Alfa Romeo GT JTS - What Can Go Wrong - Users Guide / Buyers Guide

[@Horus_Works]

Other items to watch, not mentioned in the Video: - Coil Packs can go (misfire) - Replace with Bosch or OEM Only - Lambda Sensors can fail - Replace with Bosch or OEM Only - Mass Air Flow sensor can play up (replace with Bosch if necessary) - Injectors can clog up, so regular injector cleaner is advisable (on a daily driver, use 1 bottle every 6 weeks or so) - The Camshaft and Crankshaft sensors once faulty, will result in the car not starting. Look here if your car won't start - The rust in the side sills can be caused by jacking the car up at the wrong points. Make sure you use the recommended jacking points described in the owner's manual, otherwise you will crush the sills and introduce rust

[@doraexplora9046]

Use NGK Titanium plugs. the original sensors from Alfa had a built-in failure design. I've had two 156's from new. Approximately six months apart and the cam shaft position sensors both failed at 10years almost to the day. The after market Bosch parts don't have this 'feature' in them. I was so angry when I found out about this 'built-in redundancy' I changed every electronic component on the engine. It's coming up to 23years for both cars and not a problem with either of them, ever since.

[@Horus_Works]

@@doraexplora9046 is it the camshaft position sensor that fails? So use the Bosch version?

[@doraexplora9046]

@@Horus_Works YES! Guaranteed to fail because it was built into the engineering. Engineers get incentivised to make these things fail on que. Replace it now before you get stranded. Mine just stopped at the lights and that was it. They are nearly all Bosch and the new ones from Bosch are excellent. You'll probably three times more for a Bosch as opposed to some other no-nothing brand. Never had a lambda sensor fail ever. Voltage drops on the triple gauge set is also 'built-in'. Pull the rear connectors and clean them. The most annoying part to fail is the ABS unit. The electronics are an interference fit or push fit. With under-hood heat they will work loose and your ABS will stop working. A dead tacho and the ABS light on is a dead give away of this problem. You need to get it rebuilt or should I say soldered. The flow solder over the connections and they are then good for life. There are a number of companies in England that do this.

[@marioreese4907]

Hello from Germany. One Question: How many Lambda Sensors does a JTS 2.0 have? I own a 156 jts 2002, 166 hp. Great video!

[@Horus_Works]

@@marioreese4907 thanks for your question, unfortunately I don't know the answer to this one... hopefully someone else here can help answer your question.

[@ianmills669]

Good job Eric, you've covered a lot of the likely issues. What often causes rust in the sill panels is people (often tyre fitters), jacking the car up with the head of the jack straight under the ship instead of under the designated jacking point. It will be very evident because the sill will be squashed out of shape and the paint cracked allowing moisture in.

[@Horus_Works]

Thanks for offering great info as always Ian. I made sure to thank you in the video at 24:29 - also I've listed some extra tidbits others have pointed out in the video description 👍

[@doraexplora9046]

I'd probably have to murder my tyre fitter if I found that out. Just saying.

[@gnisioskipreos7227]

Thanks for all the information. Very helpful tips. I own a GT JTS 2003 and I take care of it as much as I can.

[@Horus_Works]

Most welcome, I hope the video helps you. Also, please check the comments because others have also made good suggestions.

[@dasdasdsdasdasdasd363]

I have a JTS 156 for 4 years with 150kms on it. Being direct injection, the intake valves and ports gum up with carbon deposits. This gunk causes a lot of problems such as misfires, error codes on the dash and rough idle, black smoke from tail pipe at high rpm and so on. The only way to clean it out is to remove the intake manifold, which is a pain in the ... and a lot of work as the intake is at the back of the engine. On mine, I also found a misfire by wiggling the wires going into the coil pack connectors with the engine running. You will know when you find it. So if you have a misfire problem start by checking that. Worked for me.

[@Horus_Works]

Nice info! Thanks!

[@malcolmgray.5913]

Very helpful for potential and current owners👍

[@Horus_Works]

Thank you mate 👍

[@djlosmi]

Nice video! I own one for 5 years (JTD diesel) and It's my ultimate daily - from moving homes to occasional track day, just the perfect and reliable, fun, daily car. I would also add > the roof lining will about to start to rot away as well. I did my myself it's quite involving job too.

[@Horus_Works]

Thanks for watching the video, and for the tip about the roof liner 👍

[@seppoeerola882]

You´ve done your homework nicely, great wrap-up of the GT JTS. I´ve "rescued" two of these, both had horrible rust sills and dead engine in a big way (swap needed). There´s some sound proofing foam in the front too, where the front fender and sill seam is. Another place to start rotting inside-out. Doors also start to "pop" eventually, when the check strap wears out. Great and suprisingly practical everyday cars when all is well, although the seats are a bit tight for my back, thus prefer the 156.

[@Horus_Works]

Thanks for the comment and for adding to the checklist mate, I appreciate you taking the time. I had a 156 before and loved it... I'd seriously consider another twin spark 156 but they are getting rare on the ground now... great car though.

[@Zeghetank]

I have a GT JTS Blackline for almost three years. For more than 8 years I had the 2.0 TS on 156. The biggest problem with the JTS is that it's direct injection and it has deposits on the valves. You'll need to clean it someday and after that install an Oil Catch can so it will not happen again. Don't use Selenia. Anything else is better, mostly Motul. I never go more than 10k between oil changes. I use the shallow oil filter. I had the other one, but I swapped for convenince. Another prolem is that stupid plastic pipe for coolant which is just above the exhaust manifold. Mine just cracked because you know, plastic and lots of heat don't work. In the TS engines the same pipe is made of aluminium! And it's stupid expensive for what it does. On your car it's from the left side, where the pipe meets the engine. You just replace the gasket 60676422 and apply sillicone. Overall, maintenance is not very expensive. It's a nice car, more for cruising than going hard. I would sell it to buy something a bit faster in the same money, but there's nothing else more beatiful than this. :)) It's also very practical. Boot is big enough and if you really want to carry lots of things, you can fold the rear seats. At 16:57 - no, you don't need the whole kit, you just need two bushings : 46768696 & 46768698. And if you really want to do it properly, you can change the bushing at the gearbox too 46467103. And yes, you're right about the rear calipers. The problem are the brake lines, because they tend to seize! I'am about to change the calipers and the hoses with braided ones.

[@Horus_Works]

Thanks for the great info on the JTS engine! I'm curious to know, since you had the TS and the JTS engines, if you had to buy one or the other now, which one would you buy?

[@Zeghetank]

​@@Horus_Works I would buy the TS. It consumes less oil, it sounds a bit better and it has less plastic components and for some parts it's easyer to service (the injectors for example). If the factory had installed the 2.5 V6, that would have been the perfect balance. I really hate the fact that JTS it's not performing as it should and it has this carbon deposits. I'm thinking to clean it with walnut blasting. Don't get me wrong, the car is working fine, but it's not that spicy as a TS. 156 is more nimble also. My TS had cable acceleration so this was an advantage. I didn't had any problems with the TS engine.

[@Horus_Works]

@Zeghetank Very interesting. I have heard that the TS engines are not that much worse power wise, despite the fact that the JTS engines replaced them. It seems like the 156 with a TS engine might be a nice Alfa choice. Thanks for sharing 👍

[@Zeghetank]

@@Horus_Works You're welcome. I regret a bit that I din't bought a 1.8 GT and then swap the engine with a 2.0 TS. They look absolutely the same. No one knows the internals. I think all you need to do in the end is just a remap and you still end up with at least 166 HP as a JTS, but no more stress with the carbon deposits. 😉

[@jarobochen344]

Wystarczy użytkowac jak człowiek a nie stary.dziadek i czasami dać w palnik do odcinki 7 RPM nie będzie osadów na zworach ,

[@giacomopuglisi9590]

Hi Eric, it would be interesting to see how you get the bearings out of the wheel hub, you would need a puller and a hydraulic press. Maybe it could be quiet difficult to do it on your own, if you haven't these tools. In some respects this Alfa resembles the Focus with regards to the seals on the engine oil filler cap, the oil sump plug and the door handles which sometimes get stuck. After all, I see that you are bringing this car to a good level of maintenance. Good job. Thank you for having tagged me too: )

[@Horus_Works]

Most welcome Giacomo, you've been helpful in the comments so the mention is well deserved 👍 I'm going to see about those bearings soon...

[@longhuynh5249]

I have same car so very appreciative of your summaries.

[@Horus_Works]

Glad you like them!

[@johnpauldonaldson3725]

Thank you for the information and the tips,and it's great to be able to use one.cheers on my alfa journey.

[@Horus_Works]

Most welcome, and I hope you enjoy your Alfa 😄

[@johnpauldonaldson3725]

Just,out of interest how many GT blackline 2.0 petrol is a 2008 model and it's a limited edition which I have already asking me questions to ask me about it but I'll tell you that it's a beautiful thing it drives on rail's and it's going to get some careful resto/mods,so simple it's had a stainless steel exhaust and it's going to a specialist on Tuesday morning and they will give it a proper alpha specialist service and oil flush and all other fluid will be done before they bring it back all tuned and the little things will be done on it,and it's a long journey and I want the car checked before I can go.so I thought that would cost me a fortune all my friends are giving me stick to buy it for me to show what I can do as I attempt to become more knowledge about them,and why I'm sticking with my alpha and I've driven a few car's and the handling is like a wee fly,but it's rough over potholes and I mean spineshattering on the smooth motorways and the car comes alive and smooth actually quite quick and no exhaust drone never let me down so I'm giving it a better car than anything else and I've had some tasty motors.

[@johnpauldonaldson3725]

I have the vague gearbox which you have and a few others but mint interior looks great and clean no rust,ss exhaust and great drive and I'm hooked on the twisty roads the engine is intoxicating take the good with the bad,and that's car guys no sense,but in a good car it's all about the drive and the tuning lambda tuning is used in the audi tt,quattro 225 bam is the same as the Alfa,and tt are everywhere but haven't seen another alfa gt blackline.i like a bit different from every one else and it's quick to enjoy the motorway aswell.

[@155andRising]

Great video, I have a GT JTD and a 88 Sprint QV . I need to swap my front anti roll bar at some point as it knocks. Hate to correct you but the oil is pronounced S E L E N I A ( sel - any- a) not (sel-eena)

[@Horus_Works]

Thanks for the comment mate and thanks for the correction - I learn something new every day 😄

[@huwd2292]

Lovely car and great vid. Don’t use WD40 to lube though. It’s not a lubricant, dissolves any existing grease or lube and will leave your hinge unprotected. Definitely use silicone lube or similar.

[@Horus_Works]

Thanks for the tip! 👍

[@CARBON10]

NICE. great vidio How about a vidio on the 159 selespeed 2.2 JTS

[@giampieroflaminio8172]

Lateral panels to be reglued need to be completely detached by the door to make it properly

[@sanelb1147]

If u ever get engine light, abs disable, temperature gauge weird behavior, change the radiator About oil, any oil will work just keep on mind to use 10w60 full synth

[@Horus_Works]

Thanks for sharing 👍

[@alexanderannesen5358]

Should i buy The alfa GT 2,0 Lusso, as My first car? Im terning 18 in 10 days and Can go buy the car but, this video was helpful. But where to buy the Oil? Cant find it anywhere

[@Horus_Works]

Hey Alexander, these are good cars if taken care of - so if the one you're looking at has been looked after then yes, buy it. The oils can be found online. If it hasn't been taken care of though, there isn't anything much worse than a neglected Alfa.

[@Mihail_KM]

I would advise you to dyno the car. I have one 2008 GT BlackLine JTS that i have put a lot of money into bringing it back to factory condition of the interior, exterior and mechanics. However i never dynoed the car. Well today i did: 123 hp 177 Nm and the engine is very good condition. The car has sport intake and novitec exhaust. Also the exhaust gas probe did show very bad fueling indicating that the fuel system's map is garbage from the factory. I am very disappointed of the car, was planning to keep it for a long and do a resto-mod sort of build but now i will have to see what i will do with it.

[@Horus_Works]

Yeah those are not great numbers. I'll see if I can get mine on a dyno, thanks 👍

[@Mihail_KM]

@@Horus_Works I was not entirely correct about the numbers. The car has to be prepped before getting on the dyno, mine was not. Still the numbers will not get to ones claimed by Alfa but with a re-worked intake(including porting and polishing of the intake valve chambers) and a free flowing exhaust may go a little above 165 hp.

[@Horus_Works]

@@Mihail_KM thanks, that's a lot of work just for 165hp. Maybe these engines are just for cruising, not performance.

[@danieloide787b]

I have a 156 with the same engine and 160K km. It pulled very good in low and mid RPM but I always felt a lack of power in high RPMs so as you i Dynoed mine and I got 120 and 200nm ... I talked with a chiptuner and we tried to pull the car without MAF... And we got engine light and a little silly acceleration but 135Hp. So the chiptuner anuled the MAF (as it coast 400€) to work only with lambda sensors, that I have just put it new from Alfa. Now i get 140Hp (It's close to the real factory output) and 230nm... Now it's another car, but anyways it's a shame that Alfa anounces 165Hp and you just get 140 from factory... Also very important: Check for carbon deposits in inlet valves and for cam wear.

[@Mihail_KM]

@@danieloide787b We are now preparing a project plan to get it to 200 HP and keeping it naturally aspirated. I have found some people that had done it but it includes a lot of new (sport/fast road level) parts. This is an Alfa Romeo and i wont have it left like this even more when the tractor engine(diesel) is faster.

[@Mrjohnmcmahon15]

Could you do a timing belt replacement video please, live the videos

[@juanmartin1611]

Really nice video. I use Shell oil on mine. What is your normal oil comsuption?

[@Horus_Works]

Thank you Juan, I always have about half a 1L bottle left over from an oil change, and I just use that to top up the engine as needed. I found that when that bottle runs out, it's about time for an oil change anyway.

[@doraexplora9046]

Use anything BUT Selenia oil in the V6 Busso engine and it WILL fail prematurely. Watched many many engines come into the shop at McCarrols that had been running some other brand of 10W60 and the rings had worn out before a 130,000kms. The engine normally are good for 250,000kms at least, if the factory oil is used.

[@Horus_Works]

That's pretty much what I was told by Alfa specialists for a JTS engine as well. Apparently there's a special lubricant in the Selenia oil for these Alfa engines.

[@doraexplora9046]

@@Horus_Works So many JTS engines have bitten the dust because people just put any old 10W60 thinking that they're all the same. The right oil is not that easy to get and is way more expensive than other brands. But I installed a 2micron by-pass filter and change the oil every two three years as the oil is 100% cleaned by the second filter.

[@Horus_Works]

@Dora Explora That sounds like a good idea 👍

[@davidwescott2632]

Done loads (hundreds) of oil changes without using Selenia with absolutely no problems.

[@doraexplora9046]

@@davidwescott2632 If it was on a JTS. It's the same problem. They wear prematurely. If you're the mechanic that does the changes. You never get to see the damage, as the cars are towed to the wreckers, not to your place!

[@johnpauldonaldson3725]

Brilliant info and timing I just got one😂

[@Horus_Works]

Hope you enjoy your Alfa GT mate, and thanks for checking out the video!.. Beautiful cars.

[@johnpauldonaldson3725]

Mine,needs the gearbox housing you described,also oil usage and is a limited edition blackline gt,can you please send me the information. Thanks john

[@Horus_Works]

Have a look at the comments for more recommendations from other owners on what to look for.

[@Coa_Kralj_Coa_The_King]

Very nice presentation

[@Horus_Works]

Thank you 🙂👍

[@VarGabi85]

Thank you !

[@Horus_Works]

Welcome - thanks for watching 🙂

[@Coa_Kralj_Coa_The_King]

I need someone to make video like this for Honda Accord 2.2 I-ctdi 😅Now i realize, a already praise your video 😅

[@Horus_Works]

Haha, thanks mate, I hope you find your video 😁

[@deankamaruddin8211]

very helpful video

[@Horus_Works]

Glad it was helpful!

[@lalaland8075]

Continue plz🎉

[@Horus_Works]

Glad you like the Alfa Romeo GT videos 😀👍

[@BirchFor3st]

👍👍👍

[@lalaland8075]

This car in Turkey around 11,000 € :)

[@Horus_Works]

Interesting, thanks for sharing 👍

[@deniskovac2489]

I mean the engines are amazing. But the plastic bits, nick nacks and sensors are cheaply made. The panels on the inside stay in place by vibrating plastic on plastic. Don't know why they don't have screws. The oil filter is behind the wheel. As a golf 5 x owner I was shocked. What is this placement. Under the wheel? What? Or wait for the 18 to 28 screws holding down the bottom plastic plates which is ridiculously too much screwing around. For some plastic. Blower motor and resistors are a pain in the ass every once in a while. It rusts like a bitch. Seriously making me want to buy a new Golf but ill stick with it for a while longer. I do like the speed.

[@deniskovac2489]

There is soo much wrong with Alfas. Love hate relationship goals.

[@toobinventiv]

I agree with you, they are not perfect, but full of character. It's like a little sister. Super annoying, but you love her anyway 😅

[@Horus_Works]

Typical Italian cars. Beautiful, but not perfect. It gives them character.

[@nsz2302]

Jts engines have chains. Twin sparks have belts

[@Ziad-alfa]

Not the 2.0 JTS version!!!

[@nurski]

The 2.2 JTS (GM derived) in the brera and 159 has chain. The 2.0 JTS is a totally different engine that is derived from the twin spark and has same bottom end, these have belts. I can see how it's confusing as they're both called JTS but that just refers to the direct injection (Audi for example call it FSI)

[@hobizoli]

the JTS 1.9 and 2.2 litre are GM engines, has chain driven the 2.0 is Fiat Pratola Serra engine as the 16v TS was, is belt driven same bore x stroke 1970ccm, the cylinderhead is different due the direct injection

[@happyman3317]

thank you 😊

[@Horus_Works]

Welcome mate, I hope it helps 👍