Re: 164 RPM & Timing Sensor

[JimboMGA@xxxxxxx]

Antonio,
One of the common failure modes for the timing sensor is that the wire lead 
and or the connector get stripped of their sheathing by contact with spinning 
things and heat.
If you pull out the right fender liner and the plastic pulley guards you can 
see the whole set-up. When I pulled my sensor out to check it a little less 
than an ounce of antifreeze poured out of a break in the sheathing. As you might 
guess, that sure wasn't helping things. While you have access to this area 
its good to clean up the temp sensor for the Bosch computer and the one for the 
guage. I detailed them all and tidied up the wire leads with some shrink-tube 
and cable ties and dielectric grease. Well worth the time.
I'll suggest you also take a good look at the little crankcase vent tube that 
runs into the bottom of the crank-case vent canister. Mine gave up on a trip 
to Iowa two months ago. Made the car run like crap.
Let me know what you find in there Antonio.
Lastly, which spark plugs are you using? Some extended tip plugs are a real 
problem in the 12 valve 164. They can actually discharge spark from contact 
with the valve face. Search around on the parts websites and catalogs to find a 
photo that shows the top of the combustion chamber and you'll see what I'm 
getting at. Wes at Vick Autosports tipped me off to that one. That guy knows his 
stuff.
I hope this information helps you.
Sincerely,
Jim Oiler
1991 164L (running really fine)
1969 912 (leaks to keep the oil fresh)

In a message dated 7/29/03 6:10:20 PM, owner-alfa-digest@domain.elided writes:

<< Date: Tue, 29 Jul 2003 12:49:14 -0400
From: "Riso, Antonio" <antonio.riso@domain.elided>
Subject: 164 RPM & Timing Sensor
Have any of you had any trouble with this sensor?  My 164 stumbles terribly
after I sit in traffic for a while.
There seems to be a temperature threshold (in the engine compartment) that
triggers these symptoms.  When this happens, the car idles poorly, sometimes
it stalls or idles around 300 - 400 RPM, and it will not accelerate higher
than 1600 RPM.  If I let it cool for a while, it will work fine until a
certain critical temperature is reached.  So far, I have tried another
airflow meter and another coil with no success.  I suspect the RPM sensor or
some other sensor is shorting out beyond a certain temperature.  If any of
you have any experience with this type of problem, I would appreciate if you
contact me off-line with suggestions on how to proceed.
Thanks in advance,
Antonio Riso
1991 164L >>
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