156 v6 what to look out for
Discussion
Common problems across all 156's:-
Rear bushes perish with time
Front wishbones upper/lower wishbones squeak (front uppers are £100 a side fitted normally)
Air bag light can sometimes come on, just needs the connector pushing together under the seat and reset using the Alfa computer.
At this age/mileage, you might be looking at a new clutch sometime soon
No concerns with rust on 156's
Check oil level
Cambelt/water pump (see below)
Service history!
V6 related:
Very sturdy unit, but you need to ensure that cambelts have been changed on time (72k or 5 years, whichever comes first)and I think the 2.5 V6 had a plastic waterpump, so you might need to change this to a metal one if it hasn't already been done.
If the 2.5 is anything like the 3.0 V6 I had, then radiators can crumble with age and oil cooler pipes can start to leak.
I can't think of anything else from the top of my head, if it has been maintained through the years, much of this should already be done
Rear bushes perish with time
Front wishbones upper/lower wishbones squeak (front uppers are £100 a side fitted normally)
Air bag light can sometimes come on, just needs the connector pushing together under the seat and reset using the Alfa computer.
At this age/mileage, you might be looking at a new clutch sometime soon
No concerns with rust on 156's
Check oil level
Cambelt/water pump (see below)
Service history!
V6 related:
Very sturdy unit, but you need to ensure that cambelts have been changed on time (72k or 5 years, whichever comes first)and I think the 2.5 V6 had a plastic waterpump, so you might need to change this to a metal one if it hasn't already been done.
If the 2.5 is anything like the 3.0 V6 I had, then radiators can crumble with age and oil cooler pipes can start to leak.
I can't think of anything else from the top of my head, if it has been maintained through the years, much of this should already be done
Definitely check that the cambelt has been done. If there is no record then factor £600 in to the purchase to get it done. Whilst the car in question has only just exceeded the mileage limit for a cambelt change it is due a second based on age.
I bought an almost 10 year old 2.5V6 earlier this year. It had done only 44k miles but had never had the cambelt done. First job was the cambelt and water pump (which was original plastic and about to fail). I ended up £750 lighter but that was factored in to the price I paid so still ended up with a cracking motor for well under £2k.
I bought an almost 10 year old 2.5V6 earlier this year. It had done only 44k miles but had never had the cambelt done. First job was the cambelt and water pump (which was original plastic and about to fail). I ended up £750 lighter but that was factored in to the price I paid so still ended up with a cracking motor for well under £2k.
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