A couple of questions about my 156.
Discussion
Hi all.
As in title, firstly, the heater is truly horrendous. Is this just character?
By horrendous, I mean a 10 minute delay between changing the temperature on the dial to an actual change in the cabin, turning the fan speed up to full blast does nothing to the amount of air coming into the cabin; it just makes twice the noise.
Secondly, the temperature of the engine never reaches 70 degrees at any point in the current weather. Even in fairly warm weather, the temperature reads 70, only increasing when in traffic. Is this normal or is there an issue somewhere?
Cheers all.
As in title, firstly, the heater is truly horrendous. Is this just character?
By horrendous, I mean a 10 minute delay between changing the temperature on the dial to an actual change in the cabin, turning the fan speed up to full blast does nothing to the amount of air coming into the cabin; it just makes twice the noise.Secondly, the temperature of the engine never reaches 70 degrees at any point in the current weather. Even in fairly warm weather, the temperature reads 70, only increasing when in traffic. Is this normal or is there an issue somewhere?
Cheers all.
robsco said:
As in title, firstly, the heater is truly horrendous. Is this just character? By horrendous, I mean a 10 minute delay between changing the temperature on the dial to an actual change in the cabin, turning the fan speed up to full blast does nothing to the amount of air coming into the cabin; it just makes twice the noise.
The air flow on mine was never brilliant, and the heater fan was pretty loud but it never had a problem warming the cabin up. It might be related to: By horrendous, I mean a 10 minute delay between changing the temperature on the dial to an actual change in the cabin, turning the fan speed up to full blast does nothing to the amount of air coming into the cabin; it just makes twice the noise.robsco said:
Secondly, the temperature of the engine never reaches 70 degrees at any point in the current weather. Even in fairly warm weather, the temperature reads 70, only increasing when in traffic. Is this normal or is there an issue somewhere?
Thermostat stuck open, mine was the same. Common problem and easy to replace. Once it's sorted keep an eye on the temp and make sure it doesn't rise too much in traffic (should sit around 90 generally and rise slightly in traffic, but not much) because the knackered stat on mine was masking the fact that the radiator was packed with crud and not cooling effectively.Thanks for the responses, thermostat it is. Regarding the heater, it doesn't have a problem heating or cooling the cabin as such, its the delay between me changing the temperature on the dial and an actual change which is confusing. Ie, I can have it on 20, pick Miss Robsco up who changes it to 24. Minutes go by before the actual change occurs. Once its occurred, the car is perfectly capable of heating and cooling. I'll put the fan speed down to Italian character 
The cabin air temperature sensor is behind the little grille thing on the centre console, above and left of the hazard lights switch. I think there is a little fan in there that sucks air in to sample the air temperature. It's possible your has either got a faulty little fan, or a fan full of dust and crud. Either way it'll be taking the temperature sensor longer than it should to sense the cabin temperature.
robsco said:
Thanks for the responses, thermostat it is. Regarding the heater, it doesn't have a problem heating or cooling the cabin as such, its the delay between me changing the temperature on the dial and an actual change which is confusing. Ie, I can have it on 20, pick Miss Robsco up who changes it to 24. Minutes go by before the actual change occurs. Once its occurred, the car is perfectly capable of heating and cooling. I'll put the fan speed down to Italian character
Agree with RicksAlfas - get the thermostat changed first. It would appear the thermostat on my Multipla is also sticking, and it too takes ages to change if you turn the heating up in the car. I'd assumed it was because there is so much piping between the vents and the engine, but this is my first winter with it - perhaps it is thermostat related.
So, I've ordered the thermostat and my local specialist is going to fit it on Thursday. I've heard stories about the car overfuelling as it's still cold, potentially leading to washing out bores/piston rings? Something like that anyway, so I may just leave her on the driveway until Thursday until she's sorted.
Chill... mine's been showing 70ish for over a year. The temp sender is duff, not the thermostat itself. Easily checked with FiatECUScan software - see: http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/alfa-147-156-and-gt...
robsco said:
I've heard stories about the car overfuelling as it's still cold, potentially leading to washing out bores/piston rings? Something like that anyway, so I may just leave her on the driveway until Thursday until she's sorted.
I wouldn't worry. It's probably been like that for thousands of miles! Just get an early oil change done if you're worried.(Bore wash is excess fuel running past the pistons, down the bores, and into the sump. Buggers the oil).
She's all finished now, had a great drive home. Sitting just below 90, steady as a rock. There is a noticeable difference in the engine too, it feels less "strangled" if that's the correct word, far more free revving; she pulls nearly as enthusiastically in 4th as in 2nd! Had the oil changed while she was in, and some attention to seized bolts around the airbox unit, to make the air filter easier to get at next time it's in. Chuffed!
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