Post
Research the Car Logo

1994 Alfa Romeo 164

1994 Alfa Romeo 164

The 1994 Alfa Romeo 164 was a luxury sedan that was offered with a variety of engine and transmission options. The base engine was a 2.0-liter inline-four that produced 120 horsepower and 118 lb-ft of torque. A 2.5-liter V6 with 160 horsepower and 153 lb-ft of torque was also available. The top-of-the-line engine was a 3.0-liter V6 with 210 horsepower and 190 lb-ft of torque. The 164 was available with a five-speed manual transmission or a four-speed automatic transmission.

The 164 was praised for its stylish design, comfortable interior, and responsive handling. However, it was also criticized for its high price and poor reliability.

Issues

Engine

2.0L Inline-Four

  • Intake manifold gasket failure: Symptoms include a loss of coolant, a rough idle, and decreased engine power. The solution is to replace the intake manifold gasket. Estimated cost to fix: $300 - $500+
  • Head gasket failure: Symptoms include a loss of coolant, a white cloud of smoke from the exhaust, and an overheating engine. The solution is to replace the head gasket. Estimated cost to fix: $1,000 - $2,000+

2.5L V6

  • Timing belt failure: Symptoms include a sudden loss of engine power and a loud noise from the engine. The solution is to replace the timing belt. Estimated cost to fix: $500 - $1,000+
  • Oil leaks: Symptoms include a puddle of oil under the car and a low oil level on the dipstick. The solution is to replace the leaking seals or gaskets. Estimated cost to fix: $100 - $500+

3.0L V6

  • Valve stem seal failure: Symptoms include a cloud of blue smoke from the exhaust and an increased oil consumption. The solution is to replace the valve stem seals. Estimated cost to fix: $500 - $1,000+
  • Ignition coil failure: Symptoms include a misfire and a rough idle. The solution is to replace the ignition coil. Estimated cost to fix: $100 - $200+

Transmission

Five-Speed Manual Transmission

  • Clutch failure: Symptoms include a slipping clutch and a difficulty shifting gears. The solution is to replace the clutch. Estimated cost to fix: $500 - $1,000+
  • Synchronizer failure: Symptoms include a grinding noise when shifting gears. The solution is to replace the synchronizer. Estimated cost to fix: $200 - $500+

Four-Speed Automatic Transmission

  • Transmission fluid leak: Symptoms include a puddle of transmission fluid under the car and a low transmission fluid level on the dipstick. The solution is to replace the leaking seal or gasket. Estimated cost to fix: $100 - $500+
  • Shift solenoid failure: Symptoms include a delay in shifting gears and a harsh shift. The solution is to replace the shift solenoid. Estimated cost to fix: $200 - $500+

Suspension

  • Strut failure: Symptoms include a sagging ride height, a rough ride, and a clunking noise when driving over bumps. The solution is to replace the struts. Estimated cost to fix: $500 - $1,000+
  • Control arm bushing failure: Symptoms include a loose or rattling suspension, a wandering steering wheel, and a decreased ride quality. The solution is to replace the control arm bushings. Estimated cost to fix: $200 - $500+

Electrical

  • Alternator failure: Symptoms include a dim dashboard, flickering lights, and a dead battery. The solution is to replace the alternator. Estimated cost to fix: $300 - $500+
  • Starter failure: Symptoms include a clicking noise when trying to start the car and a no-start condition. The solution is to replace the starter. Estimated cost to fix: $200 - $500+

Exterior

  • Door lock failure: Symptoms include a door that will not lock or unlock, or a door that locks or unlocks intermittently. The solution is to replace the door lock actuator. Estimated cost to fix: $100 - $300+
  • Power window failure: Symptoms include a window that will not go up or down, or a window that goes up or down intermittently. The solution is to replace the power window motor or switch. Estimated cost to fix: $100 - $500+

Interior

  • Climate control failure: Symptoms include a malfunctioning air conditioning system, a heater that does not work, or a fan that does not blow. The solution is to replace the climate control module or the blower motor. Estimated cost to fix: $200 - $500+
  • Radio failure: Symptoms include a radio that does not turn on, a radio that does not receive stations, or a radio that has poor sound quality. The solution is to replace the radio. Estimated cost to fix: $100 - $500+

Summary

The 1994 Alfa Romeo 164 is a stylish and comfortable sedan with a powerful engine and responsive handling. However, it is also a somewhat unreliable car with a number of potential issues. The most common issues include intake manifold gasket failure, head gasket failure, timing belt failure, and oil leaks. The cost to fix these issues can be high, especially for the more serious problems.

This post is licensed under CC BY 4.0 by the author.