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Pud237 · 28-04-2008

Originally Posted by DelboyMatt

If it helps ease your mind.

I noticed that my GTV V6 was running at around 75 degrees normal driving, rising to 90 degrees with a bit of welly . Idled at around 90 degrees in winter, rising to 97/98 degrees at idle when its hot.

Called my specialist today and he said that was perfectly normal.

Apparently on the GTV (maybe the same on the 156 GTA?), the two stage fan kicks in at 92 degrees (1st phase) and 97 degrees (2nd phase).

But there is a difference between the car not overheating and the car overcooling.

Running at around 75 degrees isn't normal, as the thermostat should stay closed until 85 degrees. If you think your thermostat isn't stuck open, then hold your hand on your radiator and get someone to start the car - I bet the radiator will get warmer from the offset, rather than staying cold until the coolant temp reaches 85, which should then open the thermostat and allow the hot coolant to run into the cool radiator. In fact, this opening of the thermostat the first time the car is started from cold is what causes the little drop in coolant temp as the car is heating up, mentioned by GTAChris..

This is all assuming your coolant temp gauge is accurate, which often isn't the case though, and this complicates things further.

28-04-2008	#16 (Post Link)
Pud237 AO Platinum Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: North Yorkshire Posts: 14,504 Member car: Alfa 156	Re: Concerns with temperature Originally Posted by DelboyMatt If it helps ease your mind. I noticed that my GTV V6 was running at around 75 degrees normal driving, rising to 90 degrees with a bit of welly . Idled at around 90 degrees in winter, rising to 97/98 degrees at idle when its hot. Called my specialist today and he said that was perfectly normal. Apparently on the GTV (maybe the same on the 156 GTA?), the two stage fan kicks in at 92 degrees (1st phase) and 97 degrees (2nd phase). But there is a difference between the car not overheating and the car overcooling. Running at around 75 degrees isn't normal, as the thermostat should stay closed until 85 degrees. If you think your thermostat isn't stuck open, then hold your hand on your radiator and get someone to start the car - I bet the radiator will get warmer from the offset, rather than staying cold until the coolant temp reaches 85, which should then open the thermostat and allow the hot coolant to run into the cool radiator. In fact, this opening of the thermostat the first time the car is started from cold is what causes the little drop in coolant temp as the car is heating up, mentioned by GTAChris.. This is all assuming your coolant temp gauge is accurate, which often isn't the case though, and this complicates things further. Weekend toy: Alfa 156 3.0 24v V6, Silver with red leather, Q2 diff, GTA Teledials, headlights & inlet manifold, AutoDelta carbon intake, BMC CDA, decat pipe and SuperSprint rear box, FK coilovers, Dastek Unichip - my 245bhp beast! Gone but not forgotten: Alfa 156 2.4 JTD Veloce, Vela Blu, Angel 'mad map' & BMC CDA, Ferodo DS2500s - the fastest tractor in town! AO 'Bratpacker' No 5.