I've got an '85 Spider with all the classic symptoms of a missing
crank plug (oil pressure pretty much normal at start-up, then drops to
about 1/4 of what it should be after 10 minutes of driving).

A couple questions as I approach this...

1) Is it possible to diagnose and/or fix a missing crank plug dropping
only the bottom of the oil pan (easy) or does it take dropping both
parts of the pan (hard)?

2) Is there a suggested "better-than-the-factory-way-that-failed"
method of installing them?

3) Any reason not to re-use the old plugs (assuming they're intact and
laying in the oil pan for easy retrieval)?

Thanks,
Mark "underneath, looking up" Hickey

"Mark Hickey" <mark@habcycles.com> schreef in bericht
news:ugssh2tlfunekmqm2k9lo2ot7ukjqn17ku@4ax.com...


1.
In 35 years Alfa experience, I NEVER have seen a crank plug missing on an
original Alfa factory engine.
2.
Oil pan can be removed to inspect; sometime you have to raise the engine a
bit to get enough clearance. Don't forget the "hidden" bolts and nuts!!!
3.
When you take the engine apart ALWAYS remove the crack plugs to flush the
crankshaft lube oil leads.
If you get the crank plugs out in one piece (which you normally can),
assemble them using a Locktite product like "Studlock"
4.
My guess for you problem:
a) too "thin" oil
b) oil over pressure relieve valve damaged/sticking
c) worn bearings
--
Ciao from The Netherlands
alfistagj (aka Gert-Jan)
GT 2.0 JTS (2005)
Montreal 2.6V8 (1428700 - 1973/4)

"alfistagj" <alfistagjREMOVE@THISchello.nl> wrote:


I'm running 15-50w synthetic with some booster that should make it a
bit thicker. Probably not it...


Where IS the relief valve on the Alfa 2.0?


I'm hoping this isn't it. The previous owner claims to have had the
engine rebuilt just prior to me buying it. Perhaps he didn't (or
perhaps the shop did a shoddy job). If this is indeed the problem,
I'll probably just drive the motor until it melts, and then go about
my long-term plans of dropping a Mazda rotary engine/transmission in
(can you say "fast Alfa"?). ;-)

Cheers,
Mark "always the optimist" Hickey