulator damage or arcing.
  3. Check cylinder head cover for leaks.

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 5.

Idle speed surges

Throttle valve not closing correctly due to build up of deposits in throttle body. Fix: clean and lubricate.

Overview

Affects
All models.
Remedy
Clean & lubricate

Symptoms

Engine jerking. Poor throttle response.

Repair steps

  1. Remove throttle body intake pipe.
  2. Clean deposits from inner wall.
  3. Actuate throttle valve manually 3 to 5 times.
  4. Inspect throttle body for any remaining contamination.
  5. If necessary clean again.
  6. Fit throttle body intake pipe.
  7. Check idle speed.

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 9.

Engine malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) illuminated

Affects All models with petrol engines.P0325P1325

Symptoms

Trouble codes stored: P0325, P1325.

Cause

Knock sensor (KS) fault.

Repair

  1. Check wiring connector and resistance of KS. Replace parts as necessary.

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 15.

Rattling noise from top of engine for several seconds when starting after the vehicle has stood for long periods

Overview

Affects
All models with 1.6/1.8/2.0 petrol engines.
Remedy
Fit modified part
Parts
4 parts

Cause

Camshaft position (CMP) actuator drains after standing for long period.

Oil non-return valve not included at manufacture.

Repair

  1. Engine No. →3575550. Remove cylinder head. Fit non-return valve to oil gallery of camshaft position (CMP) actuator. Refit cylinder head. Fit modified camshaft position (CMP) actuator. Fit new cylinder head cover gasket.
  2. Engine No. 3575550→. Fit modified camshaft position (CMP) actuator. Fit new cylinder head cover gasket.
Parts4 parts
Parts listed in the bulletin
PartPart numberQty
Camshaft position (CMP) actuator717383601
Non-return valve606778991
Cylinder head cover gasket (JTS)606694921
Cylinder head cover gasket (Twin spark)606555921

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 20.

Electrical & ignition

3 documented faults — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.

Condensation in front indicator lamps

Affects VIN 3235929-5141453.

Cause

Bulb holder's seal missing.

Repair

  1. Replace bulb holder as necessary.
Parts1 part
Parts listed in the bulletin
PartPart numberQty
Bulb holder505009651

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 7.

Rear fog lamp failure warning lamp illuminated

Overview

Affects
All models.
Remedy
Fit modified part
Parts
2 parts

Cause

Rear fog lamp bulb holder faulty.

Repair

  1. Remove rear fog lamp.
  2. Fit modified rear fog lamp.
Parts2 parts
Parts listed in the bulletin
PartPart numberQty
Rear fog lamp46747826RHD
Rear fog lamp46556346LHD

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 12.

Airbag warning lamp illuminates permanently or intermittently

Poor connection of side airbag harness multi-plug under front seats. Fix: fit a modified part.

Overview

Affects
All models with side airbags, VIN →5234543.
Remedy
Fit modified part

Repair steps

  1. Locate orange side airbag harness multi-plug under front seats.
  2. Cut wires 10 mm both sides of harness multi-plug. Only cut one wire at a time.
  3. Fit modified harness multi-plug by soldering wires together and insulate using heatshrink sleeves.
  4. Secure harness multi-plug to underside of seat using multi-plug mounting bracket and cable tie.

Parts

Parts listed in the bulletin
PartPart numberQty
Harness multi-plug kit505074021
Multi-plug mounting bracket - LH517908831
Multi-plug mounting bracket - RH517908841

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 19.

Brakes

2 documented faults — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.

Squeaking noise from rear brakes

Affects All models.

Cause

Handbrake cable sticking due to internal damage/corrosion.

Repair

  1. Replace both handbrake cables.

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 6.

Premature operation of electronic stability program (ESP)

Overview

Affects
All models: VIN 3327094-3354034. VIN 5213889-5234805.
Remedy
Fit new part
Parts
1 part

Cause

ABS/ESP control module software fault.

Repair

  1. Carry out electrical, mechanical and component tests (as applicable) to eliminate any other possible cause(s).
  2. If no fault(s) found: Fit new ABS/ESP control module.
Parts1 part
Parts listed in the bulletin
PartPart numberQty
ABS/ESP control module717477791

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 17.

Suspension & drivetrain

3 documented faults — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.

Knocking/squeaking noise from rear suspension over uneven surfaces

Affects All models.

Cause

Rear trailing arm hub assembly bushes.

Repair

  1. Replace both rear trailing arm hub assembly bushes.

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 10.

Knocking noise from front suspension over uneven surfaces

Affects All models.Fit modified part

Cause

Excessive play between front inner anti-roll bar bushes and bush clamps.

Repair

  1. Fit modified front anti-roll bar.

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 11.

Knocking/squeaking noise from rear suspension over uneven surfaces

Rear suspension lower arm bushes worn. Fix: fit a new part.

Overview

Affects
All models.
Remedy
Fit new part

Repair steps

  1. Mark position of rear suspension lower arm inner bolt.
  2. Fit new rear suspension lower arms.
  3. Realign marks and check rear wheel alignment.

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 14.

Clutch & gearbox

1 documented fault — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.

Gear lever does not self-centre

Gear selection mechanism seized. Fix: clean and lubricate.

Overview

Affects
1.6/2.0 with 5-speed gearbox.
Remedy
Clean & lubricate

Repair steps

  1. Remove gear selection mechanism from gearbox.
  2. Clean corrosion from gear selection mechanism.
  3. Renew and lubricate gear selection mechanism bushes.

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 4.

Air conditioning & heating

1 documented fault — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.

Air conditioning (AC)/heater flap motors do not relate to AC control settings

Affects All models with manual temperature control.B1801

Symptoms

AC/heater function control panel symbols not illuminated. Trouble code stored: B1801 (AC/heater air mix flap motor, malfunction).

Cause

Failure of AC/heater function control panel symbol bulbs.

Repair

  1. Replace all bulbs in AC/heater function control panel.
Parts1 part
Parts listed in the bulletin
PartPart numberQty
Bulb717479703

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 18.

Body & trim

1 documented fault — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.

Bonnet not opening or closing correctly

Affects All models.Clean & lubricate

Cause

Bonnet catch seized.

Repair

  1. Clean and lubricate bonnet catch.

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 2.

Wipers & visibility

1 documented fault — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.

Noise from lower windscreen area

Overview

Affects
All models.
Remedy
Clean & lubricate

Cause

Dry contact surfaces on front suspension upper arm bushes.

Front suspension upper arm bushes worn.

Repair

  1. Check front suspension upper arm bushes for excessive play.
  2. Replace or lubricate front suspension upper arm bushes as necessary.

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 3.

Other

2 documented faults — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.

Metallic noise from fascia over uneven road

Affects All models, →02/05.

Symptoms

Rattling noise from audio unit area.

Cause

Excessive clearance between audio unit and surrounding.

Repair

  1. Apply felt tape to audio unit.

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 13.

The message "ODO" flashes in the trip meter display

Overview

Affects
All models.

Cause

Loss of communication between control modules.

Repair

  1. Reset multifunction control module.
  2. Diagnostic equipment required.

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 16.

Glossary

Technical terms used in this guide.

MIL
Malfunction indicator lamp — the engine warning light on the dashboard
ECM
Engine control module — the electronic unit that manages the engine
VIN
Vehicle identification number — 17 characters, found at the base of the windscreen and on the V5C logbook
Nm
Newton-metres — the standard unit for how tightly a bolt is done up
Trouble Codes
Standardised fault codes stored by the engine control module, read with a diagnostic tool
ABS/ESP
Anti-lock braking and electronic stability programme — the system that stops the wheels locking and keeps the vehicle stable
CKP
Crankshaft position sensor — tells the engine control module where the crankshaft is in its rotation
CMP
Camshaft position — a sensor that tells the engine control module where the camshaft is
KS
Knock sensor — listens for engine knock so the engine control module can retard the timing
AC/Heater
The heating and air-conditioning system
Actuator
A motor or solenoid that moves a mechanical part on command
Anti-Roll Bar
A bar that links the left and right suspension to cut body roll in corners
Control Module
A control unit for one of the vehicle's systems (engine, gearbox, brakes, body, and so on)
Crankshaft Position
Where the crankshaft is in its rotation — used for ignition and injection timing
Fault Memory
The list of stored trouble codes in a control module
Multi-Plug
A multi-pin electrical connector on a wiring harness
Multifunction Control Module
The control module that runs shared electrical functions (lights, wipers, locking, and so on)
Trouble Code
A standardised fault code stored by a control module, read with a diagnostic tool
Bush
A rubber mounting that lets a suspension or body joint move without metal-to-metal contact
Bushes
Rubber mountings that let a suspension or body joint move without metal-to-metal contact
Head Gasket
The seal between the cylinder head and the engine block
Lower Arm
A suspension link that locates the wheel at the bottom of the hub

Frequently asked questions

What are the common faults with the Alfa Romeo 147 1.6 LPG?

This guide contains 20 workshop bulletins for the Alfa Romeo 147 1.6 LPG. Of these, six concern the engine and fuel system and three the electrical and ignition. Symptoms, causes, repair steps and part numbers are shown where supplied.

Does every Alfa Romeo 147 1.6 LPG have these faults?

No. These are patterns documented across the model by workshops, not predictions for an individual vehicle. Where a fault applies only to certain vehicles or VIN ranges, that is listed with the fault.

Can I check for Alfa Romeo 147 1.6 LPG faults myself?

Many of them. The documented symptoms can be seen, heard or felt during a test drive.

Related guides

Glossary term

See in the glossary →