Shock! Alfa still broken!! Bigger shock - Merc had a problem!!!!

In news that will shock no one, the Alfa 159 is proving harder to fix than planned, meanwhile in actual shock, the Mercedes C250 has had a problem!

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[mikes]

Thats why I love this channel! Who else would attempt to repair a troublesome Italian diva in a frozen field in the middle of nowhere with a mobile generator? Great work sir!

[Grimwriggler]

i do hope you sort the Alfa out Matt I drive on a regular basis an early 2.4 166 diesel, the 10 valve version, and it is so different and a joy to do long distance driving in

[Cameron-bw]

You want a crows foot on the lower nut, with a ring spanner on the top one. That would give you the leverage to get the nuts tight and have good access to the lower nut to turn it. If that sound's helpful, good luck!

[AliMackMechanical]

Poor Alfa 😢 please save her. TBF the Mercedes didn't break the seat just wore out 😂😂. I do like them myself. 😊Nevermind Matt we all have weeks like this. Feels like 10 steps back and 2 forwards 😂

[profrumpo]

Well you got a bit of free advertising in last nights episode of "Bangers & Cash: Restoring Classics", the chap recommissioning the Reliant Robin was wearing a Furious Driving baseball cap.

[roystonpapworth]

I was in Rome not long ago and saw an old and tatty 159. Fallen in love. Gorgeous looking car...

[markf]

I learnt the gaffer tape lesson back in 1998 with my audi 80 quattro. The seat upholstery on those was a weak spot and my 135, 000 mile student steed had plenty of holes in it. I can only say you're lucky you learnt the lesson in winter, because in the heat of summer people were pointing out bits of gaffer tape stuck to my back, legs and behind pretty much every time I drove anywhere 😆

[KevinGuy-ji]

I like the frosty outside broadcast, very scenic

[iainmacleod]

You are right with modern cars having all their functions on a touchscreen. Truly this is the work of the devil and I hate modern cars with a passion. When I drive my mother’s Audi A1 the controls are intuitive and can be operated by touch without taking my eyes off the road.

[Phiyedough]

Heating those studs would make them tighter rather than looser as they will expand but the cold alloy won't expand much. Ideally you need to heat the alloy and cool the studs.

[EVguru]

You don't really need heat in the studs, you need heat in the cam cover. Aluminium expands roughly twice as much as Steel and you want it to expand away from the stud, breaking the seal and also giving you some clearance. Boiling water can be quite effective and you should be able to run a purely resistive load, like a kettle, from the generator, whilst the electronic load of the induction heater is not happy with the generator output (not an uncommon problem). You'd also be able to make a mug of tea, in case that matters to you.

[davefarrow]

Love these Alfa 159 videos you’re doing, will it be a keeper when finished?

[Runeakb]

The 2.4 jtdm has a flexible second aux belt which is prone to snap and get entangled in the timing belt. 20 new rocker fingers needed.

[eddiecleaver]

This was a really good video thanks Matt. Hope you can soon source a way of extracting those ? Studs from the Alfa’s cylinder head - good luck with it! Also, was pleased to see that you could get the upholstery repaired on your Merc too. Finally, the voiceovers you do are excellent - must take some editing. Hope to say hello if we see you at Rustival 3, when it’s announced.

[stuartduncan]

The best way to get heat into the Alfa is to pour some petrol on to the engine and light a match. Then, you can use your new found experience to do the other one too. Less than a tenner for both. Think of all the time, effort and money you'll save.

[peterriggall]

They did a top job on that seat. Oh for indestructible MB Tex. Admire your patience with the Alfa.

[Francis-Gamble]

To remove that stud, shield it with an old tin can and direct heat from a MAPP gas torch from above.

[alansorbie]

Like you I was planning to keep my W205 Merc forever but I got tempted by a deal on a new W206. It’s incredibly quiet compared to the W205. Must be said I get on well with the touchscreen. Yes the controls for the heating, demist, speed warning off etc are on the screen but they are always visible and in the same place and not buried in menus. There are fixed buttons for a lot of things too, like hazards, stereo mute and heated seats, seat adjust and so on. I find myself using voice command for things like turning on the heated rear screen or seat heating which is even easier than using a button. I wasn’t sure how I’d get on with the system but it works really well so I’m certainly sold on the W206. Just as well really 😅

[tonypacke]

I'd would have turned up at the field, seen all the frost over the Alfa and gone straight home. I admire your tenacity, shame you haven't got some space to work on it under cover.

[CortinasAndClassics]

Matt, would it be worth taking your welder and genny and welding nuts to the threaded bar? Provided that replacement bars are available and not too expensive 🤔
Just a thought