Running Temperature?

[eddie_fb]

Hi everybody!

New here, but have just bought a 156 2.5 V6 this evening. Gorgeous car, am very in love! Have no idea if the stereo works, as I had the window down for all 40 miles home! All the better to hear that engine.....

Just one question (I'm sure there will be plenty of others) is it normal for the temperature guage to stay low? It barely moves above 50, whereas the middle of the guage is marked 90? Surely it would make sense to mark the guage so the normal running temp would be smack in the middle? Or is it just part of the lovable character?

I used to own an Alfa 33 1.5 so I'm used to Alfa electrical gremlins, and realise they are there to be worked around, not hated!

Cheers for your help,

Eddie

[SCOOTERMAN]

AFAIK, no; our GTA (OK, slightly different engine, but still...) gets to 90 (or thereabouts; it's been a while since I looked) and stays there. 50 degrees C is cold for any engine I'd say, never mind an engine that throws out as much heat as that V6...
Usual suspects I 'spose i.e. 'stat and sensor...

>> Edited by SCOOTERMAN on Monday 13th March 23:42

[pdV6]

Would expect nearer to 90°, but a fast cruise in cold weather would reduce it somewhat (70°-ish?)
Maybe time for a new thermostat?

[custardkid]

my 2.5 V6 always runs at 70ish (ist quarter mark) in normal driving and takes about 2miles to reach that temp
in town it will sit at 90 but always drop when you get going again

thats the same if its stinking hot or if its snowing


but then who's to say that the guages have any accuracy in their calibration???

custard

[DamienCBR]

i put a post on here about this a couple of weeks ago with a couple of other questions including the variator. The variator has been replaced and no more diesel noise on start up.

As regards to the temp i spoke to Medway Alfa who i have to say are one of the best dealers i have dealt with for a long time and asked the same question. "At this time of year it will run lower than 90", mine runs around 70 without moving much at all. It traffic it will go up to 90 then the fan kicks in and it comes straight back down.

D

[numbnuts]

My 156 v6 stays at around 50 while driving as well, must get around to trying a thermostat

[eddie_fb]

Just finished putting a new stat in the V6, and now seems to run at between 80 - 90 ish (after a long idle, and a 3 mile run) Was gonna change the oil too, but changing the air filter took 2 hours. Alfa must be having a laugh right?

[tr7v8]

DamienCBR said:

i put a post on here about this a couple of weeks ago with a couple of other questions including the variator. The variator has been replaced and no more diesel noise on start up. As regards to the temp i spoke to Medway Alfa who i have to say are one of the best dealers i have dealt with for a long time and asked the same question. "At this time of year it will run lower than 90", mine runs around 70 without moving much at all. It traffic it will go up to 90 then the fan kicks in and it comes straight back down. D

Yup I rated Medway Alfa as well, you're obviously a Medwayite, I'm in Lordswood.

>> Edited by tr7v8 on Thursday 23 March 13:47

[DamienCBR]

Actually in Maidstone now, but did grow up in Lordswood, used to live on Lower Lordswood Lane. I used to use Piper but personally i think they are crap compared to Medway. A breath of fresh air in term of service departments.

What are you driving now?

D

[sam gamgee]

Sorry to hijack things...
DamienCBR.....how much dollar did u pay for variator to be fitted pleeze?

[DamienCBR]

I do not know, i think it was done under warrenty.... Plus it is a company car so the bill would go direct to my company. I would phone Dan Childs at Medway Alfa and ask him, i think that he is the service manager down there.

Website address - www.medwayautos.co.uk/medwayautos.html

Hope this helps.

D

[sam gamgee]

Cheers Damien!!

Dave.

[tr7v8]

DamienCBR said:

Actually in Maidstone now, but did grow up in Lordswood, used to live on Lower Lordswood Lane. I used to use Piper but personally i think they are crap compared to Medway. A breath of fresh air in term of service departments. What are you driving now? D

Damien, Alfa 156 JTD SW went last year to Silverback Mike on here. Now got a 944 Porker which I can work on myself. 156 cost me £ 2,500 from Dec 04-May 05 on clutch, Airbag ECU & 96K service Plus discs & pads on the front. It also had 106K miles on it so I decided to get shot.
I was doing around 36K a year so had taken the Alfa from 37K to 106K in 20ish months.
I miss the Alfa like mad, not helped by going to Medway Alfa & looking & sitting in a 159!
But the 944 is good fun.
And heartily concur that Piper were mediocre!

[DamienCBR]

mmmmmmmmmmhhhhhhhhhh 159, i am hoping that will be the next company car!!