Aussie 164s

[beatle_bayly]

OK,

Thought I'd start a thread on 164s. There's a lot of info on other forums, but mostly US or European with no direct correlation to Aussie spec cars.

My first questions are:

1. What fluids do people use (engine and tranny oil).
I've heard that the V6 has a particularly high loading on the exhaust cam (or maybe the inlet) leading to premature wear ? If so, is there any validity to using diesel engine oils in these engines ?

2. Tyres ? What works but is relatively quiet on road.

3. Rust doesn't seem to be a problem, but when 164s do rust, where does it start ?

[beatle_bayly]

What about economy ? What can I expect out of a '92 auto ?

[evilgidget]

Quote:

1. What fluids do people use (engine and tranny oil). I've heard that the V6 has a particularly high loading on the exhaust cam (or maybe the inlet) leading to premature wear ? If so, is there any validity to using diesel engine oils in these engines ? 2. Tyres ? What works but is relatively quiet on road. 3. Rust doesn't seem to be a problem, but when 164s do rust, where does it start ?

[beatle_bayly]

Well,

I picked up the 164 from Melbourne today and drove her back to Sale.

Car is absolutely PRISTINE except for a hard miss in one cylinder. Got home quite fine with no overheating and no untoward smells so I don't suspect a headgasket. I'm sure it's a plug or lead, or possibly a sparkplug tube full of water. I recall a very similar thing happened after I washed the engine in my GTV6 and there was 2" of water around one spark plug.

Could also be an injector, but unlikely.

Transmission is fantastic and the suspension seems very tight and clunk/rattle free. Nice and quiet on road with no wind noise. Even the door rubbers look like new.


WANTED:

1. The car has had the CD player/head unit removed. All the wiring and plugs seem intact and there is still a Clarion CD stacker in the boot. I assume the 164 takes a DIN style music machine but mine has no 'chassis' or cradle to support a new CD player (assuming one is fitted). Does anyone have a spare cradle lying about ? Do I actually need one ?

2. The soft rubber piece surrounding the overhead switches has gone all sticky from a cleaning product or armorall etc. Anyone have a spare surround in excellent condition ?

[py105]

Beatle - most DIN units come with a cradle/chassis whatever. I have a spare because my Lina's install is in the glovebox and it wasnt necessary, although I may want to take the head unit with me when I sell so you can't have it

[beatle_bayly]

Thanks PY but what I meant is that my car doesn't have any factory mounting setup inside the hole. There just seems to be a lot of plastic structure where I assume some kind of Alfa chassis sits. Then, assuming again, the DIN cradle sits in that ???
I'm not sure that there should actually be anything in there, not having even sat in a 164 'till yesterday

I'm sure I can make something up to support a DIN cradle, but if there is something 'factory' it would simplify matters.

[beatle_bayly]

Quote:

Originally Posted by beatle_bayly Well, I picked up the 164 from Melbourne today and drove her back to Sale.

[budweiser_sud]

Quote:

Originally Posted by beatle_bayly New plugs and a clean up of the dizzy seems to have fixed the miss. So, in all it looks like a great buy for $4K. Even the wife wants it to be her car.

[C&S]

Quote:

That trick where the transmission self-shifts down a gear as you reduce speed is very cool.

[beatle_bayly]

How does it work ?

Well,.......it's an automatic........so it works automatically

Seriously though, my guess is that it's computer controlled and related to RPM with your foot off the accel pedal.