alfa 147 rattle on cold start

Hi,

I have a 2003 147 2.0 T.Spark manual which has covered 7k miles. I have
recently noticed that when I start it up from cold I get a
rattling/tapping noise from the engine. This normally goes away once the
engine has warmed up. Anyone had any experience of this who could shed
some light on what it might be and how serious?

This sounds similar to the variator problem that was apparent on older
Twin Spark engines, but I thought that was fixed on the later models.

In addition to this I have been experiencing problems with the steering
wheel radio buttons, I find that when I press the 'up' button to jump to
the next station/track, the action performed is the same as pressing the
'src' button, so it jumps to the next band or switches source. Any info
on this would be appreciated too.

Thanks in advance

rk

How long does it take for the rattle to go away?


"rk" > schreef in bericht
...
> Hi,
>
> I have a 2003 147 2.0 T.Spark manual which has covered 7k miles. I have
> recently noticed that when I start it up from cold I get a
> rattling/tapping noise from the engine. This normally goes away once the
> engine has warmed up. Anyone had any experience of this who could shed
> some light on what it might be and how serious?
>
> This sounds similar to the variator problem that was apparent on older
> Twin Spark engines, but I thought that was fixed on the later models.
>
> In addition to this I have been experiencing problems with the steering
> wheel radio buttons, I find that when I press the 'up' button to jump to
> the next station/track, the action performed is the same as pressing the
> 'src' button, so it jumps to the next band or switches source. Any info on
> this would be appreciated too.
>
> Thanks in advance
>
> rk

Approx 5 mins or so.

Alfistagj wrote:
> How long does it take for the rattle to go away?
>
>
> "rk" > schreef in bericht
> ...
>
>>Hi,
>>
>>I have a 2003 147 2.0 T.Spark manual which has covered 7k miles. I have
>>recently noticed that when I start it up from cold I get a
>>rattling/tapping noise from the engine. This normally goes away once the
>>engine has warmed up. Anyone had any experience of this who could shed
>>some light on what it might be and how serious?
>>
>>This sounds similar to the variator problem that was apparent on older
>>Twin Spark engines, but I thought that was fixed on the later models.
>>
>>In addition to this I have been experiencing problems with the steering
>>wheel radio buttons, I find that when I press the 'up' button to jump to
>>the next station/track, the action performed is the same as pressing the
>>'src' button, so it jumps to the next band or switches source. Any info on
>>this would be appreciated too.
>>
>>Thanks in advance
>>
>>rk
>
>
>

Are you sure you have enough engine oil in the sump??
--
Ciao from Holland
AlfistaGJ (Gert-Jan)
Alfa red 156 SW 1.8 Madeno tuned (2000) (soon: GT 2.0JTS)
Golden Montreal 1428700 (1973/4)


"rk" > schreef in bericht
...
> Approx 5 mins or so.
>
> Alfistagj wrote:
>> How long does it take for the rattle to go away?
>>
>>
>> "rk" > schreef in bericht
>> ...
>>
>>>Hi,
>>>
>>>I have a 2003 147 2.0 T.Spark manual which has covered 7k miles. I have
>>>recently noticed that when I start it up from cold I get a
>>>rattling/tapping noise from the engine. This normally goes away once the
>>>engine has warmed up. Anyone had any experience of this who could shed
>>>some light on what it might be and how serious?
>>>
>>>This sounds similar to the variator problem that was apparent on older
>>>Twin Spark engines, but I thought that was fixed on the later models.
>>>
>>>In addition to this I have been experiencing problems with the steering
>>>wheel radio buttons, I find that when I press the 'up' button to jump to
>>>the next station/track, the action performed is the same as pressing the
>>>'src' button, so it jumps to the next band or switches source. Any info
>>>on this would be appreciated too.
>>>
>>>Thanks in advance
>>>
>>>rk
>>
>>

Yes, I check the oil weekly and the level has always been just a tiny
amount below MAX.


Alfistagj wrote:
> Are you sure you have enough engine oil in the sump??

Then it isn't the hydralic tappets.
Sounds like the variator, but not very likely anymore since Alfa solved this
problem already a few years ago and you do not really have a lot of miles,
so "wear" is unlikely too.
An occasional defect is always possible.
I suggest to check with your dealer and claim guarantee if it's the
variator.
--
Ciao from Holland
AlfistaGJ (Gert-Jan)
Alfa red 156 SW 1.8 Madeno tuned (2000) (soon: GT 2.0JTS)
Golden Montreal 1428700 (1973/4)

"rk" > schreef in bericht
...
> Yes, I check the oil weekly and the level has always been just a tiny
> amount below MAX.
>
>
> Alfistagj wrote:
>> Are you sure you have enough engine oil in the sump??