Engine & identification
Vehicle identification
| No. of cylinders Type | 4/DOHC |
|---|---|
| Capacity (Fiscal) cc | 1747 |
| Compression ratio :1 | 10,3 |
| Suitable for unleaded petrol | Yes |
| Minimum octane rating RON | 95 |
| Ignition system Make | Bosch |
| Ignition system Type | Motronic M1.5.5 |
| Ignition system Description | Map-DI |
| Trigger location | Cam/Crankshaft |
| Fuel system Make | Bosch |
| Fuel system Type | Motronic M1.5.5 |
| Fuel system Description | MFI-s |
| Air metering Type | Mass |
| Combined ignition and fuel ECM | Yes |
| Diagnostic socket | Yes |
Ignition system
| Ignition coil supply voltage + with ballast V | 12,0 |
|---|---|
| Primary resistance Ohm | 0,26-0,34 |
| Secondary resistance Ohm | 6160-7840 |
Firing order
The firing order for the Alfa Romeo 146 1.8 (1998–2001) is 1-3-4-2.
| Firing order | 1-3-4-2 |
|---|
Valve clearances
Valve clearances on the Alfa Romeo 146 1.8 (1998–2001) are hydraulic — they self-adjust, so no manual clearance figure applies.
| Valve clearance - INLET mm | Hydraulic |
|---|---|
| Valve clearance - EXHAUST mm | Hydraulic |
Engine oil & fluids
Engine oil
The Alfa Romeo 146 1.8 (1998–2001) takes 4.4 litres of engine oil with the filter.
See the reference table for the complete engine oil entries and their conditions.
Manual gearbox
The manual gearbox has a listed capacity of 2.0 litres. The specified oil is SAE 75W-80 synthetic, with classification GL-5.
Coolant
The listed total cooling-system capacity is 8.4 litres.
Grades, filling conditions and capacities
| Engine oil options | |
|---|---|
| Ambient temperature range | All temperatures |
| Engine oil grade SAE | 5W-30 Synthetic |
| Engine oil classification API/ACEA | SJ/A1 |
| Ambient temperature range | -20°C➞ |
| Engine oil grade SAE | 10W-40 Synthetic |
| Engine oil classification API/ACEA | SJ/A3 |
| Engine with filter(s) litres | 4.4 |
| Other lubricants and capacities | |
| Manual transmission oil grade SAE | 75W-80 Synthetic |
| Manual transmission oil classification | GL-5 |
| Manual transmission litres | 2.0 |
| Cooling system - total capacity litres | 8.4 |
| Brake fluid Type | DOT 4 |
| Brake fluid litres | 0.5 |
| Power steering fluid Type | Dexron II |
| Power steering fluid litres | 1.1-1.3 |
Brakes & wear limits
Brake disc thickness
Brake discs on the Alfa Romeo 146 1.8 (1998–2001) are replaced at a minimum thickness of 10,2 mm (solid) or 20,2 mm (ventilated) front and 9,2 mm rear.
| Minimum disc thickness for replacement - solid Front | 10,2 mm |
|---|---|
| Minimum disc thickness for replacement - ventilated Front | 20,2 mm |
| Minimum disc thickness for replacement Rear | 9,2 mm |
| Maximum drum diameter for replacement Rear | 230 mm |
Brake disc and drum dimensions
| Disc runout Front | 0,15 mm |
|---|---|
| Minimum pad thickness Front | 1,5 mm |
| Minimum pad thickness Rear | 1,5 mm |
| Parking brake travel No. of notches | 3 |
Service & electrical
Ignition timing
The ignition timing on the Alfa Romeo 146 1.8 (1998–2001) is not adjustable.
| Ignition timing - basic BTDC °Engine/rpm | Not adjustable |
|---|
Tuning and emissions
| Ignition advance checks °Engine/rpm | ECM Controlled |
|---|---|
| Idle speed rpm | 850±30 Not adjustable |
| Oil temperature °C | 60 |
| CO level at idle speed - tailpipe Vol. % CO | 0,5 Max Not adjustable |
| HC level at idle speed ppm | 100 |
| CO2 level at idle speed Vol. % CO2 | 14,5-16 |
| O2 level at idle speed Vol. % O2 | 0,1-0,5 |
| Increased idle speed for CO test rpm | 2500-2900 |
| CO content at increased idle speed Vol. % | 0,3 |
| Lambda at increased idle λ | 0,97-1,03 |
Starting and charging
| Battery V/RC(Ah) | 12/110 (50-60) |
|---|---|
| Alternator output A/V/rpm | 75/14/5000 |
Service checks and adjustments
| Oil pressure bar/rpm | 4,5/4000 |
|---|---|
| Radiator cap bar | 0,88-1,08 |
| Thermostat opens °C | 83±2 |
Fuel system
| System pressure bar | 3,3-3,7 |
|---|---|
| Regulated pressure with vacuum bar | 2,8-3,2 |
| Engine coolant temperature (ECT) sensor Ohm/°C | 300-360/80 |
| Crankshaft position (CKP) sensor/engine speed (RPM) sensor Ohm | 774-946 |
| Injector Ohm | 15,5-16,2 |
| Lambda sensor (Oxygen) heater Ohm | 8,5-9,5 |
Spark plugs
| Spark plugs Original equipment | NGK |
|---|---|
| Spark plug Type | PMR7A/PFR6B |
| Spark plugs Make | Champion |
| Spark plug Type | RG4PHP/RC6PYP |
| Spark plugs Make | NGK |
| Spark plug Type | PMR7A/PFR6B |
Tightening torques
Cylinder head bolt torque
The cylinder head bolts on the Alfa Romeo 146 1.8 (1998–2001) are tightened in 5 stages: 20 Nm, then 40 Nm, then 90°, then 90°, then a final 90°.
| Cylinder head | |
|---|---|
| Renew bolts | No |
| Tighten | 20 Nm |
| Tighten | 40 Nm |
| Tighten | 90° |
| Tighten | 90° |
| Tighten | 90° |
| Cylinder head instructions | — |
|---|---|
| Other engine tightening torques | |
| Main bearings Renew bolts/nuts | No |
| Main bearings Stage 1 | 48-60 Nm |
| Main bearings Stage 2 | 96-119 Nm |
| Big end bearings Renew bolts/nuts | No |
| Big end bearings Stage 1 | 25 Nm |
| Big end bearings Stage 2 | 60° |
| Sump bolts | — |
| Sump bolts | |
| Sump drain bolt | 17-21 Nm |
| Flywheel/driveplate | 121-149 Nm |
| Clutch pressure plate | 20-25 Nm |
| Crankshaft pulley/damper centre bolt | 340-378 Nm |
| Camshaft sprocket/gear | — |
| Camshaft sprocket/gear | |
| Camshaft carrier/cap | 13-16 Nm |
| Inlet manifold to cylinder head | 17-21 Nm |
| Exhaust manifold to cylinder head | 17-21 Nm |
| Spark plugs | — |
| Spark plugs | |
| Lambda sensor (Oxygen) | 43-53 Nm |
| Engine oil pressure switch | 25-31 Nm |
| Chassis tightening torques | |
| Front hub | — |
| View more information | — |
| Front hub | |
| Rear hub | 266-294 Nm |
| Steering track rod end | 30-37 Nm |
| Brake disc to hub Front | 5-13 Nm |
| Brake caliper to carrier Front | 35 Nm |
| Brake caliper/carrier to hub Front | 50 Nm |
| Brake caliper to carrier | |
| Brake caliper to carrier Rear | 55 Nm |
| Brake caliper/carrier to hub Rear | 22 Nm |
| Road wheels | 83-103 Nm |
Air conditioning
| No. of AC service connectors | 2 |
|---|---|
| Air conditioning restrictor type | Fixed orifice tube |
| Compressor clutch/magnetic coupling | Yes |
| Compressor variable displacement solenoid | No |
| Air conditioning refrigerant Type | R134a |
| Air conditioning refrigerant quantity grams | 700 |
| Air conditioning oil group | PAG |
| Air conditioning oil Type | Dens Oil 9 |
| Air conditioning oil quantity cm³ | 150±20 |
| Air conditioning oil viscosity ISO | 100 |
Frequently asked questions
What is the firing order of the Alfa Romeo 146 1.8?
The firing order for the Alfa Romeo 146 1.8 (1998–2001) is 1-3-4-2.
How much oil does the Alfa Romeo 146 1.8 take?
The Alfa Romeo 146 1.8 (1998–2001) takes 4.4 litres of engine oil with the filter. See the reference table for the complete engine oil entries and their conditions.
What are the valve clearances for the Alfa Romeo 146 1.8?
Valve clearances on the Alfa Romeo 146 1.8 (1998–2001) are hydraulic — they self-adjust, so no manual clearance figure applies.
What is the cylinder head torque for the Alfa Romeo 146 1.8?
The cylinder head bolts on the Alfa Romeo 146 1.8 (1998–2001) are tightened in 5 stages: 20 Nm, then 40 Nm, then 90°, then 90°, then a final 90°.
What is the ignition timing for the Alfa Romeo 146 1.8?
The ignition timing on the Alfa Romeo 146 1.8 (1998–2001) is not adjustable.
What is the minimum brake disc thickness for the Alfa Romeo 146 1.8?
Brake discs on the Alfa Romeo 146 1.8 (1998–2001) are replaced at a minimum thickness of 10,2 mm (solid) or 20,2 mm (ventilated) front and 9,2 mm rear.