Alfa Romeo1995–2001Technical specifications

Spider 3.0: Technical specifications

Workshop data for the 3-litre petrol (engine code 161.01). Covers engine, fluids, brakes, service, torques and air conditioning: the figures to check before a job or a parts order.

Common faults & fixes

Summary

Match the engine code (161.01) to the vehicle before ordering parts or applying these figures.

Vehicle specifications

Overview

Make: Alfa Romeo
Model: Spider
Years: 1995–2001
Fuel: Petrol
Engine code: 161.01

Performance & efficiency

Power: 141 kW (192 hp)
Engine size: 2,959 cc
Cylinders: 6 · DOHC
Compression ratio: 10:1
Fuel system: Bosch

Fluids & capacities

Engine oil (with the filter): 6.0 litres

All 118 specifications below

Engine & identification

Vehicle identification

No. of cylinders Type	6/DOHC
Capacity (Fiscal) cc	2959
Compression ratio :1	10
Suitable for unleaded petrol	Yes
Minimum octane rating RON	95
Ignition system Make	Bosch
Ignition system Type	Motronic M1.7
Ignition system Description	Map-DI
Trigger location	Cam/Crankshaft
Fuel system Make	Bosch
Fuel system Type	Motronic M1.7
Fuel system Description	MFI-s
Air metering Type	Mass
Combined ignition and fuel ECM	Yes
Diagnostic socket	Yes

Ignition system

Ignition coil Type	Bosch
Ignition coil supply voltage + with ballast V	12,0
Primary resistance Ohm	0,5
Secondary resistance Ohm	13300
Distributor (ECM) Make	Bosch

Firing order

The firing order for the Alfa Romeo Spider 3.0 (1995–2001) is 1-4-2-5-3-6.

Firing order	1-4-2-5-3-6

Valve clearances

Valve clearances for the Alfa Romeo Spider 3.0 (1995–2001) are 0,48-0,50 mm inlet and 0,23-0,25 mm exhaust, measured cold.

Valve clearance - INLET mm	0,48-0,50 cold
Valve clearance - EXHAUST mm	0,23-0,25 cold

Engine oil & fluids

Engine oil

The Alfa Romeo Spider 3.0 (1995–2001) takes 6.0 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.

See the reference table for the complete manual gearbox entries and their conditions.

Coolant

The listed total cooling-system capacity is 11.7 litres.

Grades, filling conditions and capacities

Lubricants and capacities — complete reference
Engine oil options
Ambient temperature range	All temperatures
Engine oil grade SAE	5W-30 Synthetic
Engine oil classification API/ACEA	SJ/A3
Ambient temperature range	-20°C➞
Engine oil grade SAE	10W-40 Synthetic
Engine oil classification API/ACEA	SJ/A3
Ambient temperature range	All temperatures
Engine oil grade SAE	10W-60 Synthetic
Engine oil classification API/ACEA	SJ/A3
Engine with filter(s) litres	6.0
Other lubricants and capacities
Manual transmission oil grade SAE	75W-85 Synthetic
Manual transmission oil classification	GL-4+
Manual transmission litres	2.0
Cooling system - total capacity litres	11.7
Brake fluid Type	DOT 4
Brake fluid litres	0.4
Power steering fluid Type	Dexron II
Power steering fluid litres	1.3

Brakes & wear limits

Brake disc thickness

Brake discs on the Alfa Romeo Spider 3.0 (1995–2001) are replaced at a minimum thickness of 20,2 mm (ventilated) front and 9,2 mm rear.

Minimum disc thickness for replacement - ventilated Front	20,2 mm
Minimum disc thickness for replacement Rear	9,2 mm

Brake disc and drum dimensions

Disc runout Front	0,15 mm
Disc runout Rear	0,15 mm
Minimum pad thickness Front	1,5 mm
Minimum pad thickness Rear	0,5 mm

Service & electrical

Ignition timing

The ignition timing on the Alfa Romeo Spider 3.0 (1995–2001) is not adjustable.

Ignition timing - basic BTDC °Engine/rpm	Not adjustable

Battery

The Alfa Romeo Spider 3.0 (1995–2001) uses a 12 V, 70 Ah battery (reserve capacity 110 minutes).

Battery V/RC(Ah)	12/110 (70)

Spark plugs

The Alfa Romeo Spider 3.0 (1995–2001) uses Autolite APP62 spark plugs with a 0,7 mm electrode gap.

Spark plugs Original equipment	Lodge
Spark plug Type	25HL
Electrode gap mm	0,3-0,4
Spark plugs Make	Autolite
Spark plug Type	APP62
Electrode gap mm	0,7
Spark plugs Make	Beru
Spark plug Type	UXF56
Spark plugs Make	Bosch
Spark plug Type	FR5DP1
Electrode gap mm	0,7
Spark plugs Make	Champion
Spark plug Type	RN7YCC
Electrode gap mm	0,8
Spark plugs Make	NGK
Spark plug Type	BPR6ES
Electrode gap mm	0,7

Tuning and emissions

Ignition advance checks °Engine/rpm	ECM Controlled
Idle speed rpm	720±50 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

Maximum cranking amps A	189-231
Alternator output A/V/rpm	90/14/3000

Service checks and adjustments

Oil pressure bar/rpm	4,5/4000
Thermostat opens °C	87

Fuel system

System pressure bar	2,8-3,2
Regulated pressure with vacuum bar	2,3-2,7

Tightening torques

Cylinder head bolt torque

The cylinder head bolts on the Alfa Romeo Spider 3.0 (1995–2001) are tightened in 2 stages: 25 Nm, then a final 240°.

Cylinder head
Renew bolts	No
Tighten	25 Nm
Tighten	240°

Other engine tightening torques
Cylinder head instructions	—
Main bearings Renew bolts/nuts	No
Main bearings Stage 1	45 Nm
Main bearings Stage 2	84-93 Nm
Big end bearings Renew bolts/nuts	No
Big end bearings Stage 1	25 Nm
Big end bearings Stage 2	53-59 Nm
Sump bolts	13-16 Nm
Sump drain bolt	64-79 Nm
Flywheel/driveplate	138-144 Nm
Clutch pressure plate	20-25 Nm
Crankshaft pulley/damper centre bolt	200-247 Nm
Camshaft carrier/cap	16-18 Nm
Camshaft/rocker cover	10-13 Nm
Exhaust manifold to cylinder head	22-27 Nm
Spark plugs	25-35 Nm
Chassis tightening torques
Front hub	—
Front hub
Rear hub	266-294 Nm
Steering track rod end	29-36 Nm
Brake disc to hub Front	5-13 Nm
Brake caliper to carrier Front	26 Nm
Brake caliper/carrier to hub Front	95 Nm
Brake disc to hub Rear	5-13 Nm
Brake caliper to carrier Rear	35 Nm
Brake caliper/carrier to hub Rear	47 Nm
Road wheels	83-103 Nm

Air conditioning

Refrigerant quantity
No. of AC service connectors	2
Air conditioning restrictor type	Expansion valve
Compressor clutch/magnetic coupling	Yes
Compressor variable displacement solenoid	No
Air conditioning refrigerant Type	R134a
Air conditioning refrigerant quantity grams	—
Air conditioning oil group	PAG
Air conditioning oil Type	SP10
Air conditioning oil quantity cm³	240±15
Air conditioning oil viscosity ISO	46

Frequently asked questions

What is the firing order of the Alfa Romeo Spider 3.0?

The firing order for the Alfa Romeo Spider 3.0 (1995–2001) is 1-4-2-5-3-6.

What spark plugs does the Alfa Romeo Spider 3.0 use?

The Alfa Romeo Spider 3.0 (1995–2001) uses Autolite APP62 spark plugs with a 0,7 mm electrode gap.

How much oil does the Alfa Romeo Spider 3.0 take?

The Alfa Romeo Spider 3.0 (1995–2001) takes 6.0 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 Spider 3.0?

Valve clearances for the Alfa Romeo Spider 3.0 (1995–2001) are 0,48-0,50 mm inlet and 0,23-0,25 mm exhaust, measured cold.

What is the cylinder head torque for the Alfa Romeo Spider 3.0?

The cylinder head bolts on the Alfa Romeo Spider 3.0 (1995–2001) are tightened in 2 stages: 25 Nm, then a final 240°.

What is the ignition timing for the Alfa Romeo Spider 3.0?

The ignition timing on the Alfa Romeo Spider 3.0 (1995–2001) is not adjustable.