Alfa 156 V6 Running Hot!?!

[kieronmd]

I recently bought a 2001 156 2.5 V6 and I dont know if its just me but it seems to be running very hot. By hot I mean the temp gauge is nearly always in the last 1/4 (above 90deg with is the middle) and both fans are constantly blasting away like mad.

Is this a trate of the V6 or is there a problem?

Before you ask no havent been thrashing it about and its only been 22deg max since I've had it :)

[Mon Ami Mate]

To the best of my knowledge this is another TADTS. My 156 has appeared to run alarmingly hot in warm weather ever since new, especially with the A/C blasting inconsequentially away...

Various dealers and specialists have told me to ignore it unless it gets into the red zone.

[comdiver]

All i can say is that on my V6 156 with almost 84k on the clock it always runs below 90 usually just over the first quadrant unless in heavy traffic or after a hard thrash it only just gets to 90.

[number 46]

Mine in traffic on a hot day runs just a few mm's over 90 on the gauge. It did run hotter but that was because the high speed (there are 2 fans) cooling fan relay had gone. Have heard that the water pump vanes are plastic and can get worn causing probs. the pump can be replaced with a metal vaned version which is better.

[dr chuff]

If the water pump (plastic) impellor has broken, the fans can whirr for all they like without doing much cooling. It is a weakness on the 156s.
Mine runs around 90 at hottest.

DrC

[kieronmd]

Spoke to the dealer since posting. The pretty knowledgeable guy (who runs a V6) said its probably the rad or the plastic pump, but the temp shouldnt be that high.

Back to the Garage for warranty fix!!

[Mon Ami Mate]

Update - mine's just been diagnosed with water pump failure, which is apparently why it has been running progressively hotter. Apparently they have plastic impellors that are known to melt after a few years (!). I'm having it replaced on Saturday...

[kmd]

My dealer replaced the Rad and the thermostat and it seems to have done the job.

[Mon Ami Mate]

Mon Ami Mate said:

Update - mine's just been diagnosed with water pump failure, which is apparently why it has been running progressively hotter. Apparently they have plastic impellors that are known to melt after a few years (!). I'm having it replaced on Saturday...

Update to the update. It wasn't the water pump, so they tried the thermostat. It wasn't the thermostat so they are replacing the radiator. There's nothing mechanically wrong with the car, they just can't work out why it's running so bloody hot!

[Mon Ami Mate]

Mon Ami Mate said:

Mon Ami Mate said: Update - mine's just been diagnosed with water pump failure, which is apparently why it has been running progressively hotter. Apparently they have plastic impellors that are known to melt after a few years (!). I'm having it replaced on Saturday... Update to the update. It wasn't the water pump, so they tried the thermostat. It wasn't the thermostat so they are replacing the radiator. There's nothing mechanically wrong with the car, they just can't work out why it's running so bloody hot!

Update to the update to the update. Apparently the radiator literally fell apart when it was removed. The car has only done 73,000 miles, so I'm not sure why this should be, and I'm a bit annoyed that it wasn't diagnosed at the 72,000 mile service. Anyway, all is apparently well again...