320touring picks up another number - Alfa 156 Content!
Discussion
I got bored on Sunday so took it upon myself to resolve one of the glaring errors in my motoring history..
I've driven a fair few Alfa Romeos in passing, either via working at car auctions, or through friends.
However I've never owned one until now!
Located 6 miles from my door and MOT'D til June, it was a 1.8 t spark. I paid a derisory sum and scarpered with it before the vendor could change their mind
Initial spotting:
Made good my escape with ra burd driving the 306..
Initial exterior views look promising
I also made a lame walk round video so I can list what needs doing- see if you can spot the deliberate(ahem) mistake..
https://youtu.be/-o1b8BLFkao
Hope you like it- seems a solid enough old bus, and was fun on the road home
I've driven a fair few Alfa Romeos in passing, either via working at car auctions, or through friends.
However I've never owned one until now!
Located 6 miles from my door and MOT'D til June, it was a 1.8 t spark. I paid a derisory sum and scarpered with it before the vendor could change their mind
Initial spotting:
Made good my escape with ra burd driving the 306..
Initial exterior views look promising
I also made a lame walk round video so I can list what needs doing- see if you can spot the deliberate(ahem) mistake..
https://youtu.be/-o1b8BLFkao
Hope you like it- seems a solid enough old bus, and was fun on the road home
Was the mistake "fuel filter" when you meant "fuel filter?"
Not a bad old bus, the 1.8 is generally the most reliable of the T.Sparks, almost as gutsy as the 2.0 but a little less complex, fundamentally a great engine. What's the floorpan like for rust? Knocking wishbones don't come cheap I'm afraid!
Not a bad old bus, the 1.8 is generally the most reliable of the T.Sparks, almost as gutsy as the 2.0 but a little less complex, fundamentally a great engine. What's the floorpan like for rust? Knocking wishbones don't come cheap I'm afraid!
ajb85 said:
Was the mistake "fuel filter" when you meant "fuel filter?"
Not a bad old bus, the 1.8 is generally the most reliable of the T.Sparks, almost as gutsy as the 2.0 but a little less complex, fundamentally a great engine. What's the floorpan like for rust? Knocking wishbones don't come cheap I'm afraid!
Aye - virtual points to you on the deliberate mistake frontNot a bad old bus, the 1.8 is generally the most reliable of the T.Sparks, almost as gutsy as the 2.0 but a little less complex, fundamentally a great engine. What's the floorpan like for rust? Knocking wishbones don't come cheap I'm afraid!
It appears to have had welding in the past, based on the mot history.
the 1.8 is ok, but works for its living in a car of this size. chassis seems nice bar the front end knocks- will need to investigate it further
320touring said:
Aye - virtual points to you on the deliberate mistake front
It appears to have had welding in the past, based on the mot history.
the 1.8 is ok, but works for its living in a car of this size. chassis seems nice bar the front end knocks- will need to investigate it further
Sqeeking / creaking tends to be wishbones/bushes. Knocking/clonking is normally drop links.It appears to have had welding in the past, based on the mot history.
the 1.8 is ok, but works for its living in a car of this size. chassis seems nice bar the front end knocks- will need to investigate it further
I should know, i replaced them all more than once on my 2.0 ts!
If you are anywhere near the south east, i would recommend Alfa Workshop (Jamie Porter) in Royston, i made a 3 hour round trip for servicing etc and still saved £££ after fuel etc. They know what they are doing and fixed price servicing means you know the score before you start. I would buy another alfa just so that i could use them again lol!
JFReturns said:
Hopefully the clonks aren't caused by front anti rollbar bushes like mine, as the whole unit needs replacing and sub frame dropped..... Getting mine done Thursday as its driving me mad.
as you say thebushes look much more work than the droplinks- should know more by the weekendI had a 1.8TS as my first Alfa....bought from a pal. It had 114,000 0n when I bought it, and I used it as my daily car for about 2 years. As has been said, first thing to do is to find a decent Alfa specialist....mine is probably too far away from you : near Durham !
I tell everyone who buys a 156; it pays to get the suspension 4 wheel aligned otherwise you will miss out on the amazing handling that these cars are capable of when set up correctly. They are just so well balanced.
Other things....with the TS engine, always make sure that the oil level is topped up to the max mark. They do use oil, but it has to be up to the level ! And I am sure that you will be aware that Alfa originally specced the cam belts for 70K miles, but they then changed that to every 36,000 !
And I managed to find a secondhand stainless cat back exhaust for mine ( a Cybox which was really good ) and that made the TS make a wonderful noise on full throttle ( IIRC they rev up to about 7K rpm. )
I liked mine so much I honestly regret selling it ( and of all the cars I have ever had that is the only one !)....but I replaced it with a 2005 156 150 JTDM ( remapped)
I still miss the sound and response of the 1.8 TS ( had about 145BHP )
I tell everyone who buys a 156; it pays to get the suspension 4 wheel aligned otherwise you will miss out on the amazing handling that these cars are capable of when set up correctly. They are just so well balanced.
Other things....with the TS engine, always make sure that the oil level is topped up to the max mark. They do use oil, but it has to be up to the level ! And I am sure that you will be aware that Alfa originally specced the cam belts for 70K miles, but they then changed that to every 36,000 !
And I managed to find a secondhand stainless cat back exhaust for mine ( a Cybox which was really good ) and that made the TS make a wonderful noise on full throttle ( IIRC they rev up to about 7K rpm. )
I liked mine so much I honestly regret selling it ( and of all the cars I have ever had that is the only one !)....but I replaced it with a 2005 156 150 JTDM ( remapped)
I still miss the sound and response of the 1.8 TS ( had about 145BHP )
day 1 commuting ended at 58.5 miles with no new faults..
Current Fault list
some suspension bangs
running cool
fuel flap not latching
inoperative remote central locking
inoperative rev counter
potential blown bulb (to be checked)
inoperative heated rear screen
air con needs gas
missing trim panels on interior
radio not on switched live
creak from seat
All in all, no major problems-should be work throughable..
Day 2 started like this:
Wish me luck!
Current Fault list
some suspension bangs
running cool
fuel flap not latching
inoperative remote central locking
inoperative rev counter
potential blown bulb (to be checked)
inoperative heated rear screen
air con needs gas
missing trim panels on interior
radio not on switched live
creak from seat
All in all, no major problems-should be work throughable..
Day 2 started like this:
Wish me luck!
Day 2 ended with 141.4 miles on the clock.
Car was fine, so I decided to try sorting an issue
Original Fault list
some suspension bangs
running cool
fuel flap not latching
inoperative remote central locking
inoperative rev counter
potential blown bulb
inoperative heated rear screen
air con needs gas
missing trim panels on interior
radio not on switched live
creak from seat or 2.
solved
headlight bulb
rear screen (partial)
Found
Inoperative sidelights
wired relay light
Running adjuster motor
Cumulative Score +1 Fault
First up, heated rear window.
Pulled the 30a fuse (bottom right of main fuse box under steering wheel)
Not blown, so onto checking the relay.
Ignition and press the button, relay can be heard clicking.
final port of call was the connector in the boot- pulled cleaned and reseated-will see how it goes.
May need a meter to identify if it is still not working.
Next up, blown bulb:
Pass side full/main beam was not working.
Popped the bonnet and that is when the fun started
...
This bulb was hidden under a relay cover, and came on with the ignition.
I stripped it out, and traced a wire going back to the bulkhead..
with that done (and the car still starting ok) it was time to investigate the bulb.
Looks like the bulb was disconnected, and earth was off.
moreover, both sidelights do not have bulbs.
Reconnected the bulb and had a win!
At the same time, one of the headlight levelling motors was running constantly,.
so time to disconnect it
Huzzah!
Car was fine, so I decided to try sorting an issue
Original Fault list
some suspension bangs
running cool
fuel flap not latching
inoperative remote central locking
inoperative rev counter
potential blown bulb
inoperative heated rear screen
air con needs gas
missing trim panels on interior
radio not on switched live
creak from seat or 2.
solved
headlight bulb
rear screen (partial)
Found
Inoperative sidelights
wired relay light
Running adjuster motor
Cumulative Score +1 Fault
First up, heated rear window.
Pulled the 30a fuse (bottom right of main fuse box under steering wheel)
Not blown, so onto checking the relay.
Ignition and press the button, relay can be heard clicking.
final port of call was the connector in the boot- pulled cleaned and reseated-will see how it goes.
May need a meter to identify if it is still not working.
Next up, blown bulb:
Pass side full/main beam was not working.
Popped the bonnet and that is when the fun started
...
This bulb was hidden under a relay cover, and came on with the ignition.
I stripped it out, and traced a wire going back to the bulkhead..
with that done (and the car still starting ok) it was time to investigate the bulb.
Looks like the bulb was disconnected, and earth was off.
moreover, both sidelights do not have bulbs.
Reconnected the bulb and had a win!
At the same time, one of the headlight levelling motors was running constantly,.
so time to disconnect it
Huzzah!
JFReturns said:
It's due one in time if not miles - every 3 years, changed from 5 iirc. Mines had four cambelt changes 
Mine ran cool, replaced sticky thermostat and now fine. Might be worth cleaning it before buying a new one.
cheers for the info re the Stat - I may give it a flush out at the weekend.Mine ran cool, replaced sticky thermostat and now fine. Might be worth cleaning it before buying a new one.
Cambelt I'm no fussed by at the moment- will check it at the weekend and see what needs doing -if its a keeper I'll organise it soon
Day 3 finished with 296.5 miles on the trip, and just over 1/4 of a tank left.
It started out in an unnervingly familiar manner:
I switched on the heated rear screen and cleared the rest of the car.
10 mins later (whilst dropping ra burd off at the station) I had to resort to a 'more manual' method of rear screen clearing
Not a new fault - just a failure to resolve an existing one!
Onwards and southwards! 75 miles or so to Lockerbie covered in good time - the seats are plenty comfortable for the longer run.
I got to the local shop for an 'arty' pic
5 mins later it had a crowd of admirers
A damning comment on the human condition, eh?
business was attended to, then a leisurely schlep up the road commenced. Again, comfortable, quiet and refined. That said, some actual heat would be a treat - cool running is now the #1 enemy.
The final activity of the day was showing a Defender who is boss of the OMGOFFROADZ
A good day all in
It started out in an unnervingly familiar manner:
I switched on the heated rear screen and cleared the rest of the car.
10 mins later (whilst dropping ra burd off at the station) I had to resort to a 'more manual' method of rear screen clearing
Not a new fault - just a failure to resolve an existing one!
Onwards and southwards! 75 miles or so to Lockerbie covered in good time - the seats are plenty comfortable for the longer run.
I got to the local shop for an 'arty' pic
5 mins later it had a crowd of admirers
A damning comment on the human condition, eh?
business was attended to, then a leisurely schlep up the road commenced. Again, comfortable, quiet and refined. That said, some actual heat would be a treat - cool running is now the #1 enemy.
The final activity of the day was showing a Defender who is boss of the OMGOFFROADZ
A good day all in
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