Alfa Romeo Owners Club of Australia Forum

Hi Guys,

I just joined the club and read some great posts about Alfas (I'm a first time owner)

I recently bought a 2004 156 selespeed and within 2.5 months I've spent over $4,000 in repairs.
The dealer I bought the car only contributes to the first $1,000 only on warranty (dodgey people)
I replaced the gearbox actuator because it was leaking and now I have a clunking sound when I'm in low gear and driving off from first gear. sounds expensive!
I also have a temperature guage which stays around the first quarter but when on a red light or stopped for a long time, the temperature suddenly goes past 90 and then back down to 50 and up again etc


From your experiences with Alfa, can someone please advise whether my clunking noise (suspecting input shaft bearing) and temperature is a big problem?


Cheers!

Hi Easside

I feel for you re your problems encountered so soon into ownership with your 156.  I bought a 2003 JTS sportwagon last November from a dealer in Sydney, I live in Hobart so am on my own re the cost of repairs.  So far plus some 5-6km later, touch metal/leather I have had no problems.

However, while I have no knowledge of the selespeed issues you are talking of, I would most definitely get that and the temperature guage problem checked out as quickly as you can.

Re the temperature problem, from past experiences it could be a number of issues.  Obviously the worst being a head gasket problem.  The tell tale signs being oil in water or water in oil - therefore check both the radiator & overflow bottles, plus dipstick and oil filer cap.  If you have brown-milky oil, froth under the caps etc it is headgasket problem.  You can also pressure test for a leaking gasket, and lastly if you hear water bubbling in the radiator after you turn the engine off this also is a sign that the head gasket is about to go.

It, however, could be an electrial problem eg temperature sensor or alternatively a problem in the dash, or the computer.  156s have been known to have a number of faulty gauges, warning lights etc which are computer related.

Hopefully someone with greater knowledge of 156s will be able to perhaps offer you more definitive advice and perhaps advice on where to take your car to get it checked out properly.   Goodluck and hopefully it won't be too expensive.  Cheers Dave

Not sure what area you live in but how about checking out our sponsors page.  There are a few there.   

Get a quote and an idea of what needs to be done but more importantly getting the cars systems analysed by a professionals like Lance Dixon in Doncaster who know the car is essential.

From experience with previous cars, you want to know has to be done, how much and when - how urgent.

Cheers.

Cool, Thanks guys for the advices and tips.

I'll keep you updated and hopefully I can help future owners if they have the same problems.

Fingers crossed!