Alfa Lubricant's

Third Opinion

Third Opinion

Third Opinion

Soldato
Joined
3 Jun 2005
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5,365
Location
West Sussex
This might be of use to some of the Alfa 147/156 owner's in this forum with Twin Spark or JTS engines.

A couple of our regular customers were complaining of high oil consumption, particularly with Twin Spark engines. We have now done a bit of experimentation with using Valvoline 10-60W as opposed to the recommended 10-40W.

The initial results look good with the customers claiming it has dramatically reduced consumption. I have also had my 156 JTS changed and I must say the consumption appears to have halved. Even better is that 5 litres of this oil can be picked up in good motor spares shops for under £25.

I hope this might be of some help.
 
I had the same probelm with my Fiat, until I started using the proper oil for my car.

Get yourself some Selenia 20k. Its what Fiats and Alfas are made to run on.
 
Selenia 20k - I've heard good stuff about that. We used to use it on our 1972 Montreal - it seemed to work well. Where's a good supplier of that stuff?
 
Selenia 20k is a 10-40W I believe. It is a good oil but my consumption remains high. Selenia do do a 10-60W which Alfa now recommend but it retails about £40+n with delivery. The Valvoline is the same weight whilst being easier on the pocket. I am seriously impressed so far.
 
It may use/burn less but 10-40 lubricates it best.

Alfa engines are delicate machines, feed them the right oil, or suffer, probably a big end 1st.
 
kaiowas said:
I used this place when I used to have to get bits for the Cinq:

http://www.shop4parts.co.uk/
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i use these guys, http://www.frogbitz.com/ and if you are member of the cinquecento/seicento owners club (http://www.clubcento.co.uk/) they offer pretty darn good discounts.

My Cinq runs on Selenia 20k. I wouldn't run it on a thicker oil, it might not loose/burn as much of it - but if the oil is thicker, then it's not getting to all the places it should be.

However, if Alfa recomend a 10w60 for use in our climate.. then they know best it being their engine and all!
 
BigglesPiP said:
It may use/burn less but 10-40 lubricates it best.

Alfa engines are delicate machines, feed them the right oil, or suffer, probably a big end 1st.
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Alfa say you can use either 10-40W or a 10-60W in a moderate climate with T.Spark engines. From 2002 onwards Alfa specified 10-60W should be first choice and 20k the second.

Point being older T.Spark engines can also run on it with much improved consumption results.

Selenia 10-60W is considered a racing oil so you are not putting in a lesser quality. Most garages though are still putting in 10-40W as it is easier and cheaper to supply.
 
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It's a bit thick when up to temperature though and you may notice a economy/power penalty.

What oil was used before? Mineral?

All depends on the type of oil consumption, liquid or vapour really though.
 
Third Opinion said:
Alfa say you can use either 10-40W or a 10-60W in a moderate climate with T.Spark engines. From 2002 onwards Alfa specified 10-60W should be first choice and 20k the second.

Point being older T.Spark engines can also run on it with much improved consumption results.

Selenia 10-60W is considered a racing oil so you are not putting in a lesser quality. Most garages though are still putting in 10-40W as it is easier and cheaper to supply.
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That could correspond to a change in the design.

I'll ask the expert next time I see him.
 
BigglesPiP said:
That could correspond to a change in the design.

I'll ask the expert next time I see him.
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I very much doubt it changed. Remember the Twin Spark is based on the old Fiat Twin Cam bottom end and is a pretty old design now. Even the JTS was essentially the Twin Spark with a different head.

Alfa's problems with the Twin Spark cambelt failure were almost equally seconded by crankshaft failure caused by oil starvation. The move to Selenia racing oil was seen as a solution I guess, one that appears to work.
 
The oil recommendations have always been a bit fuzzy, but they have also changed recently!

Originally, the TwinSparks on the 156/147 were recommended 10W/40 (Alfa preferred brand being Selenia 20K which is a semi-synthetic oil) but they suggested that you could use 10W60 (Selenia Racing - a fully synthetic oil) for hard driven cars or those in hot climates.

But now...within the last month or so, Selenia and various Alfa Romeo offices in other European countries are recommending Selenia StAR (5W-40 semi synth) for 1.6 twin spark engines and Selenia Racing (10W60) for ALL 2.0 twin spark engines irrespective of climate or how they are driven.

I think I have become an expert on Alfa Romeos even though I don't own one - my sister does :eek: But her car spends about 10 times more time at the mechanics (with me sorting it out) than my Beemer has ever done! :D

Personally, I think Alfa Romeo should get rid of their entire range of 4 cylinder petrol engines, and buy in some Bavarian Motor Works 16v engines. They'd be lightyears more reliable, they'd produce more power and have much better economy whilst not requiring the owner to change the cambelt and half the bits in the engine every 10,000 miles. And they don't go BANG at 40,000 miles either!
 
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I was loosing oil when I was using standard 10w-40. However when I started using Selenia 20k, my oil consumption went right down.

Not all 10w-40's are created equal. ;)
 
Third Opinion said:
I very much doubt it changed. Remember the Twin Spark is based on the old Fiat Twin Cam bottom end and is a pretty old design now. Even the JTS was essentially the Twin Spark with a different head.
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AFAIK the TS was one of the "modular" engine design variants, in the same family as the 1.8 in the Barchetta, and the 5 cylinder 20v used in the Bravo/Coupe etc. and also used in the 5 cylinder diesels. They are not related to the Lampredi designed Twin Cam.
 
MarkDavis said:
Personally, I think Alfa Romeo should get rid of their entire range of 4 cylinder petrol engines, and buy in some Bavarian Motor Works 16v engines. They'd be lightyears more reliable, they'd produce more power and have much better economy whilst not requiring the owner to change the cambelt and half the bits in the engine every 10,000 miles. And they don't go BANG at 40,000 miles either!
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Alfa will have replaced their entire 4 cylinder range by the time the 149 is released early next year. The latest range uses the GM bottom end and an Alfa reworked head. Too early to talk about reliability but the lack of cam belt can only be a positive sign.

As too your sisters 147, my colleague at work has a 318 BM that has spent far more time being fixed than any Alfa i have owned but of course it doesn't represent every BM that has ever been built same as your 147.
 
I think a lot depends on your driving style.I tend to give mine a good caning every now and then.Jamie at AlfaWorkshops recommended it :)
 
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