Recall 147 and 156s

[Nev]

Hi,

Was flicking through a French car
magazine today and read an article that
147s & 156s (and a Lancia model) are
being recalled due to a dodgy bonnet
catch that could fail and result in your
bonnet flipping up at speed.

Anyone else heard anything on the grapevine?

N.

[Wagon156]

The bonnet opening at speed happened to me on the motorway a month after getting my new 156SW. I've found that the bonnet can be reluctant to go back down and 'click' until the lever inside the cab has been pushed forwards.

I expect it is just needing some lube as it is simply a minor design flaw (not many with Alfa )

[David C]

There is no problem with the bonnet catch.
The recall (which will be done at a regular service) is to clean & grease the catch and instruct the owner on how to correctly close the bonnet.
The correct method of closing it is to drop it from about 30cm.
If you close it gently then push it down to lock it, not only will the catch not lock correctly but you will dent the bonnet as well.

[selespeed]

The bonnet catch needs annual maintenance to keep it functioning in a proper way. Apparantly dust, salt and anti freeze fluids make the catch fail in the long run.

I have seen the damage that can be caused by an opening hood at 130 km/h and it is not a nice sight (and in this particular case it was the dealership who had last closed the bonnet).

Alfas involved are:
147 - produced between September 2000 and October 2003 - chassis numbers between 3001296 and 3199283 and between 5001188 and 5115697
156 - produced between September 2000 and October 2003 - chassis numbers between 150357 and 247973 and between 1198067 and 1345245,

[Green Cloverleaf]

Thanks for that info Selespeed.

I think my car just escapes the recall, but I will check the chassis no. tonight (if I can remember where it is! ).

I always drop the bonnet to close it anyway, and check afterwards that there is no movement if I try to lift it.

Can't do that on the other half's Micra, though. The bonnet is made of tin foil, and it just bounces if you drop it . In fact, the catch is so tight that you have to really slam it shut .

[Nev]

Originally Posted by selespeed

The bonnet catch needs annual maintenance to keep it functioning in a proper way. Apparantly dust, salt and anti freeze fluids make the catch fail in the long run.

I have seen the damage that can be caused by an opening hood at 130 km/h and it is not a nice sight (and in this particular case it was the dealership who had last closed the bonnet).

Alfas involved are:
147 - produced between September 2000 and October 2003 - chassis numbers between 3001296 and 3199283 and between 5001188 and 5115697
156 - produced between September 2000 and October 2003 - chassis numbers between 150357 and 247973 and between 1198067 and 1345245,

Thanks for the details!

N.

[Toonster]

On the subject of bonnet catches, a big hoorah to Reg Vardy of Glasgow, who returned my 147 to me after its last service with the bonnet unlatched. I discovered it after I got home, having driven along a motorway to get there.

[Simes]

The GTA is in today for the brake mod,

and while its there they are doing the bonnet catch recall and one I'd never heard of:

The throttle stop recall, apparently the throttle stop can get dislodged allowing you
get the pedal more to the metal, this fixes this ...

Simon

[Wagon156]

Originally Posted by Toonster

On the subject of bonnet catches, a big hoorah to Reg Vardy of Glasgow, who returned my 147 to me after its last service with the bonnet unlatched. I discovered it after I got home, having driven along a motorway to get there.

Toonster, my earlier thread state dthat I had this problem and the bonnet did actually lift right up. This was after a visit to Arnold Clark in edinburgh and happened on the M8.

[PR]

Got the letter this morning for the 147 "Bonnet closure-Method and maintenance" Looks like a load of tosh to me. Its due in for its 24k service in the next month or so anyway. Havent got anything for the GTA though?

[Simes]

They never mentioned to me a method - just did the work....

hmmm

[Chris Nason]

Got my letter this morning.
I guess the wording has been carefully edited to cause no alarm.
The bit I want to know is what unit is not working. I suspect it is the cable jamming, preventing the release returning. I can't believe it's the catch sticking.
Then we have to know why the safety catch is not working?

[Simes]

Originally Posted by Chris Nason

Got my letter this morning.
I guess the wording has been carefully edited to cause no alarm.
The bit I want to know is what unit is not working. I suspect it is the cable jamming, preventing the release returning. I can't believe it's the catch sticking.
Then we have to know why the safety catch is not working?

There are two problems with the 156's bonnet release both of which I've had in my old 1.8 veloce but never in the GTA - probably because I've carried out the preventative maintenance to stop it.

1) Inside the car the mechanism can get trapped on the carpet if you look where the release mechanism is it's right up against the edge of the carpet, and the carpet can shift so the catch sticks partially open enough to stop the bonnet closing.

2) This is the subject of the recall - pre facelifted 156's have a grille that effectively funnels all the road spray,debris and crud into up around the bonnet catch - it when combined with the heating/cooling cycle of an engine bay is hostile enough to cause the mechanism to gunge up, stick and eventually rust. The effect of the recall is threefold.
a) lubricate all 156 bonnect atches to stop them gunging/rusting up
b) tell owners how to ensure the catch works even if it is slightly stiff -
the drop will overcome the gunge/rust friction.
c) change the service schedule to ensure the catches are properly lubricated at service times.

Effectively it's drop a dollop of grease on the catch and do it again every so often and tell the owner to shut the bonnet by dropping it rather than lowering it and pushing it shut. Oh and to check the bonnet is shut by trying to lift it afterwards

After having problems with my first 156 it's something I do check every couple of times I check the oil - just twang the catch whilst the bonnets up. If it looks stiff give it a squirt with WD40...

Oh and the saftey catch is working, it's just not designed to hold the bonnet shut at motorway speeds for any length of time - you should notice your bonnet moving if you are paying attention to your driving. The bonnet is acting like a wing and generates significant amounts of lift (compared to the weight of the bonnet and the strength of the saftey catch) given a forward velocity of 70+ MPH.

Simon

[DavetheChemist]

Hello
Is it likely that this service would be carried out by the sevice centres in New Zealand? I have just had a 40,000km service and no mention of this was made even though my 147's chassis number fits the bill. Should I call the service centre and ask them?

[Ken]

Originally Posted by Nev

Hi,

Was flicking through a French car
magazine today and read an article that
147s & 156s (and a Lancia model) are
being recalled due to a dodgy bonnet
catch that could fail and result in your
bonnet flipping up at speed.

Anyone else heard anything on the grapevine?

N.

Just got an official recall letter yesterday for my facelift 53 reg 156.

[Nev]

Yup I got the recall letter for this one too.