Alfa 156 help!!!!

CharlieCroker

Hey,
I've got an Alfa 156 1.6. It's 2003.
Problem is that when I'm driving normally (Motorways, Regional rds, etc) the temperature guage doesn't seem to move off the bottom. When I get stuck in traffic, the guage starts to rise until, aafter about 20 mins, the thing starts overheating. The coolant is fine and the T-belt and waterpump were replaced 13k miles ago. I don't think the fan is kicking in when it overheats but how does this explain the temp not coming up in normal driving?
Could the waterpump be gone again?

robtri

CharlieCroker wrote: »

Hey,
I've got an Alfa 156 1.6. It's 2003.
Problem is that when I'm driving normally (Motorways, Regional rds, etc) the temperature guage doesn't seem to move off the bottom. When I get stuck in traffic, the guage starts to rise until, aafter about 20 mins, the thing starts overheating. The coolant is fine and the T-belt and waterpump were replaced 13k miles ago. I don't think the fan is kicking in when it overheats but how does this explain the temp not coming up in normal driving?
Could the waterpump be gone again?

Its an Alfa, anything could be wrong, but what a lovely car the 156...
I would think it was the termostat that was gone....

richardsheil

robtri wrote: »

Its an Alfa, anything could be wrong, but what a lovely car the 156...
I would think it was the termostat that was gone....

Usual sh1t .

Anything could not be wrong.

Your thermostat is definitely gone. Get it changed. Not expensive.

By the way there would be no reason for the fan to come on in the circumstances you describe. The car is cooling too much not too little.

OP says: "When I get stuck in traffic, the guage starts to rise until, aafter about 20 mins, the thing starts overheating."

Sounds like two issues to me:

1. Thermostat continuosly open, engine does not heat up when moving.
2. Cooling fan failure: When stationary eventually overheats.

The fan is probably controlled by ECU so it could turn out expensive. If so I'd just add an override switch in the cabin to switch it on if necessary.

ciarsd

It's your stat.

cjt156

ciarsd wrote: »

It's your stat.

100%
Get a cheap replacement from a motor factor & its just a DIY job to change it; 2 bolts and a little coolant for topping up.

CharlieCroker

Thanks a mill lads. I'll try that first so and see if it makes a difference.
NCT is next week, anyone know if that would cause a fail?

Anan1

CharlieCroker wrote: »

Thanks a mill lads. I'll try that first so and see if it makes a difference.
NCT is next week, anyone know if that would cause a fail?

I'm with the lads on the thermostat/fan diagnosis. I'd get it sorted straight away, if the engine overheats your head gasket is at risk. It's not an expensive job, but it's a critical one.

alias no.9

cjt156 wrote: »

100%
Get a cheap replacement from a motor factor & its just a DIY job to change it; 2 bolts and a little coolant for topping up.

Don't even bother with the cheap replacement from the motor factors, the original part is only about €35 and will be in stock at any fiat or alfa dealer. If it's never been changed before, the hose clips are a pain in the arse to open, get a small flat head screw and wedge it into the clip to open it and then use a long nose pliars to pull off the clip, this will save cuts to your fingers. Get some jubilee clips to replace the hose clips when you're refitting them.