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KNOWN FAULTS · Alfa Romeo

Known faults for the Alfa Romeo 145 / 146.

2000–2001 · Petrol / Diesel

Sources are not verified in real time and no entry confirms that your car is affected.

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2 known faults with sources

Engines: 1.4 / 1.6 / 1.8 / 2.0 TS (Petrol)

Applies if: 145/146 after 1997 with the 2.0 Twin Spark 16V engine and matching noise; published workshop diagnosis, not a recall or a quantified incidence. Do not extrapolate to other engines without checking.

Twin Spark cam variator rattleTiming system
Engine / equipment
Only the configurations, markets and VINs specified in each association.
Period mentioned
Specific production period stated in the condition and evidence.
Symptoms
Diesel-like rattle on cold startup.
Possible cause described
The garage identifies the variator as a possible noise source; persistent warm noise requires checking bearings.
Check for the garage
Verify engine, oil and cold/warm noise; confirm source before replacing the variator during timing belt work.
Cost cited in the source
No verified estimate. Confirm repair eligibility and terms by VIN.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Sources from the original database

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Engines: 1.9 JTD (Diesel)

1.9/2.4 JTD intake flaps, EGR and flywheelIntake / EGR / flywheel
Engine / equipment
1.9 JTD / Multijet (8 and 16 valves), 2.4 JTD and JTDm in Fiat, Alfa Romeo 147, 156, 159, GT and Brera, Lancia and the Opel 1.9 CDTI
Period mentioned
1997–2012
Symptoms
Power loss, rough idle and an engine light with “swirl actuator malfunction”; soot around the intake manifold; vibration and knocks in low gears (dual-mass flywheel).
Possible cause described
On the 16-valve 1.9 and 20-valve 2.4, the intake flaps seize with EGR soot and oil, and the control rod comes off as its plastic bushes wear. The EGR fouls in town use and the dual-mass flywheel wears between 80,000 and 150,000 km. The 8-valve 1.9 has no flaps.
Check for the garage
Check the rod and flap operation on top of the manifold, read actuator codes, inspect the EGR and listen to the flywheel when starting and stopping.
Cost cited in the source
Intake manifold: €400–900 in parts; EGR cleaning: €150–250A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Mileage cited in the database: 80,000–150,000 km. This is not a maintenance interval and does not predict a failure.

Sources from the original database

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Engines for this model