164 shakes and clunks...longish

[Alfa Romeo Search and Rescue Society <alfabill@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

> I've had a moderate, very noticeable shaking of the engine when I am just
> starting to engage a gear to get going. It happens with any gear selection,
> MOST of the time, and it feels like I'm sitting in one of those vibrating
> chairs. It hasn't seemed to be getting worse, but it's annoying and
> unnerving.
	This sounds like an oil contaminated clutch disc. Mine was this way and
since the new clutch 2 months and 11,000 ( ! ) miles ago is smooth as
silk...
	Did they replace the rear main seal? If not, why not? Cheap insurance.

> Thirdly, I know this is frequently covered, but what was the deal with the
> tensioner upgrade? Were all tensioner replaced with mechanical ones, or
> were
> they all inspected and those needing change were given attention? I ask
> because my service advisor said some weren't replaced. This also worries
> me.
> I'm very freaked out about my car now because I don't have any time to get
> under her and do any investigative work myself. I am inclined to call
> ARDONA
> and speak to them,
	There is nothing WRONG with the oil fed tensioner. If you wanted to pay
for it, the dealer would put the mech. one in. The mechanical tensioner
is and was an option. I happen to like it, others don't. It wasn't the
tensioner that was the issue on the "inspection/belt replacement". It
was the fact that ARDONA listed the T-belt life as 50,000 miles when it
would in fact not make it that far in many cases. They did this for
USEPA warranty reasons, not wanting anyone tinkering until the warranty
was up. They bought us belts for liability reduction reasons. Note it
was a VOLUNTARY campaign.
	Change the belt every 30K and have a nice day. Stop worrying unless it
leaks.

	As far as calling ARDONA, good luck. 2 reasons: I am 80 miles away and
if they bother to answer the phone, it's a miracle. My local dealer even
jokes about it because I got through one day and they don't even return
his calls to order parts. I called a couple weeks ago and Brugnoli
answered the phone. They are just waiting for the day to get out and go
home. 2) They have little control over your dealer, and probably don't
really have the manpower or inclination to get involved.
	It sounds like you have a dealer problem, but after 8000 miles, your
leverage is weakened. Talk to the owner. It sounds like you are getting
lip service.
	The clunking could be a variety of things and because I am not familiar
with the  S suspension, I'll pass on giving any advice there. 

Enough venting from me?

- -- 

Bill Harkell--Tampa Florida
Homepage/"One Lap" drafts:http://pw2.netcom.com/~alfabill/welcome.htm

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