Life with a 156

Hey Roger, the undertray can be a nightmare, mine is currently off as it catches and ground clearance is better, and the engine definetly runs cooler, usually its the mountings that break/disappear and then the tray starts to sag in the middle, you can get metal ones, but I wouldn't bother, spend the cash on fuel and enjoy the 156 for what it is meant for..
And when ever I get out of mine I have to turn around for another look, and its been mine for over 12 months now
In fact the only time I haven't felt 100% good about my car, is when I pulled up outside my mates as he parked his imaculate black Carrera 4 S, and my car was filthy , still I know he likes Alfa's... In fact I am organising a bit of a run, me in my 156, Trevor in the 911, my younger Bro in his 944 his neighbour in his Boxster and possibly another guy in a Pontiac GTO- Plus anyone else who has a car that isn't for the Herd Any takers?

if you are coming up near chester ill join in

Hi I bought a Alfa manual on CD off ebay. It is of some help. I can probably make you a copy if you are interested. I also found the following web site very handy. I even managed to change an upper wishbone by following their step by step instructions. http://www.alfaworkshop.co.uk/alfa_m...e_guides.shtml Nothing has fallen off so far so it was very helpful. btw my e-mail is marcusosullivan@yahoo.com

Annoyed with the Alfa now, should have been ready for its MOT now the air intake is sorted, but the flaming fans are playing up again

See here if you think you can help me out:

http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/alfa-...ml#post1885891 (Radiator fans don't come on)

Easy Pud-
Right do the fans work, ie directly wired to the battery?
Resistor is removed- no issues there
Did you remove the aircon ?
I am wondering if you did you may have removed a switch, and left the circuit permanantly open?
After all the aircon does put the fans on.
Have you checked the fuses, I know its obvioous, but worth going through again
As are the relays
Did they work while the car was in bits? Did you put all the plugs back in?
In the relay box behind the battery there are three relays the small one in the middle is the second fan speed, and the big one in the middle on the other row is the 1st fan speed
There are three fuses for the engine fans
One (fuse 6 40amp) next to the battery
two between the inner wing and the brake res. these are 1 and 2 both 40 amps
This is from my handbook not experience but I hope it helps-
Given your motors tendancy to run hot, I would consider a switch any way.
Oh have you checked for power at the fans, if they are -switched.....
Good luck pal

Originally Posted by jason156

Right do the fans work, ie directly wired to the battery?

Yep..

Originally Posted by jason156

Resistor is removed- no issues there

Could be the connections I made to bridge them though, so am checking those now.

Originally Posted by jason156

Did you remove the aircon ?
I am wondering if you did you may have removed a switch, and left the circuit permanantly open?
After all the aircon does put the fans on.

No, the aircon all went back in. Wasn't sure about what effects it would have on the belt-driven compressor/pump thing so I left it as is.

Originally Posted by jason156

Have you checked the fuses, I know its obvioous, but worth going through again
As are the relays
Did they work while the car was in bits? Did you put all the plugs back in?
In the relay box behind the battery there are three relays the small one in the middle is the second fan speed, and the big one in the middle on the other row is the 1st fan speed
There are three fuses for the engine fans
One (fuse 6 40amp) next to the battery
two between the inner wing and the brake res. these are 1 and 2 both 40 amps
This is from my handbook not experience but I hope it helps-
Given your motors tendancy to run hot, I would consider a switch any way.
Oh have you checked for power at the fans, if they are -switched.....
Good luck pal

I've just dug out my handbook so I am going to check all these now. As you say, it'd be nice to have them working, plus a switch.. I may well do it anyway.

Off for a play with the multimeter and some wires now, see what I can do..

The things we put up with to drive Alfa's eh? The Mondeo does have its appeal, as much as I hate the fecking thing it is actually growing on me. The ability to go over speedbumps at 40mph is the main reason like

Cheers mate

Once she's up and running this will be soon forgotten

Sorted. Some daft bugger forgot to clip one of the connections in that I had to undo to get the air intake in.. D'oh!

Originally Posted by Pud237

Sorted. Some daft bugger forgot to clip one of the connections in that I had to undo to get the air intake in.. D'oh!

Was that one of my suggestions Pud?

Well done pal- get ripping now

Originally Posted by jason156

Was that one of my suggestions Pud?

Yeah, it was

Originally Posted by jason156

Well done pal- get ripping now

If only I could..

Will be in the Mundano a while longer I fear. Only gone and got bloody laid off work didn't I..

Originally Posted by Pud237

Yeah, it was



If only I could..

Will be in the Mundano a while longer I fear. Only gone and got bloody laid off work didn't I..

I thought you were a student?

Originally Posted by jason156

I thought you were a student?

I finished uni in May, I've been working at an engineering firm since then. They haven't had any new jobs in the last two weeks though, so last in, first out. Got a weeks notice paid though, so when I'm sat at home next week at least I'll be on paid time.

That sucks Pud- still its a tough old world out there - every business I know is running to stand still at the moment. The guys I work for are now in at 6AM and still there at 6.30PM just trying to keep our heads above water.
All the best in your search for a new Job

Originally Posted by nelly

if you are coming up near chester ill join in

Probably a run out to Aberdyfi / Tywyn Via some nice roads - But if we get up that way... Or you come our way

im ok to caernarfon after that im lost

Originally Posted by jason156

That sucks Pud- still its a tough old world out there - every business I know is running to stand still at the moment. The guys I work for are now in at 6AM and still there at 6.30PM just trying to keep our heads above water.
All the best in your search for a new Job

The boss doesn't pay himself a wage, which is partly the issue here. The work I was doing during the day meant he was finishing at 5 like everyone else, normally he'd be there til 8 o clock at night. So he was paying me to do work he could do himself for free.

I'm a bit gutted but I'll get another job, even if I end up stacking shelves or whatever.

Out and about with work today, down to the midlands, saw loads of Alfas, most noticeable was a Montreal coming west on the M54
Sadly I was in a works VW Pick up, so no waves
Saw a nice 156 selespeed (Tan leather - Dark blue or black) at Angle Ring in Tipton, Wanted to have a chat but was v. busy... Any way I never seem to talk to Alfisti, just people who own them Oh well one day

4 alfas 156 300,000 miles later wot a car wount have any thing eles may be a 159 next ????????????????????

You've done 300,000 miles in 4 156s? Wow!

Which ones have you had?

Had a scare on the way home tonight, nice right hander, coming out of it, powering on in fourth, when a fiesta coming the other way veered into my side of the road for no apparent reason
Luckily the handling of the 156 let me change course and avert a collision, but it was very close.... Be alert out there guys