Alfa Romeo Repair: Alfa 156 2.0 TS, alfa 156, cam speed

Question
Hi, I have just bought a 1998 Alfa 156 2.0 TS. I am really pleased with it but it does have a couple of niggles. Firstly, when it starts it sounds a bit like a diesel - cam speed variator problem? The car has done 67k and the cam belt was changed at 50k. The engine performance is great. Secondly, when it is sometimes started from cold and when I come to a halt, the idle revs almost drop to a stall and then recover to about 700RPM and it does this about 3 times before settling at 700RPM. Finally, sometimes when setting off from cold there is no power despite foot heavily on the throttle - this lasts about 20 seconds.

Thank you very much - I would be grateful for any info/advice and info on how much the above work should cost.

Phil

Answer
First item: if idle speed is too low at cold start it will take awhile for oil to go, also, same if viscosity is too high. Try a 5w-30 and 10w-30 for effect. High ambiant temp may cause loss of pressure with these oils--so monitor effect.

Second item: remove idle speed motor and clean carbon deposits from same--also in the throttle body.

Third item: Alfa wants you to take it easy with cold running, light throttle and below 3000rpm until warmed up. The timing ecu helps achieve this by retarding the timing until warmed up.

Iam in the USA so cannot help with cost.