Car spewing oil front offside.

Originally Posted by mikealdren

Pomeo,
I've had te car for 6 years (I've done 116k of the 132k miles) so it doesn't owe me much!
It's been very reliable although a few things are starting to go wrong now - the question is do I change it or keep it. Any replacement will cost me a lot in depreciation so I'm going to try keeping it for a while. It runs beautifully although it does overheat in traffic (after 20 mins stationary) - new rad needed?

Mike

Mike, I've not read through all the above posts, but if it hasn't been mentioned before the water pump could be another problem, and also the radiator cap.

If it was the water pump I would have thought it would overheat whether you were in traffic or not.

That would depend on how poorly the waterpump is performing...

Pomeo,plenty of good useful info.here just had a look at my oil
cooler pipes, they are good apart from where they curve just
above the front o/s wheel, rusty and flaking,I have given them a good coating of hammerite ,but I wonder how high the rate of failure is
as they seem very vulnerable to road dirt,salt etc,thrown up by the front wheel,I dont' know whether it is a common problem peculiar
to Alfas,it is not something I have come accross before,pity they
dont' make them out of stainless steel!

Originally Posted by mikealdren

Pomeo,
I've had te car for 6 years (I've done 116k of the 132k miles) so it doesn't owe me much!
It's been very reliable although a few things are starting to go wrong now - the question is do I change it or keep it. Any replacement will cost me a lot in depreciation so I'm going to try keeping it for a while. It runs beautifully although it does overheat in traffic (after 20 mins stationary) - new rad needed?

Mike

Mike that is fantastic.I would say keep it but I am biased for the 166.

My 2 both overheated when I got them. the 2.5 at 86k miles and the 3.0 at 116k.You can change the radiator as I did on the 2 of them without removing the bumper BUT you have to gain access thro the grille to get at 2 bolts.It's apity you never got them to change it when they were doing the cooler.It would have been a doddle then.

the 3.0 (Lacey) was a pre reggie and 1 real owner from new till I got it around 116k.in 1 years running ive only had to do the radiator and oil cooler pipes.
The 2.5 pomeo has cost me radiator,timing belt (AS IT SNAPPED)and tensioners thermostat (As original had been removed to hide radiator problem) N/S door lock mechanism.(Had to put it into dealer as I couldn't get door open when I went to change it.(Boy did they have a problem)

How many times have you had your timing belt done?
Have you had any major problems?
As Mitch says if its the original radiator you'll be amazed at how rotten it is below the fan.

As Gary says may possible be slightly water pump related BUT leave that until you are getting your timing belt renewed.When mines overheated I just turned heater up full and openned a window.(good temp measure)


Vivian glad it helped. I was caught out but hopefully you and dougie have caught it in time.

Pomeo

Pomeo and other,
Thanks for the encouragement. I've just had a 2nd timing belt change and a new pump with cast iron impellers - it looks like the rad but I'll save that job for a while, it's ok most of the time.

The odd thing is that it seems to overheat but if I switch off and on again, it goes back to the correct temp immediately so I have suspected the sender unit or the guage as well - cluchinc at straws - I'm sure it must be the rad.

Mike

AARGH..Never got enough purchase on the cut down spanner.Slight seeping at this banjo.
So when doing oil n filter change out comes the alternator and poss the downpipe starter.

That's good Mike.She must be good for another 40K before next belt.
A new radiator would make a big difference.

Pomeo

Well in lacey went for her MOT.
Never fixed the spring as I have not fully checked her out since i bought her out since I bought her a year ago.Iv'e just driven her.
Told the Mot tester to give her a good going over..Expected a big list

She failed.
it was the spring and the skooser water ran out while checking the windscreen wipers.If I hadn't checked it on the way up it would have been fine.Now fully topped up.

Stripping out spring and waiting new one to arrive.

At least it is not a mega bill.

He also said who did your oil cooler pipes.I said I did . How did you get the banjo up the side.I said with great difficulty and expained.He said I would have refused to do a job like that.
So you were lucky Mike.


Pomeo

Is nothing easy on an Alfa?

Just spent the last 2 hours puting the new spring on the shock absorber.

Hope it goes back together easier than it stripped down that is weather permitting tomorrow.

If it does hopefully i can get a quick retest and that's it for another year .

When she passes she'll get her oil n filter changes and nip up the oil cooler banjo pipe.

All in all I've been lucky as no real expensive repair bill.
Pomeo

you have done well there with those oil cooler pipes,first job
I'm going to do on the new car is coat them with copious quantities
of hammerite,they are rust free and I want them to stay that way.
Just a thought ,new car 3.5 yrs old 32k.,I wonder what the v6
belt change is ,to be on the safe side,some say 36k.,Jamie Porter
says 60k. not sure on this one.

Vivian,
I had the first belt change at 72k (as per manual) but the next at 120k. I'm going to do it ever 60k now (if the car lasts that long).
Mike

Originally Posted by vivian 166

you have done well there with those oil cooler pipes,first job
I'm going to do on the new car is coat them with copious quantities
of hammerite,they are rust free and I want them to stay that way.
Just a thought ,new car 3.5 yrs old 32k.,I wonder what the v6
belt change is ,to be on the safe side,some say 36k.,Jamie Porter
says 60k. not sure on this one.

Vivian,
Alfa I am sure still say 72K.They only reduced it on the TS due to numerous premature failures.

My belt went at 86k.BUT it had never been changed.

The 3 litre was done at 60k by an independent by previous owner.

She is now at 119k and I'll be changing belt,tensioner, bearings and water pump soon before the really good weather comes and then it'll be out on the highways and byways.

You can never be sure when a belt will fail. Thanks to this forum I was able to advise my neighbour about her 147 and to get the belt done as it was about 44k.She told her "mechanic" who told her it wasn't needed until 72k. I hadn't seen her car for a week or so .Spoke to her yesterday and she said it has failed at midnight in Glasgow and car had to be recovered.So probably 60k is a good safe compromise.

Pomeo

Originally Posted by mikealdren

Vivian,
I had the first belt change at 72k (as per manual) but the next at 120k. I'm going to do it ever 60k now (if the car lasts that long).
Mike

Mike she should be good for at least 200k+

That's what I'm hoping for.

Pomeo

Shock absorber went back in easier than expected and she now has Mot.
Will now need oil n filter change and nip up banjo.
Pomeo

Pictures eventually added due to memory trigger caused by stu the flat.

1Lacey on ramp (Small).jpg

2 pipes n filter(Small).jpg

3 alternator n filter removed (Small).jpg

4 old pipes off (Small).jpg


NB don't try this at home unless you have valid insurance

5 balancing act (Small).jpg

6 alt n filter off(Small).jpg

Pics 7-12

7 old pipe (Small).jpg

8 banjo bolts pipes off (Small).jpg

9 not much room banjo (Small).jpg

10 easy bit new pipes (Small).jpg

11 new pipes fitted (Small).jpg

12 cheap fix no new cooler(Small).jpg



Pomeo

13 new pipes at oil filter(Small).jpg

14 new pipes (Small).jpg

15 at oil filter new pipes (Small).jpg


Better late than never..But as