Alfa Romeo 147: common faults & what to check

Which Alfa Romeo 147 are you looking at?

4 generation variants documented. Pick the shape you recognise: the faults, the servicing and the timeline below all narrow to it. Free, no account needed.

Petrol

3 variants documented

2000–20109372000–20109371.6 TS petrolPetrolDocumented issues2 knownSee faults & what to checkPhoto: Cutlass via Wikimedia Commons, CC0.

2000–20109372000–20109372.0 TS petrolPetrolDocumented issues3 knownSee faults & what to checkPhoto: Cutlass via Wikimedia Commons, CC0.

2000–20109372000–20109373.2 V6 petrol (GTA)PetrolDocumented issues2 knownSee faults & what to checkPhoto: Cutlass via Wikimedia Commons, CC0.

Diesel

1 variant documented

2000–20109372000–20109371.9 JTD dieselDieselDocumented issues3 knownSee faults & what to checkPhoto: Cutlass via Wikimedia Commons, CC0.

Now narrow it to the engine

A 1.8 and a 2.4 of the same car do not fail the same way, so the faults below narrow to the engine as well as the year. Free, no account needed.

Start your free check on this Alfa Romeo 147

No plate needed. You get the risk score, the buyer's checklist and the guided inspection for the exact car you picked above — not the whole nameplate.

The checks worth doing on a Alfa Romeo 147 before you hand over any money. Every documented fault is listed below, each with its own page.

• Serious issue

  Run the engine to full operating temperature and check for steam or white smoke from exhaust.

  See why

  Twin Spark Head Gasket Failure Cylinders 2-3 and 3-4

  The 1.6 and 2.0 Twin Spark engines in the 147 suffer a documented pattern of head gasket failure specifically between cylinders 2 and 3, and between cylinders 3 and 4. The aluminium cylinder head expands at a different rate from the cast-iron block under thermal cycling, causing the multi-layer steel head gasket to fail at the fire ring land between adjacent cylinder bores. Contributing factors include the engine's tendency to overheat when the cooling system is neglected, and factory torque-to-yield head bolts that cannot be re-used after removal, making an improperly performed head gasket repair prone to repeat failure. Coolant loss, combustion gas contamination of the coolant, and cross-contamination between cylinder bores are typical outcomes.

  What you would notice

  • Coolant loss with no visible external leak from hoses or radiator
  • White steam from exhaust especially on startup from cold
  • Milky creamy deposits on dipstick or oil filler cap indicating coolant mixing with oil
  • Temperature gauge creeping toward the hot zone
  • Misfire on cylinders 2, 3 or 4 after engine reaches operating temperature
  • Bubbles visible in coolant reservoir with engine at operating temperature

  Typically $2,000–$4,500 to put right.

• Serious issue

  Confirm first whether the car is a Selespeed or a true manual, as it changes the risk and the value.

  See why

  Selespeed automated-manual clutch, actuator and hydraulic pump failure

  Many 147 'automatics' are actually Selespeed - a robotised manual with an electro-hydraulic actuator, pump and pressure accumulator. It is one of the most common owner complaints: the hydraulic power unit (pump) fails, the clutch and clutch actuators wear out (actuators often only last 80,000-100,000 km, the clutch sometimes from 60,000 km), and the array of position/pressure sensors throw 'gearbox error' messages. Symptoms are jerky or delayed changes, refusal to select a gear, and limp mode. Parts and specialist labour are expensive relative to the car's value, so a failing Selespeed can economically write off a cheap 147. Genuine manual cars avoid the problem entirely.

  What you would notice

  • Jerky, slow or delayed gear changes
  • 'Gearbox error' or transmission warning message on the display
  • Refusal to engage a gear or select reverse
  • Car stuck in one gear or limp mode
  • Whine or buzzing from the hydraulic pump running frequently

  Typically $1,200–$4,000 to put right.

• Serious issue

  Any movement indicates worn ball joint or wheel bearing.

  See why

  Front Wishbone Rubber Ball Joint Deterioration

  The front lower wishbone on the 147 uses a pressed-in rubber boot ball joint rather than a greaseable metal ball joint, and this joint degrades from UV exposure, road contamination, and the constant high lateral loading of the 147's sporty front suspension geometry. The rubber boot cracks allowing grit ingress to the ball joint taper, which rapidly wears the interference fit and allows the joint to become loose. A failed ball joint allows uncontrolled camber and toe change under braking and cornering and in extreme cases can separate completely, causing sudden catastrophic loss of steering control. The 147's performance suspension geometry places higher loading on these joints than a conventional family car would experience.

  What you would notice

  • Clunking from front suspension over bumps or during steering inputs
  • Vague or wandering steering feel particularly at motorway speeds
  • Uneven tyre wear concentrated on the inside front tyre edges
  • Vehicle pulling to one side during braking
  • Clicking sound from front wheel during low-speed parking lock-to-lock turns

  Typically $350–$900 to put right.

• Serious issue

  With engine off, physically spin the tensioner pulley by hand to check for roughness, grittiness, or lateral play in the bearing.

  See why

  TS Auxiliary Belt Tensioner Bearing Failure

  The Twin Spark engine's auxiliary serpentine belt tensioner uses a spring-loaded idler pulley with a sealed bearing that fails without forewarning after high mileage. When the bearing collapses the tensioner arm drops instantly, de-tensioning the belt and throwing it from the pulleys. This causes immediate loss of alternator charge, power steering pump operation on hydraulic PS variants, and critically the water pump drive which is belt-driven on these engines. Without coolant circulation the engine overheats within minutes of the failure event, typically causing head gasket failure or a warped cylinder head as a consequential failure. The bearing gives no audible warning before it collapses.

  What you would notice

  • Sudden simultaneous illumination of battery and other warning lights
  • Sudden loss of power steering assistance
  • Rapid overheating following a belt failure event
  • Squealing from engine bay progressing to silence as belt departs
  • All dashboard warning lights illuminating simultaneously with no prior indication

  Typically $350–$900 to put right.

• Costly issue

  Insist on a genuine cold start and listen at the cam-cover end for a diesel-like rattle that fades as revs climb - a clear sign the variator is worn.

  See why

  Twin Spark cam variator (phaser) rattle and cambelt-routing belt failures

  The 1.6/2.0 Twin Spark petrol engine uses an oil-pressure inlet-cam variator (phaser) that wears and rattles - a distinctive diesel-like top-end clatter on cold idle that subsides above roughly 1700 rpm. It typically appears from around 80,000-120,000 km and worsens if oil changes are stretched. Separately, the cambelt routing has a sharp bend between the tensioner and water pump that caused early belt failures, so Alfa halved the belt interval to about 5 years/60,000 km; a snapped belt on this interference engine wrecks valves. The variator is usually replaced together with a full timing-belt kit and water pump.

  What you would notice

  • Diesel-like rattle or chatter from the top of the engine at cold idle
  • Rattle that quietens as revs rise past ~1700 rpm
  • Louder tapping when the engine is warm and oil pressure is low
  • Uneven idle or slight loss of smoothness

  Typically $600–$1,600 to put right.

• Costly issue

  Check all electric windows operate smoothly through full travel including the auto-close function.

  See why

  Body Control Module Failure and Electrical Gremlins

  The 147's Marelli Body Control Module is susceptible to failure from moisture ingress through the bulkhead grommets and from voltage spikes caused by weak battery or alternator performance. When the BCM fails or its firmware corrupts, it causes widespread random electrical failures including inoperative electric windows, erratic or non-functional central locking, spurious instrument cluster warning lights, interior lighting malfunctions, and in severe cases prevents engine starting by corrupting the immobiliser communication signal. BCM resets can temporarily restore function but the failure recurs without physical repair. Replacement BCMs require dealer-level VIN coding to the vehicle which adds to repair cost.

  What you would notice

  • Central locking operating erratically or completely non-functional
  • Electric windows stopping mid-travel or not responding to switches
  • Multiple warning lights illuminating without apparent cause
  • Instrument cluster flickering or showing false gauge readings
  • Car not starting despite confirmed charged battery
  • Remote key fob repeatedly losing synchronisation

  Typically $700–$2,000 to put right.

What these repairs cost on other cars

Some of the Alfa Romeo 147’s documented faults are repairs other models share. Each page lists the documented NZ cost for every model it affects.

• Cambelt Replacement Cost
• Diesel Injector Replacement Cost
• Head Gasket Repair Cost
• EGR Valve and Cooler Repair Cost

Other Alfa Romeo models