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[Dr A. 33 1.5IE]

Dear friends,

Now that the weather get colder my 33 gets harder to start from cold. What I exactly mean is that although the engine turns sometimes the car does not start (I need to press the gas pedal to get going) or it starts on idle but it does not sounds very healthy, it develops a stutter for a minute or two until it gets warmed up and if I try to rev it up a bit standing still to get up to temperature, it knocks itself out.

First thing changed was that blue switch on the engine block, close to the starter motor that sends the water temp to the car's " brain ". I behaved itself for a couple of days but the problems kicked in once again.

Can somebody help me a bit out here cos it gets a bit annoying.

Chears and many thanks...
in advance!
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1994 Alfa 33 1.5 IE Cat. 220.000Kms and still going strong!!! (Από την Αθήνα και τώρα στην Λευκωσία)

[Oggie]

I am probably going to tell you things you may already know but, when I start my car I have any electrical gadgets like heater blower, rear demister and lights all switched off, it improves the spark and helps a little when the car is cold and idling, I also changed my alternator to a higher amp (55amp to 65amp) and that really help the car turn over a lot quicker. failing that during cold weather I also adjust the throttle cable so the car ticks over a little higher than usual, hope this helps.
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PHAT 33

[BigAl]

Hey dr A

I see you have a 1.5 ie, I’m not sure how similar they are to the 16v but if the blue switch you are referring to is the CTS "coolant Temperature Sensor" also known as the cold start sensor, that was a good start, if it made no difference, i would compare the readings from both to make sure and keep it as a spare in a sealed bag for when yours fails, just like what i have done recently. There are 2 temp sensors on the 16v, one for the dash and the other for the ECU, think its the same for the 8v and hope you got the correct one as the 16v's CTS is by the left front throttle body as you sit in the car.
The other thing it might be is the throttle idle valve, at the front of the plenum chamber, bobbber mentioned cleaning this a while back but this was for a 16v, I’m not sure but I think there is an adjustment for the 8v's allowing an adjustment of airflow on cold starts, it went something like, putting it in a freezer, which opens it, putting a pencil in the gap and then loosening off the nut and adjusting the hole and then retighten the nut. I hope someone can clarify the exact procedure.
Could it be a faulty lambda sensor, mine runs rough when cold in the cold and when i disconnect the lambda sensor it is smooth.
Then there's the usual check for air leeks, hope i havent told you stuff you already know and good luck.
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x2 33 16v
pictures http://www.alfa-pages.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=5203

[Dr A. 33 1.5IE]

Dear Big Al,

You are right first thing I changed was the CTS with a brand new one from Bosch.

Next I removed and cleaned the Idle Valve on top of the induction plenum. It was blackened inside and lots of WD40 and diesel/parafin compltely changed the looks of it. I haven't tried the car yet in the cold. I 'll do it today Monday morning going to work.

Now about the Lamda sensor and etc I hope to ahve solved the problem already.

Thanks for your time.
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1994 Alfa 33 1.5 IE Cat. 220.000Kms and still going strong!!! (Από την Αθήνα και τώρα στην Λευκωσία)

[BigAl]

you can thank bobbber as that was his last responce to a simular question RE the lambda sensor, i had a think about that and didnt get a chance to ammend my post and remove that comment. My lambda sensor causes stuttering light throttle but no stalling, so i guess its not related to your problem.
Hopefully you will post back after you get home from work with a nice grin saying all is well.
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x2 33 16v
pictures http://www.alfa-pages.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=5203

[Dr A. 33 1.5IE]

Hello again,

BigAl I am not quite sure. I have replaced the Idle Control Valve with a used but newer one. What I can comment on is that looking down the valve's tubing the vertical rotor was stopped in half open position and pushing it with a screwdriver it was revolving freely. The newer part though looked much better.

After work then everything was running fine. In early evening though my wife and I decided to go to the local supermarket for late shopping. As the weather gets a bit chillier here in Cyprus and as I said the problem only occurs in the morning, the car started nicely (super!!!) just to die 5 seconds later. To start it I have to just press the gas pedal to keep it going and then it behaves normally.

The last thing I can do before checking for air leaks or whatelse, is to visit the local MOT and run a exhaust fumes check to see if either the oxygen sensor or the lamda sensor work properly or not.

That's for now, I will check it again tomorow morning and I will let you know.

Chears
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1994 Alfa 33 1.5 IE Cat. 220.000Kms and still going strong!!! (Από την Αθήνα και τώρα στην Λευκωσία)

[Dr A. 33 1.5IE]

Hello again,

Everything is sorted. It was a faulty idle control valve then and the car now behaves nicely.

Thus if anyone else faces a similar problem check the idle valve and the temperature sensor (the 'blue switch') before he goes any deeper.

Thanks for your help guys!!!
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1994 Alfa 33 1.5 IE Cat. 220.000Kms and still going strong!!! (Από την Αθήνα και τώρα στην Λευκωσία)