Alfa 156 2.4 jtd

[cerbielee]

Hi all, test drove this today and quite liked it! a couple of questions though before i buy!
The temp gauge reads just over 50 degrees at all times! even in traffic it didnt go up much! could this be thermostat? and how much to replace?
2,the bite point was high on the clutch but no signs of slipping! should i be warey? and how much for a clutch?
3,a rumbling knocking noise from passenger rearside over some bumps!
4, on a 20 mile round trip only managed 30 mpg on the computer! could this be the thermostat issue?
sorry about all the questions fellas but 50/50 about this car?
any replies greatly apprieciated,
thanks in advance
Lee
oh £1500 2002 02 plate 104k full history1 does that sound ok?

[DamienB]

cerbielee said:

Hi all, test drove this today and quite liked it! a couple of questions though before i buy!
The temp gauge reads just over 50 degrees at all times! even in traffic it didnt go up much! could this be thermostat? and how much to replace?

It could be, or it could be the sender is duff, or the gauge. You can't tell unless you plug it into some diagnostic software and see what temperature the ECU is reporting. Mine reads between 50 to 70 at all times but is about 20 higher than that according to the ECU, i.e. thermostat working fine. Budget 150 quid for a replacement if needed - 90 quid or so for the part, and it's a bh to get to.

cerbielee said:

2,the bite point was high on the clutch but no signs of slipping! should i be warey? and how much for a clutch?

Yes, be very wary, at that mileage it's bound to need doing soon. Anywhere from 500 to 650 depending on who you go to.

cerbielee said:

3,a rumbling knocking noise from passenger rearside over some bumps!

Par for the course, suspension is ste (in terms of longevity) on all these cars. Chuck a couple of hundred quid at the noise and it goes away.

cerbielee said:

4, on a 20 mile round trip only managed 30 mpg on the computer! could this be the thermostat issue?

Maybe, depends what sort of driving you were doing but I've never seen below 37 on mine and that's driving it foot down - get 45 now on average, and long journeys at a steady 70 or (cough cough) gets it just about at 50.

cerbielee said:

oh £1500 2002 02 plate 104k full history1 does that sound ok?

They're selling low for a reason. You'll probably end up spending twice that once you've done the clutch etc. When was cambelt last done? Should have had one at 72K or 2005, and then again in 2008.

[cerbielee]

Hi Damien, thanks for the detailed reply! many thanks!
The car is absolutely stunning condition, all electrics work! lots of service history,all alfa till 72k then alfa specialist, untill last one Kwick fit lol! cambelt has been done fairly recent! i tied to get clutch to slip in all gears but was ok,pulls strong! seen a clutch assembly on ebay for £182 plus fitting! is the thermostat at the front of the engine or rear? could possibly do it myself? i was driving normal 95% of the time! 30 mpg??? owner recons she gettin 55 on a run!
Not sure to walk away but at 1500 for the jtd seems good price as i have looked on autotrader and there over 2k easy!
i hate dilemars,
thanks again
Lee

[DamienB]

cerbielee said:

Hi Damien, thanks for the detailed reply! many thanks!
The car is absolutely stunning condition, all electrics work! lots of service history,all alfa till 72k then alfa specialist, untill last one Kwick fit lol! cambelt has been done fairly recent! i tied to get clutch to slip in all gears but was ok,pulls strong! seen a clutch assembly on ebay for £182 plus fitting! is the thermostat at the front of the engine or rear? could possibly do it myself? i was driving normal 95% of the time! 30 mpg??? owner recons she gettin 55 on a run!
Not sure to walk away but at 1500 for the jtd seems good price as i have looked on autotrader and there over 2k easy!
i hate dilemars,
thanks again
Lee

Stat is on the right of the engine but buried beneath pipes and you need the battery tray out to really get to it too. Has these ridiculous clips around the pipe it's in that need cutting off and replacing with jubilees so it's a time consuming job. Pop over to the alfaowner.com forums and you'll see how many JTD owners try out diagnostic software and find their stats are OK but the sender or gauge is duff - in fact don't think there's been a single one who's actually tried the software route and found that the stat itself was really dead.

Clutch kit price sounds about right, the fitting will be a lot though as it's a lengthy job.

Assume the Kwik Fit service involved opening the bonnet, a sharp intake of breath, polishing the oil filter cover and nothing else - so the car will need a proper service somewhere you trust. If the cam belt is recent and not a Kwik Fit job, I'd certainly risk it but put aside some money for the clutch when it goes next week...!

[Jumpy Guy]

Also, bear in mind the fact that when you do the clutch, the dual mass flywheel often needs doing..

not unheard of for a clutch, Dual mass, and labour to be circa £900......

[dave_s13]

Do you fancy sepnding a bit (i.e. a lot) more and buying my 2005 156 SW 2.4JTDm?

It looks lovely but I want something with a bigger boot and a slightly softer ride.

[cerbielee]

dave_s13 said:

Do you fancy sepnding a bit (i.e. a lot) more and buying my 2005 156 SW 2.4JTDm?

It looks lovely but I want something with a bigger boot and a slightly softer ride.

I would love it Dave but a budget of 2k,my missus does alot of motorway and where she parks dont want an expensive car as they have a habbit of getting scratched bumped ect! hence cheap motor with decent mpg and good on motorways! if its that money then yeah lol
Cheers!

[dave_s13]

cerbielee said:

dave_s13 said:

Do you fancy sepnding a bit (i.e. a lot) more and buying my 2005 156 SW 2.4JTDm?

It looks lovely but I want something with a bigger boot and a slightly softer ride.

I would love it Dave but a budget of 2k,my missus does alot of motorway and where she parks dont want an expensive car as they have a habbit of getting scratched bumped ect! hence cheap motor with decent mpg and good on motorways! if its that money then yeah lol
Cheers!

2k you say, what's your misses like? ....no don't even go there

Mine is probably somewhere near 5-6k so not to worry. It sounds like if you bought the one you've detailed it would blow your 2k budget very quickly with ther bits that need doing.

Also bear in mind Alfa 156's always have at least one thing wrong with them at any one time. As soon as one little thing is sorted something else will fall off or cease to function. It stops being endearing after about 2 weeks.

[Eviltad]

I have recently been considering various diesel estates for my commute (Leeds - Liverpool twice a week) and quite fancy a 2.4 jtd sportwagen. (Also in mix are 330D, SAAB 9-3 2.2).

Bearing in mind my lack of Alfa Experience (none) would a 156 make a good choice for a reliable, fuel efficient vehicle for motorway miles or would it be a money pit?

[Reedy156]

Eviltad said:

I have recently been considering various diesel estates for my commute (Leeds - Liverpool twice a week) and quite fancy a 2.4 jtd sportwagen. (Also in mix are 330D, SAAB 9-3 2.2).

Bearing in mind my lack of Alfa Experience (none) would a 156 make a good choice for a reliable, fuel efficient vehicle for motorway miles or would it be a money pit?

Totally depends on the car. Some people will never have a problem, but most likely you will at some point. Just remember that an Alfa is bought because you want an Alfa... not a BMW, Audi or SAAB and the like, you want an Alfa. If you look after one, ie, make sure that when you buy it has FULL history including the belts and water pump etc, and you stick to the service intervals, make sure ALL fluids under the bonnet are checked you should be fine... there is no nicer feeling than driving an Alfa and the 156 is a very pretty car. The 10v JTD is the one to go for as the later ones (20v) have GM gearboxes and driveshafts that are made from cheese!...

It will go 40+mpg on a run, is VERY tunable and the handling on the Veloce (sporty one!) is sublime... will be looking for another 2.4 JTD very soon to replace the wifes car!....

I personally love them so happy hunting nd if you get over to the Alfaowner.com website there are buying guides and a classified section...

Edited by Reedy156 on Tuesday 2nd March 13:58

[dave_s13]

I'm going to sell mine very shortly.

It's as described above but is the 20v - I think the cheesy driveshaft thing is overstated tbh.

I bouoght mine from liverpool and it did 53mpg on the way home to Leeds

I'll be pricing it at around £6750.

PM me for details if you want 1st dibs.

[Red Firecracker]

Eviltad said:

I have recently been considering various diesel estates for my commute (Leeds - Liverpool twice a week) and quite fancy a 2.4 jtd sportwagen. (Also in mix are 330D, SAAB 9-3 2.2).

Bearing in mind my lack of Alfa Experience (none) would a 156 make a good choice for a reliable, fuel efficient vehicle for motorway miles or would it be a money pit?

Just gone from a Saab 9-3 to a 156 1.9JTDm Veloce Sportwagon. Blimey they're good. Yes, it leaks a little oil. Yes, the brakes are crap (shot discs and soft pedal). Yes, the drivers side climate rotary knob has a mind of it's own but I can safely say that I now 'get' Alfa. (and it goes into the garage Thursday to have the niggles sorted).

The Saab did everything I asked of it without question. It was wafty when needed, a bit raucous when needed but untimately it was a touch un-involving. The Alfa however is a whole different kettle of fish. I love it.

[Eviltad]

Tricky. As I've just posted on GG I want something thats ultimately interesting but as it will just be for the commute I dont want something thats a pain in the arse as well.

The Mini Cooper S should stay as my interesting car.