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Technical advice about buying 33
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bw
Alfasud


Joined: 29 Apr 2003
Posts: 55
Location: Midlands, UK

PostPosted: Tue Apr 29, 2003 1:35 pm    Post subject: Technical advice about buying 33 Reply with quote

Hi guys. I'm new to the forum and hoping you can give me some advice please?

I am going to look at a 1987 33 1.5 ti veloce for sale in a couple of days and I'm wondering what are the main points to look for. I already have a 2.0 16v 155, and this will be a second car for me.

Also, the seller says that there is a small problem with 2nd gear which needs a £12 part?! From what I've read this is the synchromesh, but doubt it's a £12 issue! Should I even consider buying it with this problem as I am not prepared to spend large amounts of money on it and need it to be reliable. Are they driveable with this problem?
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Lee
Alfa Sprint


Joined: 13 Mar 2003
Posts: 150
Location: Essex UK

PostPosted: Tue Apr 29, 2003 6:34 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi, the gearbox problem is unlikely to be fixed for £12. I`ve had a few 33s, and nearly all had syncro problems. I just lived with it.

One of my cars had a gearbox rebuild that came to about £450, with loads of bits changed. Within a few thousand miles the 2nd syncro had worn again. What a waste of money, but can be a pain for fast gear changes.

Apparently, useing the gearbox to slow down from a fast speed is a cause of premature wear.

Lee
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`97 155 2.0 16v sport
`91 33 1.7 I.E
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Ian M
Green Cloverleaf


Joined: 13 Mar 2003
Posts: 911
Location: Bath Somerset

PostPosted: Tue Apr 29, 2003 6:55 pm    Post subject: things to look at Reply with quote

As Lee said the gearbox problem is common on the 33,you either live with it or fix it.
Other things to look at are rust obviously,they usually go around rear window,fuel filler.rear panel,wheel arches & boot floor.
But you be very unlucky for it to be gone in all of those.
Another thing is the front strut pan bearings,this can be detected when you drive it by steering from lock to lock,if you hear a clunking they are shot.
Good luck with it hope its a goodun
Ian...
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bw
Alfasud


Joined: 29 Apr 2003
Posts: 55
Location: Midlands, UK

PostPosted: Wed Apr 30, 2003 8:33 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Cheers guys. This is all good bargaining material! From what I've been told the body work has very little rust so hopefully should be ok on that front. Apparently it has only done 70k miles, so fingers crossed it's all pretty sound apart from the synchro issue.

I'll let you know if I get it and post some pics.
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Admin
Site Admin


Joined: 19 Feb 2003
Posts: 1223
Location: Stafford, UK

PostPosted: Wed Apr 30, 2003 12:00 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi

Normal problem is 2nd gear synchro. Not sure of the cost of the part and it may be £12, but then there is a hell of alot of work to fit it. You just learn to double declutch (and if you do this then you will not wear out the synchros in the first place)

To add to the comment on the strut pan bearings, use full lock and then straighten up. If the car still pulls in the direction you last had full lock then the bearings are shot

All the best

Keith
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Gary UK
Alfa Sprint


Joined: 17 Mar 2003
Posts: 218
Location: Darlington UK

PostPosted: Wed Apr 30, 2003 12:20 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Can you do mechanics yourself as you may find it difficult to get a garage local to fix it if it breaks (the engines are bullet proff with plenty of oil changes).

BTW don't pay over a couple of hundred quid (if u r in the UK) unless it's a1 as 33's have no intrinsic value.

Buy you'll sure enjoy it on the twisty roads.

I'd tend to look for a 1.7 as you'll pay the same insurance forless performance with a 1.5 (and non vented front disks on the 1.5 also)
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bw
Alfasud


Joined: 29 Apr 2003
Posts: 55
Location: Midlands, UK

PostPosted: Fri May 02, 2003 10:16 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Have been to inspect the car and need further help.
Mechanically it seems pretty sound apart from the synchro problem which is quite bad, although the seller tells me it isn't so bad when it's warmed up.
There is some bubbling rust around the filler cap that hasn't broken the paintwork badly yet
but my biggest concern are the door sills. These look to have several major areas of rust on both sides of
the car. How bad could they get before major work would be required for MOT?

Also, what noise should I expect if the strut bearings are knackered exactly -
I could hear a light sort of 'crackling' sound when turning the wheel, but it may have just
been the dashboard plastic rubbing - would the bearings be more of a clunking or creaking sound, or does it
sound like they're worn?!

I've been offered it for £300, but could offer them less maybe as they seem quite eager to sell because of lack of space.
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Gary UK
Alfa Sprint


Joined: 17 Mar 2003
Posts: 218
Location: Darlington UK

PostPosted: Fri May 02, 2003 1:28 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The plastic sill covers can hide terminal rot (they basically trap shit that acts like a sponge) take them off and inspect (there is a small screw at each end then they just slide off).

Also check the bottom of the pillar between front and back doors and the front floor pans.

If the sills are shot it's basically scrap unless you can weld (as oversills are available (about £40 each I think)).

I've seen rough(looking) but good running 16v'ers for £300 offer them £150 tops and leave your phone number they'll be back as they are unlikely to sell it.

Rust round the filler cap is standard equipment with a 33 it will only get worse but will be a few years b4 it's terminal.

Chech the front chassis rails for cracks esp under the rubber flaps where the steering rods go through.

Nice cars are 33's but one definately for the enthusiast.
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Lee
Alfa Sprint


Joined: 13 Mar 2003
Posts: 150
Location: Essex UK

PostPosted: Fri May 02, 2003 6:19 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi, funny you mention odd strut pan bearing noise. One of my 16v`s used to squeek when pulling out of junctions and turning the wheels. New strut pan bearing cured it.

But the cars do tend to be very squeeky and rattly inside aswell.

Lee
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`97 155 2.0 16v sport
`91 33 1.7 I.E
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Ian M
Green Cloverleaf


Joined: 13 Mar 2003
Posts: 911
Location: Bath Somerset

PostPosted: Fri May 02, 2003 7:55 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

WITH STRUT PAN BEARINGS THE NOISE IS USUALLY A CLUNK AND WILL PROBABLY FEEL IT AS WELL THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL.
I AGREE WITH GARY OFFER THEM £150 IF THEY SAY NO WALK AWAY,IF THEY WANT RID THEY WILL COME BACK TO YOU
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bw
Alfasud


Joined: 29 Apr 2003
Posts: 55
Location: Midlands, UK

PostPosted: Mon May 12, 2003 12:54 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Well, we eventually agreed on £200 which I was happy with. I was supposed to collect it at the weekend, but then the seller got a better offer of £350 and backed out of the deal an hour later Shocked

Thanks for your help though guys. I'll be keeping an eye out for another one (or perhaps a 75?) at similar price in the future I think as I was quite taken with the test drive. A bit noisier than the 155 Smile
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Ian M
Green Cloverleaf


Joined: 13 Mar 2003
Posts: 911
Location: Bath Somerset

PostPosted: Mon May 12, 2003 1:46 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Or it could of been a cunning plan to get you to up your offer Rolling Eyes
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Scott Sander
Alfa 33


Joined: 20 Feb 2003
Posts: 419
Location: Sydney, Australia

PostPosted: Mon May 12, 2003 1:58 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

bw,

Had a similar sort of thing happen here 2 months ago.

I'd paid a deposit and had arranged for a bank cheque, then the person rings me and basically the same deal. I turned down his offer out of principle.

Oh well I'm still looking.
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Scott Sander
'91 Alfa 33 Boxer 16V Monza - Awesome
http://www.sanderfamily.com
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bw
Alfasud


Joined: 29 Apr 2003
Posts: 55
Location: Midlands, UK

PostPosted: Mon May 12, 2003 2:36 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I wondered about that, especially as the car had been up for sale for 2 months already with no takers, it seemed odd
that within an hour someone had offered a lot more than me for it. But I wasn't about to go above £200. If they call back
saying the 'better deal' actually fell through I don't know whether I'll decline on principle or offer £100. I'm in no hurry though, so
something else will come along!
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Scott Sander
Alfa 33


Joined: 20 Feb 2003
Posts: 419
Location: Sydney, Australia

PostPosted: Mon May 12, 2003 11:12 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

get a mate to ring up and see if it is still available
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Scott Sander
'91 Alfa 33 Boxer 16V Monza - Awesome
http://www.sanderfamily.com
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Ian M
Green Cloverleaf


Joined: 13 Mar 2003
Posts: 911
Location: Bath Somerset

PostPosted: Tue May 13, 2003 11:13 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I got a better idea....get a mate to ring him and if he still got it put his number on here and we can all ring him!!!
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bw
Alfasud


Joined: 29 Apr 2003
Posts: 55
Location: Midlands, UK

PostPosted: Tue May 13, 2003 1:53 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

LOL, that's a good idea Twisted Evil
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Gary UK
Alfa Sprint


Joined: 17 Mar 2003
Posts: 218
Location: Darlington UK

PostPosted: Tue May 13, 2003 4:51 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Yeah yeah yeah I'll offer him £50 Shocked Seriously if you want a 33 ring round breakers yards as that is where the majority are some mint with only minor problems. It might just be that you have to buy two to get a good one.

A trick for getting car's from breakers that run but are not taxed or MOT'ed is to book them in for an MOT test and arrange short term insurance cover and just drive them home (sack the test). Having your details in a garages diary will cover you for no MOT or TAX Very Happy .

And the more spares you have available for a 33 makes the ownership less expensive. BTW if you can't or don't want to learn how to fix cars DON'T BUY A 33 Twisted Evil

Say's the man who tried to catch a dropping flywheel yesterday (luckily I still have fingers only the end of mr right hand next to pinkie one is a bit squished at the end. Me lass keeps saying hospital, I'm worried they'll chop the end off!! (oooh nearly had another whitey thinking about it). I knew what I was doing was soooooo stooopid but it I couldn't cancel the natural reaction b4 ooooooooh I am having another whitey........
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Ian M
Green Cloverleaf


Joined: 13 Mar 2003
Posts: 911
Location: Bath Somerset

PostPosted: Tue May 13, 2003 5:18 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Glad Im not the only onr on the injured list....I sprained my ankle hopping over a fence on sunday.....and no I wasnt running from an irate husband before anyone asks!!
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Sergio
Alfa Sprint


Joined: 13 Mar 2003
Posts: 150
Location: Portugal

PostPosted: Tue May 13, 2003 8:00 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Laughing Laughing Laughing Laughing Laughing Laughing
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bw
Alfasud


Joined: 29 Apr 2003
Posts: 55
Location: Midlands, UK

PostPosted: Wed May 14, 2003 10:26 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

The idea is to learn as I go on the mechanics side. Thanks for the tips. I may try the breakers at some point. Does anyone know any specific ones that specialise in Alfas?

Feeling a bit queasy now by the way Embarassed
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bvolden
Alfa Arna


Joined: 15 May 2003
Posts: 8
Location: Trondheim, Norway

PostPosted: Thu May 15, 2003 6:48 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Is it difficult to change the stut pan bearings, I also rekognized the sounds in my 33... Crying or Very sad
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Admin
Site Admin


Joined: 19 Feb 2003
Posts: 1223
Location: Stafford, UK

PostPosted: Thu May 15, 2003 10:23 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi

Fairly easy to change. Slacken off the nut on the top of the strut (just a turn or 2). JAck car up. Remove wheel. Crack off track rod end. Unbolt strut from hub. Remove strut. Unbolt strut from inner wing. Use spring compressors to compress the spring. Fully undo the nut on the top of the strut (make sure the spring is compressed sufficiently so that the nut isnt under any preasure). Lift off the strut top spring pan, the spring and then the lower strut spring pan. Under that you will find the bearing.

Then put it all back together. Make sure you dont mix the bits up between the struts and make sure you put the spring back in the same position

All the best

Keith
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PostPosted: Wed Jul 09, 2003 8:53 pm    Post subject: BW Not bitter! Reply with quote

Welll guys it wasn't a he selling the alfa that BW has been having a gripe about! The car did sell for £350 as it wasn't as bad as he made out, the guy who bought it is driving round in it and is really happy with it! He has put it through an MOT which it passed, and he has spent a little time on the rusty bits the car now looks in a1 condition!

As for agreeing a sale no deposit no hold, if someone offered you £150 for your car then 10mins later u where offered £350 would u really turn it down? after it sitting 2 months I would have been a fool to have turned it down.

Laughing
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alfafan
Alfasud


Joined: 16 Mar 2003
Posts: 83
Location: Coimbra - Portugal

PostPosted: Fri Jul 11, 2003 10:00 am    Post subject: Re: BW Not bitter! Reply with quote

Anonymous wrote:
As for agreeing a sale no deposit no hold, if someone offered you £150 for your car then 10mins later u where offered £350 would u really turn it down? after it sitting 2 months I would have been a fool to have turned it down.


And the word of a person does not count on these days?
If I was the salesman, and I had given my word, I would have sold the car.

Carlos Oliveira (not gest)
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