Hello Everyone
I have wanted a European car for EVER and after turning 40, decided to just do it!!! Woohoo - midlife crisis here I am! An AR was the one I chose (grew up with a Peugeot fanatic mother so wasn't going there!) So, have bought a 2002 (Australian compliance but actually nov 2001 European) 156, 2.0. It is the lovely dark blue. Need some touch up paint and don't know how to find out the colour!! Is it one of the numbers on the compliance plate??? Is it Blu Vela or Capri Blue??? :) Am not a massive mechanical person but am pretty good for a female. Am loving my choice of car!
Paint colour name (and code) is usually on a sticker on the boot lid. Can't remember exactly where on a 156 though..
Cool thanks! Quick response!
Not in the boot and I did have a proper look!
I had a 99 model dark blue 156, I think it was called cosmos blue.
Our 2001 156 has a sticker on the side edge of the inner boot lid (if that makes sense)!
Spotted it for the first time only the other day.
Alan
On the right hand side on the boot lid, there is a sticker, not in the boot itself, unless its fallen off, you could go to a panel beating and spray painting store, where they have all the colors on file, and the good ones can mix up paint to suit your car, if you are just touching up, acrylic lauqer, will air dry quick and easy to apply, if they will mix you up at a minimum 500mlls, get some touch up bottles, with a built in brush, which are easier, than using a small tin and a brush, Colin.
Still no sticker...and I had a 'man look' this time! :) Will try the paint shop option or if worst comes to worst, the dealer option! Was just trying to avoid going to the city and hoping I could do it all by mail. If anyone comes up with any more ideas, please let me know. It may be cosmos blue.
Hmm. Should be on the boot lid, if not as uncle colin says it may have fallen off. You can try posting some photos here on the forum, although it's usually hard to be sure from a photo. Also paints do fade in ten years, so the original colour may not be a perfect match. If you're near Melbourne's northern suburbs, I'd recommend Paintmobile in High St Preston, I know they'll mix a perfect match to sample. Sounds like you're out of town though.
I'm nearer to Sydney! :D (actually not far out from there really) Know of any good AR places north of the boarder?
Check out the NSW division of the Alfa club: http://alfaclubnsw.org.au/ - click on General Information, then Businesses (can't give you a direct link sorry, due to retarded framesets). There are a few Alfa specialists who support the NSW club. Joining the club really is good value - lots of information, discount at supporting businesses, a magazine with loads of information for owners, and you can even join social drives or technical events.
Thanks so much for this Evan. Have looked up their site and have emailed one of their committee members about the club. You really are a "hero" member! I am so happy that I bought the AR. It's a beautiful car to drive and my 15 year old daughter is in seventh heaven now that she looks good in it! (and so am I) Sarah.
Another question - are AR's renowned for using tonnes of oil? My mechanic says so and I notice that another 'newbie' has posted a question about oils for his car. My mechanic recommended 10w30 oil so I bought some Nulon today but you were recommending a Penrite brand to the other guy. Is my oil OK or not? Haven't used it yet. It's just for top ups, not a complete change as the engine does leak a bit on the top.
Hey Evan, good to see you use Paintmobile in Preston, that guy has been matching and mixing paint for me for years, he is always spot on, i could tell you others not to go to, but i don't want to end up in court, hey Bellbird, you could try mailing your petrol cap to a paint place, thats what they usually match paint to, Colin.
Just checked the paint sticker on the 156, on the right side of the boot lid, next to tail light, its a DUPONT colour, Colin.
Ok, thanks. Will check when I have sunlight. If not, will try the petrol cap option. This is a very useful site. Thanks everyone for all your help. I am sure that I will have more 'issues' again. Mechanic is giving it the big check up on Tuesday so will find out what else is a problem. I know it seems to have a tail light problem. Need to replace the unit. Mechanic says that electrics are a common problem on AR's. I have noticed that it doesn't like idling as engine gets hot in traffic.
I don't think that modern Alfa's (e.g. newer than 1990ish) have any more electrical issues than any other make, so your mechanic's information may be a little out of date. Having said that - the taillights on my 156 did seem to go pop on a more regular basis than anything else, I think I changed them all a couple of times in five years-ish that I owned the car, which seemed a little excessive. Perhaps there is a design problem there. What problem do you have with the tail lights on your car?
I've noticed the abs plastic that makes up the bulb (lamp) holder is soft and can be damaged easily when changing the bulbs by fellas with big fingers (me), also the contacts can corrode and are not very springy. Easily cleaned and re-bent to work perfectly though.. Cheaper than a whole new light fitting.
The brake pedal switch is often an issue too. It has an automatic adjuster built in for wear which often, at the end of it's adjustment causes the brake lamps to flash or stay on (fail mode for the switch is on.. as opposed to nothing working, and nobody noticing until they hit you). It too can be reset easily when removed (twist, pull, unplug). no need to replace unless it's cactus.
We've had our 156 for six years now, its easily the most reliable car let alone Alfa, we've ever had.
Make sure you keep it topped up with the right oil (get in the habit of checking, it's designed to use oil!!)
Make sure it has a healthy battery (crazy symptoms can ensue with a dodgy/old battery)
Make sure the water pump, aux and cambelts and tensioners get done on time (critical!!)
... service it and occasionally wash her
Fantastic cars, bulletproof if maintained.
Evan - the tail light is very dim when driving at night and when the car is stationary, ignition is off, key is out, car is locked, it is still on! Have been told it is a wiring issue.
Craig - It is only the passenger side tail light so not a brake light issue, I think.
Oil - my mechanic recommended a 10w30 oil but no one seems to be recommending this in other posts. What do you think of 10w30? I will do take it to the snow a bit in winter.
The timing belt went before I owned it. Hope it won't be a long term engine issue.
Have already used extra cut cream polish (is this deadly stuff?) followed by a normal polish so will wash it occasionally!
I certainly know all about servicing European cars regularly and the effort one must go to - my mother has had a series of Peugeots since the 1974 504 model and she has had to travel five hours to the mechanic! (she does live in a rural area and the mechanic five hours away is the bees knees, apparently)
Okay then.
Dim taillight that won't go out on one side is known symptom for a bad/dry solder joint on an series of three ICs in the circuit that detects if a bulb has blown. This circuit is on/in the tacho. Simplest fix is to just replace the tacho, unless your mechanic has exceptional skill with soldering small electronics (highly unlikely).
This issue causes the battery to continually drain, which will eventually leave you stranded.
Do you know who fixed the engine after the cambelt fail, do you have a list of work done, warranty?
I not sure on which oil is best for twinsparks as I drive a diesel however it is written in the manual and the slam panel under the bonnet. Alfa knows best which weight oil to use in their engines, they spent millions developing it after all, just use what it says.
I've never cut polished mine, I have used clay however and that brings it up a treat.
As before, my car is a diesel. However I have run it in the snow (Scotland, Germany) and across the beach (Whitsundays), we now live in Brisbane. I've done no particular maintenance for either climate etc good tyres and normal servicing, these cars are designed for use in Europe primarily where it can be freezing cold and really hot throughout the seasons. Yes, it's really that a good a car, we brought it home with us.
Aircon is rubbish from new.
Gave all the codes on the compliance plate to Alfa Sydney and they came back and said that it is a cosmos blue and that they can post out a touch up pen. Thanks everyone for all your advice! Does anyone know if Alfa Parramatta are OK for servicing? They should be.
It is funny how in the sedan's the paint code/name is written on a sticker in the boot, in my '03 JTS wagon its on the compliance plate, in the engine bay. My car being Gabbiano blue (light metallic blue).
Re oils, 10w30 seems extraodinarily low grade. From memory I have used 10W40 but have seen recomendations for 10W60 for the JTS engine. Yes they do seem to use oil, but if you keep an eye on this, it should never be a concern.
Luckily for me, so far I have only had one minor electrical problem in 4 1/2 years ownership. I had a faulty rear electric window switch that needed replacing.
In terms of parts, places in the UK such as EB Spares are definitely worth checking out, as parts out here in Aus can be a little pricey and even with postage you could come out in front.
I have not needed to cut my paint as it is still in excellent condition. I have heard of the use of clay but wouldn't have a clue where to get it, (not out of the garden !!!!), and a good polish is always worth doing to protect your pride and joy.
Davidm - I'll swap the 10w30 oil for a 10w40 when I'm at the shop next. In the meantime, as I wanted the touch up pen, I asked ALFA about oils and the 'parts interpreter' came back with a most courteous and efficient response (I had given him my credit card details first) - I could buy a one litre Selenia Racing Synthetic Oil which he keeps "in stock at all times". So, am going to use that to begin with to give me time to swap the other one.
Thanks for telling me about EB Spares in the UK. My 17 year old son owns a MK1 Golf so he could use EB (probably knows about them already). Clay sounds like a good option too.
Craig_m - I have the receipt for the timing belt work. Don't know about warranty. Will get Tacho fixed re tail light and battery, water pump, aux and cambelts checked regularly.
Supposed to be working so better get back to it!
Sarah :)
I wouldn't worry about swapping the 10-30 oil, it should be ok, might use a tad more oil, remember 10-40 for Twin spark, 10-60 for JTS, both fully synthetic racing oil, from your favourite oil maker, when polishing the paint ALWAYS use the finest cutting polish, that is swirl and blemish remover or any fine burnishing non agresive cleaner that removes a minimum of paint, you are trying to remove all the rubbish embedded in the paint, and removing small scratches, and remember you remove big scratches with small scratches, then you put a wax over the top of the paintwork to protect it from the elements, i did a bit of damage to my first cars paintwork by using a 'no 2 cut' cleaner, it took out a bit of paint, and scratched the remaining, i am wiser now, and when your paintwork is in tip top condition, you can use a clay bar, i used one for the first time this year, oh my god, they are simply amazing the way they pull all the rubbish out of the paintwork and shine it up, the paint was so shiny, i couldn't rest the bottle on the roof, as it would just slide off, EB spares [egg & bacon] in the UK only do Alfa Romeo, and do it good, cam belt every 3 years or 50,000klms or whatever comes first, new water pump every second cam belt change, Colin.
Hi Col, just a really quick question, where do you get clay bar from? And is it suitable for say a car like mIne which has paint I excellent condition. My 156 does live outside all the time but I clean it regularly and ditto have kept the polish up to it. Have used Autoglym in the past and was very impressed by it.
I bought my claybar from Repco, my cars paintwork is in good condition, and when i claybarred it was so smooth, with no bits of rubbish caught in the paintwork, the claybar sounds like a lump of clay you rub over the paintwork, its not, its like a bit of plasticene that you polish the car with, just buy one and do it, and put some wax on it to protect the paint work, we have to keep our 156's looking good!, Colin.
I bought a Mequiars clay kit six or seven years ago from Repco/Supercheap/wherever it was on special.. still have half the clay, although this may be more representitive of how infrequently the sooty family wagon gets washed :) I use it with a spray bottle filled with water. Works a treat. Paint feels amazing afterwards (really, I need to get out more).
Re the Tacho... try Autolusso (http://"http://autolusso.co.uk/") for spares (second hand primarily) too.. they're fantastic and will no doubt get you the right tacho (http://"http://autolusso.co.uk/parts/used-alfa-parts.html#ecwid:category=1382048&mode=category&offset=24&sort=normal"), delivered to your home faster, $$cheaper and politer with more surety than any local wrecker could. Make sure you give them the cars VIN number so they can look it up on ePer (http://"http://eper.fiatklubpolska.pl/navi?SBMK=R&DRIVE=S&MAKE=R&COUNTRY=023&LANGUAGE=3&ALL_FIG=0&RMODE=DEFAULT&KEY=HOME&EPER_CAT=SP&GUI_LANG=3&ALL_LIST_PART=0&PRINT_MODE=0&PREVIOUS_KEY=HOME&SB_CODE=-1&WINDOW_ID=1") and match it perfectly.
Wow! You people are amazing! Your knowledge is INVALUABLE. Should be bottled!
Colcol - you are an absolute oracle! The paintwork looks worse since I used the cut and polish. I used a normal polish afterward. Maybe I didn't polish it so well???? Clay is definitely the go! Have to have it looking good for Sunday. Am going on a 'Sunday Drive' with the Canberra Chapter Alfisti! (except I travel from the complete opposite direction).
Craig_m - Thanks for the advice re tacho and Autolusso. Yes, it seems you do need to get out more! :D
Thanks col etc re the advice on claybar. Will get onto it, will also try it out on the other halfs beemer. She is not really into taking much care of its appearance. My job I guess !
The claybar is good for getting rubbish out of the paint, but for absolute scratch removal and shine, you need to use very fine polish, i use TURTLE brand swirl and scratch remover in a green bottle, i purchased it at Repco, and for the wax, to protect the paintwork, use a liquid wax, [any brand], that you rub on, wait for it to dry and then polish it off, i have a tin of PORZELACK, [from 1992], and the wax is solid, its hard work putting it on, harder work polishing it off, Colin.
Quote from: Bellbird on July 25, 2012, 06:24:05 AM
... Have to have it looking good for Sunday. Am going on a 'Sunday Drive' with the Canberra Chapter Alfisti! (except I travel from the complete opposite direction) ...
Oh dear! The pressure is on now ... Looks like Saturday might be busy for all of us.
We are impressed with the effort that you are going to, Bellbird. There should be a fair crowd there to welcome you though. Hope you enjoy your day.
ciao,
Peter.
Davidm - Don't be so sad about having to polish the Beemer. Didn't you know that a woman's place is in the SPAM and not in the garage! ;D
Peter - Oh well, not so bad. At least it revs things up for your club. :D
Lovely day out with the Canberra and Southern Highlands "Alfisti". Thank you everyone! :)
Lucky to make it! Refused to drive the car yesterday so it stayed clean - jumped into it this morning and as dead as a door nail! Got it going and then lucky I didn't have a head on in Sydney (me going the wrong way on a one way street and realising it too late). Was almost resigned to having to take the 'daily' to the Sunday Drive - the daily being a Hyundai Getz!
Sounds like the battery is on the way out, when they are reaching the end of their life, you get all sorts of niggling electrical problems, due to the various electrical components not getting enough volts, just make sure your battery terminals are clean, before you buy a new battery AND, you have the code for your radio, as when you disconect the battery, you have to put a code back into your radio, because it thinks it has been stolen, Colin.
Thanks for this Colin. Yes it does seem the battery is on the way out so this may be why I am having the tail light issue. One of the very experienced and knowledgeable Canberra Chapters had a look at the battery today and thought it could have been the original.
Quote from: Craig_m67 on July 23, 2012, 08:58:01 AM
Okay then.
Dim taillight that won't go out on one side is known symptom for a bad/dry solder joint on an series of three ICs in the circuit that detects if a bulb has blown. This circuit is on/in the tacho. Simplest fix is to just replace the tacho, unless your mechanic has exceptional skill with soldering small electronics (highly unlikely).
This issue causes the battery to continually drain, which will eventually leave you stranded.
The Tach is your problem. It's well known and documented on the net.
Until you get it sorted you will just go through batteries again and again and again (pattern here)
Removing the bulb from the RH brake lamp until you get a replacement will stop it going flat, although obviously causes road safety, user, legal issues etc.
You can read about it
Here (http://"http://forum.alfa156.net/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=39108&PN=1") from 2006.
Or here with a link to IC supplier if you have a handy electronics person (http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/alfa-147-156-and-gt/91834-rear-light-problem.html). It's the IC packages (square black spiders) on this board that fail
(http://img201.imageshack.us/img201/1235/revcounterleds.jpg)
It's a well known issue, with a simple fix (replace the tacho). I think its 3 philips head screws to get it out?
OK Craig, I believe you! :D Will get onto it right away re the tacho! Bit worried about doing it myself (even though it does look easy with diagram and photos etc). Do I get the mechanic or auto electrician to do it? Where are you - if you're close you could do it! (think of it as good practice) I'm in NSW near Sydney.
Hey Bellbird, just find an Alfa Romeo specialist and get them to fix it, as they have most likely done the job before, and are not practising on your car, if you go to an Auto Electrician, find one who knows Alfa's, ask a few N.S.W. Alfa club members, as in another subject, my brother's 147 had the battery fail on him..... after 11 years, Colin.
Going to see Tim at Zoo Autocraft in the Southern Highlands thanks to "The Canberra Chapter" and "Southern Highlands Alfisti"! He's getting the part second hand which is fine by me. Gives me an excuse for another drive!
Think I am going to have to join AROCA! :)
Doesn't look good with all these comments I am posting and not being a member!
Quote from: Bellbird on August 03, 2012, 02:01:14 PM
Think I am going to have to join AROCA! :)
Yes!
Good call Bellbird.
;D
Hi Bellbird,
Not sure if the paint colour or name issue has been resolved but in case it hasn't these links might help but they may confuse the issue further.
It seems that having a name is helpful or a code perhaps more so, the tricky part is some codes are identical but the name is different.
I can't explain that little twist, but have a look and it may be some help.
Another problem it seems is many or most colours have Italian names (understandable) but occasionally Alfa Romeo themselves anglicise the name or choose an english name completely, sometimes hybrids of Italian and other languages. It's also common for paint people in various countries to translate the Italian or hybrid name into their domicilliary language, this adds another layer of confusion as many Italian words don't quite translate precisely into english or I dare say other languages as well.
http://www.uniquecarsandparts.com.au/colour_codes_alfa_romeo.htm (http://www.uniquecarsandparts.com.au/colour_codes_alfa_romeo.htm)
http://www.touchuppaints.com.au/Alfa_Touch_Up_Paint-289.htm (http://www.touchuppaints.com.au/Alfa_Touch_Up_Paint-289.htm)
Cheers,
Andy
I have had my 156 for 4 years, read the Forum regulary, and didn't know about the rev counter shorting out flattening the battery, if it was me i would have just replaced the battery, not even thinking about the rev counter, you people out there with all your knowledge rock!, according to my workshop manual for the 33, in Australia we call rev counter a tacho, in Italy they call a tacho a rev counter, in Australia we call a dial for showing what speed you are doing a Speedo, in Italy, its called a tacho!, just be carefull when reading Italian wiring diagrams, Colin.
That's why I am going to get Mr Tim at Zoo to do all the work! Don't speak very much Italian! Not even going to ATTEMPT changing tacho's myself! :)
Too much invested in the car to stuff it up!
(Have found the colour changer! Gee, I'm a bit slow when it comes to colours!!!)
Don't think I'll use pink again - very hard to read!!!!
Have purchased, at great expense from Alfa Romeo dealers and touch up paint specialists, touch up kits with bottle and brush, but not a good match, went to Repco, looked at their touch up paint charts, and purchased a Mitsubishi color, and it matched perfect, could also try a panel beating supply paint shop, and get them to mix the paint to suit your car, get min amount, about 500 mls of Acrylic Lacquer, and buy a touch up bottle, as the car gets older and the paintwork fades, the touch up kits are of a slightly different color, Colin.
BTW - Paid the cash and faxed the form to become a member about 10 days ago but still not a member.... Richard!!!!! I want to look 'real' on this site as a full member! ;D ;D ;D
Quote from: Bellbird on August 14, 2012, 04:10:22 PM
...I want to look 'real' on this site as a full member! ;D ;D ;D
Just 61 posts to go then Bellbird ;D
And 85 for you! ;D
"The Tach is your problem. It's well known and documented on the net.
Until you get it sorted you will just go through batteries again and again and again (pattern here)" (Craig_m67)
Well, Crain_m67, you were right! Got a new tacho today AND a new serious battery and guess what, the problem is completely fixed! Took about 10 mins to change the tacho over (not me doing it). So, no more flat batteries for five or so years, hopefully! :)
Hey Bellbird, more detail, what sort of battery did you get, and whats the cold start cranking amps, and where did you get the rev counter, you buy it or your service provider, Colin.
I got Tim from Zoo Autocraft (there's a plug for you Tim ;D) to do it all and I trust him 10000%. Just better and easier if he does it all. He got a 'big' battery (can't remember the brand) but know it is the re McCoy and will last for ages. He also got the rev counter from an Alfa wrecker in Sydney and I know he got a gooden'. I recommend Tim to EVERYONE (even if you have to travel from VIC or TAS to get to him - ;D ;D ;D)
I was wondering if the rev counters have this problem of shorting out sending the battery flat, a second hand one will most likely do the same down the track, i was curious to find out if a new genuine Alfa Romeo rev counter has been modified, so it doesn't short out and send the battery flat, anyone know?, Colin.
Good point Col! Only time will tell I suppose. I just hope it isn't the case because I now have the serious battery. All working very well for now.
Everyone - Forgot to mention the ACT in my last post. Woo.....can't forget them! :o